Swing and Sway captures Carousel Stakes at Oaklawn Park

Westrock Stables LLC’s Swing and Sway, who began the 2018 Oaklawn season by winning the $125,000 American Beauty Stakes, ended her meet with a similar stakes winning performance in Saturday’s $150,000 Carousel Stakes before an on-track crowd of 20,000. The day was also highlighted by the annual Boat and Truck Giveaway that was won by Trevor Bulza of Bella Vista, AR.

With regular rider David Cabrera in the irons, Swing and Sway bid her time in third as even money favorite Vertical Oak held a short lead through early fractions of :22.32 and :46.10 through the first half mile. The winner, who had to check at the seven-eighths pole, angled three wide on the turn before making her move at the quarter pole and edging clear late to win by a half-length over the fast closing Thoughtless in a final time of 1:11.20 for six furlongs over a sloppy track. The favorite held on for third.  

“I was questioning the move at the quarter pole and then I was stating his (jockey David Cabrera’s) brilliance in the stretch,” winning trainer Ron Moquett said. “Trainer's play-by-play: ‘What are you doing? Oh, yeah, great, that worked great.’ Not only is she talented, but now she's improving with consistency. That could make for a really fun rest of the year.”

Swing and Sway, a 4-year-old Maclean’s Music filly, has now won five of 15 starts and earned $345,540. She returned $8.80, $3.60 and $2.40.

Moquett, who has won three stakes already this meet heading into some live chances during the Racing Festival of the South, is the trainer for the recently launched Oaklawn Racing Club. The Club is a low cost, educational glimpse into the life of a Thoroughbred owner and will take members through the purchase process on through the excitement of running at their home track during the 2019 live season. The cost is $500 and there are no other expenses. There are a limited number of memberships remaining and these can be purchased at www.Oaklawn.com.

Two races before the Carousel, Greg Giles and Hugh Robertson’s Glacken’s Ghost prevailed as the 2-1 favorite in the $100,000 Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes (Open Division). Ridden by Alex Canchari, Glacken’s Ghost finished 2 ¼ lengths in front of Chatmeupbaby in a final time of 1:47.05 for 1 1/16 miles over a sloppy track. Last year’s winner, Racer, finished third.

The Mac Robertson trainee returned $6, $4 and $2.40. The 5-year-old Smoke Glacken gelding improved his record to 5-3-2 in 16 starts and has earned $277,840.

Live racing resumes Sunday with a 1:30 p.m. first post. The final week of racing for the 2018 season will be Wednesday, April 11 – Saturday, April 14.