Klaravich, Amoss Claim and Retire Populist Politics
Populist Politics, a tough Louisiana-bred stakes winner who won for the 10th time in his 45-race on Wednesday night at Delta Downs, has been claimed for $4,000 and retired by original owner Klaravich Stable and trainer Tom Amoss. An earner of $653,396, the 8-year-old bay horse is still intact and was winning for the first time since Feb. 16, 2015 and only the second time in 12 starts since being claimed from Klaravich (Seth Klarman and Jeff Ravich) and William H. Lawrence for $20,000 on Dec. 29, 2014.
“It was initiated by Klaravich,” Amoss reported. “They texted me (Tuesday) and said he was in for $4,000. They said we should take him back and I put up half and they put up half and now we’ll retire him. He goes out a winner, which is really neat, and he’s really sound, despite his deteriorating performance.”
Bred by B. Wayne Hughes of Kentucky’s Spendthrift Farm, Populist Politics had a record of 33-8-8-8 for Amoss and Klaravich, including finishing first in six stakes and being awarded five of those following a disqualification in the 2011 $75,000 Crescent City Derby. Among his best victories were a 1¾-length victory in the 2010 $50,000 Louisiana Futurity at second asking, a 4½-length win the $75,000 Louisiana Showcase Mile and a 6½-length romp in the $60,000 Mr. Sulu Stakes.
In some of his top efforts Populist Politics placed in 11 stakes, including the Grade II $500,000 Super Derby in 2011. Some of the talented foes he clashed with include Tapizar, Prayer for Relief, Alternation, Redeemed and Sunbean. In arguably his best race, he nearly put an end to Louisiana Legend Star Guitar’s nine-race winning streak when losing by a head to the four-time state-bred Horse of the Year in the 2012 $90,000 Costa Rising Stakes.
Star Guitar would go on race once more and be retired to stud with 10 consecutive victories to cap his career.
“He’s going to retire a happy horse,” Amoss concluded. “He goes up to a farm in Ohio and they’ll retrain him and see what he wants to do, whether that’s do something else, or become a (racetrack) pony. Otherwise, he’ll live his life out eating grass and being a horse.”
WORK TAB (MON-THR)
Champion Untapable worked a strong five furlongs in 1:00.60 for trainer Steve Asmussen and owner-breeder Winchell Thoroughbreds. The daughter of Tapit is headed to the Grade II $300,000 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Mar. 19 to kick off her 2016 campaign.
LNJ Foxwoods’ Nickname worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 for trainer Steve Asmussen. The Grade I Frizette Stakes winner – fourth in the Breeders’ Cup – was second last out as the 1-2 favorite in the Listed $100,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 6.
Stoneway Farm’s last-out Grade II winner Ahh Chocolate, who will likely start at the current meet for trainer Neil Howard to kick off her 4-year-old campaign, worked five furlongs in a sharp 1:00.40.
Fox Hill Farm and Hill ‘N Dale Equine Holdings’ graded stakes winner Cassatt worked a bullet five furlongs in 1:00.20 for trainer Larry Jones.
Grade II winner Just Wicked continues her comeback for Winchell Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve Asmussen. The gray daughter of Tapit worked a half-mile in 49 flat.
Fox Hill Farm’s Larry Jones-trained multiple graded stakes winner Coup de Grace worked five furlongs in 1:00.60. The well-bred son of Tapit was fourth last out when stretching out in the Listed $75,000 Louisiana Stakes.
Brereton C. Jones’ Albano, a Grade III winner last seen finishing fourth in Grade III company, worked a half-mile in an easy 52 flat for trainer Larry Jones.
Lothenbach Stables’ multiple stakes winner Eden Prairie, second last out when shortening up in the $60,000 Mardi Gras Stakes on Feb. 9, worked five furlongs in 1:02.80. The daughter of Mizzen Mast is likely coming up on her swan song in her next start.
Bond Stables, Naber Racing, et al.’s Speightsong worked a half-mile in 50.20 for trainer Grant Forster. The stakes-winning half-brother to Canadian Horse of the Year Up With the Birds was last seen taking a tough allowance at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 6.
Galloping Gator’s 4-year-old well-bred colt Salengo, who blitzed his rivals over the sealed going on Feb. 15 on debut, worked a half-mile in 47.60 for trainer Jeff Englar.
Calumet Farm’s impressive grass graduate Gold Wing, trained by Steve Asmussen, worked five furlongs in 1:02 flat 13 days after sprinting away in the final furlong from fellow sophomores in a local 1 1/16-miles turf maiden special weight on Feb. 7.
Very highly regarded Inheritance once again worked well toward her 3-year-old debut, going five furlongs in 1:01.40. A 16-length easy winner of a one-mile maiden last out on Oct. 4 for trainer Steve Asmussen, the LNJ Foxwoods-owned Tapit filly is considered one of the best in a stacked Asmussen stable filled with quality sophomore fillies.
Source: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots