Untapable Continues Preparations for Azeri Stakes

Champion Untapable worked 6 furlongs in 1:13 over a fast track Monday morning at Oaklawn in preparation for her scheduled 5-year-old debut in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 19. Three-time defending Oaklawn riding champion Ricardo Santana Jr. was aboard for the work that took place about shortly after track opened. 

The Tapit mare broke off several lengths behind stablemate Maximian, a 3-year-old male who finished fourth in an entry-level allowance race Feb. 19 at Oaklawn. She easily moved past Maximian on the outside entering the stretch and pulled away through the lane, recording splits of 23.80, 36.20 and 48.60 before galloping out 7 furlongs in 1:25.80, according to Oaklawn lead clocker Jim Hamilton. 

Maximian was credited with 5 furlongs in 1:02.20.

“The key is she worked well,” trainer Steve Asmussen said.

Asmussen said, weather permitting, Untapable will work again Monday morning at Oaklawn.

Florent Geroux is scheduled to ride Untapable in the Azeri, the final major local prep for the $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1)April 15. She ran second in last year's Azeri before winning the Apple Blossom. She won an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 3-year-old filly of 2014.

Finish Lines

There was no training Wednesday at Oaklawn because of heavy rain. ... Cosmic Evolution worked an easy half-mile in :52.60 Tuesday morning at Oaklawn in preparation for Saturday's $200,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3). Post positions for the Honeybee, the final major local prep for the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) April 9, will be drawn Wednesday. ... Multiple stakes winner Ivan Fallunovalot (quarter-crack) walked under tack Tuesday at Oaklawn as he prepares to return to the track for trainer Tom Howard of Hot Springs. Ivan Fallunovalot is pointing for the $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 10 at Oaklawn. ... Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride Far Right in the $350,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) March 19 at Oaklawn, trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs said. Ortiz is also scheduled to ride Whitmore for Moquett in the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) March 19. Far Right worked a half-mile in :50 Sunday morning at Oaklawn. ... Looks to Spare worked a half-mile in :49.40 Monday morning at Oaklawn for trainer Otabek Umarov. Looks to Spare is scheduled to make is 6-year-old debut in the Razorback.

Source: Oaklawn Park