Subtle Indian Holds Off Bayerd to Take Gazebo

 

Subtle Indian, breaking from the rail, was the quickest from the gate and proceeded to lead his competition through early fractions of :22 and :45 2/5 for the first half mile. Jockey Chris Landeros gave the colt a breather around the turn and when the rider called on him in the stretch, the winner dug in gamely to hold off Bayerd by a half-length in a final time of 1:11 2/5 for six furlongs over a good track. Hebbronville made a mild rally to be third.

 

“He broke sharp and was very alert early on,” said Landeros. “He was going along nicely on the backside and I was able to give him a breather around the turn. He handled everything so well. He kicked on and gave me his all down the lane. I was proud of him for getting over this track. He’s worked over it a few times and they were mediocre, so I was really proud of his effort today.”

 

“It feels good, for sure,” trainer Robertino Diodoro said after winning his first Oaklawn Stakes in his first meet in Hot Springs. “He ran big today. I thought he dug in. I still don't think he really cared for the race track today. But, like (Jockey) Chris (Landeros) said, he dug in late when it counted.”

 

Diodoro said Subtle Indian, an Indian Charlie gelding, will be pointed for the $100,000 Bachelor Stakes April 10 where he will look to build on his $112,500 in career earnings.

 

Live racing resumes Sunday at Oaklawn with a 1:30 p.m. first post.