Oaklawn news: Whitmore gets back to work toward 2019 campaign

Several notable horses worked over a fast track Wednesday morning at Oaklawn Park, including multiple stakes winner Whitmore for co-owner/trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs.

Breezing for the first time since finishing second in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs, Whitmore covered a half-mile in 52.40 seconds moments after the track opened. Whitmore is scheduled to make his 2019 debut in the $150,000 Hot Springs Stakes March 9, the final major local prep for the $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) on April 13. Whitmore swept both races in 2017 and 2018.

Also breezing for the first time this year for Moquett were multiple stakes-placed Petrov and Frosted Ice, a stakes-winning 3-year-old colt. Petrov went a half-mile in :50.80. Frosted Ice went a half-mile in :49.80.

“Very pleased with all three,” Moquett said.

Moquett said he’s targeting an allowance race for Petrov’s comeback spot, with his major spring objective the inaugural $200,000 Oaklawn Mile for older horses May 3. Frosted Ice could make his 3-year-old debut in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) March 16, Moquett said.

Frosted Ice closed his 2-year-old campaign with a 6 ¼-length victory in the $150,000 Bertram F. Bongard Stakes for New York-breds Sept. 21 at Belmont Park.

“Trying to get to the Rebel, but just trying to get him back,” Moquett said. “Gave him a break. He’s a big horse. He writes his own story.”

The Rebel is the third and final major local prep for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) April 13.

Trainer Larry Jones gave Super Steed the green light for Monday’s $500,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds after the son of Super Saver worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.80 shortly after the track opened under Terry Thompson. Super Steed finished seventh in the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 25, Oaklawn’s first major Arkansas Derby prep.

“Everything went well,” Jones said of the work. “We’re going to try again and see if we can pick up off that first day.”

Jones said Thompson will have the mount for the 1 1/16-mile Southwest. Powerful Jan. 26 allowance winner Jersey Agenda, among several Southwest candidates for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, worked a half-mile in :50.60. 

Breezing after the break for trainer Mark Casse was 2018 Queen’s Plate winner Wonder Gadot. A finalist for a Sovereign Award as Canada’s top 3-year-old filly of 2018, Wonder Gadot went 5 furlongs in 1:01.20 under David Cohen.

In addition to beating males in the Queen’s Plate, Wonder Gadot finished second in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Oaklawn’s $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) last year. Wonder Gadot is unraced since finishing ninth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.

Finish Lines: Heartwood will be considered for the $150,000 Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn and $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct for his next start, co-owner/trainer James Chapman said Tuesday morning. Both 6-furlong races are March 9. The Kentucky-based Heartwood earned a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 94 for his half-length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 King Cotton Stakes for older sprinters. … Calumet Farm’s Bravazo, who won an allowance race at Oaklawn before winning the Risen Star Stakes and competing in all three Triple Crown races, worked a half-mile in :49 Wednesday. He is scheduled to be Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas’ first starter in the $12 million Dubai World Cup March 30.