Monday, February 14, 2011

Horse racing column: Heavy snowfall keeping Oaklawn quiet

Horse racing column: Heavy snowfall keeping Oaklawn quiet

Horse racing column: Heavy snowfall keeping Oaklawn quiet

Posted: 12 Feb 2011 12:32 AM PST



 By RICHARD LINIHAN Horse Racing
Published: 2/12/2011  2:29 AM
Last Modified: 2/12/2011  6:49 AM

Sometimes it seems like it's been that long since racing occurred at the Hot Springs, Ark., racetrack. Oaklawn is setting the kind of records it would rather not. Eight of the first 18 days of racing have been canceled due to heavy snow, including the last six in a row.

"Our track crew has been working the track since early this (Friday) morning, but because the temperatures are still hovering around freezing, the track just hasn't responded the way we would want," said assistant general manager David Longinotti. "We are all eager to get back to racing, but safety must come first."

Oaklawn already has added an additional race per day to try to make up for lost races. The eight lost days are a record for this track, which has been in service for more than 100 years. The previous record was six.

If racing resumes Saturday as expected with temperatures on the rise, the $75,000 Martha Washington Stakes is the feature race on the card. It is a 1-mile race for 3-year-old fillies.

Grandacious, a bay filly by Grand Slam, out of the Capote mare Kirsten Doll, ships in from Louisiana as the 2-1 favorite for the race. She is owned by Carl R. Moore Management and she started her career in Oklahoma. Trainer Bret Calhoun has tabbed jockey Jesse Campbell for the riding assignment.

Grandacious broke her maiden at Remington Park

in Oklahoma City last fall at second asking as the 4-5 favorite.

Triple Crown prep: The Triple Crown trail continues this weekend as the 3-year-olds in California and Florida continue their prep races toward the Kentucky Derby the first Saturday in May.

The $250,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes is the next step for horses on the West Coast that have aspirations of reaching Churchill Downs. Tapizar is the horse to beat in that race, and that could prove virtually impossible. This 3-year-old won the Sham Stakes by almost five lengths for trainer Steve Asmussen.

There are no stakes winners in the field to test Tapizar, but as is the case throughout every spring, there always seems to be a young first-time stakes runner that steals the glory at glorious odds.

It appeared Comma at the Top might be the horse to push Tapizar but he opted to run in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate in the Bay Area this weekend instead.

Original Print Headline: Snowfall keeping Oaklawn quiet


Richard Linihan is the marketing director for Fair Meadows of Tulsa.

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