Mr. Big News makes headlines with an Oaklawn Stakes upset
Disappointed that Mr. Big News didn’t draw into the body of last month’s Louisiana Derby (G2) field, trainer Bret Calhoun sought out another spot hoping to figure out where the colt fits in the 3-year-old division.
Apparently, it’s in the Triple Crown series.
With a big rally under jockey Gabriel Saez, the Giant’s Causeway colt ran to a 45-1 upset Saturday of the $200,000 Oaklawn Stakes, which grants its winner a guaranteed spot in the Preakness Stakes and the top-three spots in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Mr. Big news was nowhere to be found as Gold Street launched from the gate to cut fractions of 22.07 and 45.47 seconds to open proceedings. But he wound up on the outside as the pace collapsed, going on to finish 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.89 over a sloppy track.
“He warmed up good and was on the muscle,” Saez said. “He didn’t break as sharp as I wanted, so I just let him be -- let him get into his own rhythm. When he hit the backstretch, he started moving and I said, ‘OK buddy, go on with it.'
"I kept track of the leaders. When we got to the top of the stretch, I swung him out into the clear and he found a different gear. He got the job done. I’m really pleased with that.”
Farmington Road, another horse left on the Louisiana Derby’s also-eligible list, ran on for second with co-favorite Taishan third after fading from the lead at the top of the lane.
The other top betting choice, Thousand Words, suffered his second straight defeat — and second loss in a row — after a stumbled at the start.
The Oaklawn Stakes ran for the second time Saturday. A season ago, it was the track’s feature on the first Saturday in May. Shifting dynamics due to the COVID-19 pandemic led Oaklawn officials to reset it as an Arkansas Derby prep, seeing Farmington Road and Taishan also guarantee their way into the May 2 race.
Chester Thomas’ Allied Racing campaigns Mr. Big News, who broke his maiden at fourth asking before finishing fifth in a division of Fair Grounds’ Risen Star (G2). Having last run on Feb. 15, the former $95,000 yearling purchase improved his record to 2-1-0 in six starts.