Tapiture, Walt Prepare for Southwest

Oaklawn didn’t open its track Thursday morning for training in order to have it in tip top shape for racing, but that didn’t stop trainers Steve Asmussen and Chris Hartman from getting in final workouts for their Southwest hopefuls, who sent them out to work between the first and second races.

Asmussen’s Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Tapiture, who had been training in New Orleans, worked a half mile in :50 flat in his first effort over the Oaklawn surface.

“I loved it,” said Asmussen. “The horse went over the racetrack well. That’s what we were hoping for. He showed up fit. I just wanted to give him a little feel of the racetrack.”

Hartman worked Smarty Jones runner-up Walt a half-mile in company with maiden Skydive under jockey Ken Tohill. The Run Away and Hide colt covered the distance in 47 1/5.

“It was a good work,” said Hartman. “It wasn’t exactly how we had planned it, because the other horse was supposed to be in front to start, but Walt finished up well, which was what we were looking for. We’ll see how he is in the morning and make our final decision about the race.”