Oaklawn news: Pletcher horses arrive for Arkansas Derby Day
Three horses for trainer Todd Pletcher arrived Monday afternoon to Oaklawn Park following a flight that originated in south Florida, where they have been based this winter and spring.
Pletcher is scheduled to start Unbridled Mo in Friday’s $700,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) for older fillies and mares, Hedge Fund in Saturday’s $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses and unbeaten Magnum Moon in Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1), a major 2018 Kentucky Derby prep.
Unbridled Mo, who has never started at Oaklawn, is coming off a fourth-place finish in the $200,000 Royal Delta Stakes (G3) Feb. 19 at Gulfstream Park. Royal Delta winner Martini Glass returned to win the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 17, the final major local prep for the Apple Blossom.
Hedge Fund returns to Hot Springs after a sharp 2 3/4-length victory in the $300,000 Essex Handicap March 17, the final major local prep for the Oaklawn Handicap.
Magnum Moon (3 for 3 overall) was a 3 ½-length winner of the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) March 17. The Rebel is the final major local prep for the Arkansas Derby.
Magnum Moon trained Tuesday morning during a special period immediately after the renovation break, approximately 10 minutes, designated for Racing Festival of the South horses.
A Southern California-based flight is scheduled to arrive Wednesday, carrying, among others, champion Unique Bella (Apple Blossom), Grade 1 winner and millionaire Accelerate (Oaklawn Handicap) and Rebel runner-up Solomini (Arkansas Derby).
Post positions were to be drawn Tuesday for the Apple Blossom and Friday’s $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies.
Post positions for the Arkansas Derby and Oaklawn Handicap are to be drawn Wednesday.
Amy’s Challenge Works Bullet in Advance of Fantasy
It looks like they’ll be chasing Amy again in the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies Friday at Oaklawn after the multiple stakes winner completed major preparations with a half-mile bullet workout in :46.60 over a fast track Monday morning for trainer Mac Robertson.
Clockers caught Amy’s Challenge covering her last quarter-mile in a swift :22 and change” and galloping out 5 furlongs in :58.60 and 6 furlongs in 1:12.80.
Amy’s Challenge, in her two-turn debut, opened a long lead on the backstretch of the $200,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) March 10 before being collared late by Cosmic Burst and suffering her first career loss. Amy’s Challenge had won her first three career starts, including the $125,000 Dixie Belle Stakes Jan. 20 in her 3-year-old debut.
Robertson also worked Tahoe Dream and Wynn Time Monday morning in advance of scheduled starts in the Fantasy and Saturday’s $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3), respectively.
Tahoe Dream covered a half-mile in :48.80. Wynn Time went a half-mile in :48.40.
“I thought they all went pretty good,” Robertson said Tuesday morning.
Robertson said he believes Amy’s Challenge will be ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, Tahoe Dream by Alex Canchari and Wynn Time by Marcelino Pedroza.
The Bachelor
Thursday’s $150,000 Bachelor Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters has drawn a field of seven, including even-money program favorite Mitole for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.
Probable post time for the 6-furlong Bachelor, the ninth of 10 races, is 5:10 p.m. (Central). Doors open Thursday at 11 a.m., with first post 1:30 p.m.
The projected Bachelor field from the rail out: Mitole, Ricardo Santana Jr. to ride, 119 pounds, 1-1 in program; Bourne in Nixa, Ramon Vazquez, 9-2, 119; O’L Red, Richard Eramia, 117, 20-1; Supreme Aura, Gary Stevens, 117, 4-1; Tin Badge, Marlon St. Julien, 122, 15-1; Mr. Jagermeister, Andrew Ramgeet, 119, 4-1; and Best of Greeley, Fernando De La Cruz, 119, 12-1.
Bourne in Nixa and Mitole finished 1-2, respectively, in the $125,000 Gazebo Stakes Feb. 24. Mitole has won two races at the meeting by a combined 17 lengths.
Finish Lines
The track was rated fast for workouts Tuesday morning. … Quip, under trainer Rodolphe Brisset, galloped approximately 1 ½ miles before the renovation break Tuesday morning in advance of Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1). Quip has won three of four career starts, including the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) March 10 at Tampa Bay Downs in his last start. … Shortleaf Stable’s Plainsman remains under consideration for the Arkansas Derby, trainer Will VanMeter said Tuesday morning. Plainsman broke his maiden Jan. 20 and finished third, beaten 3 ½ lengths by Arkansas Derby candidate Tenfold, in a first-level allowance/optional claimer March 18. VanMeter said C.J. McMahon would have the mount on Plainsman in the Arkansas Derby. Plainsman is also a candidate for an allowance race and Saturday’s $150,000 Northern Spur Stakes, VanMeter said. … Tenfold, unbeaten in two starts, worked a half-mile in :49.60 Monday morning for Hall of Fame trainerSteve Asmussen. … Higher Power, who worked a half-mile in :49.60 Monday morning, will “most likely” make his next start in the Northern Spur, trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel said Sunday morning. … Oaklawn is scheduled to announce its 2019 racing dates Wednesday.