OAKLAWN: 28,000 ON HAND TO SEE AMY’S CHALLENGE WIN AMERICAN BEAUTY STAKES

By Jennifer Hoyt —-

Amy’s Challenge; Oaklawn Park Photo

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019) – More than 28,000 fans took advantage of sunny skies and 50-cent corned beef sandwiches while Novogratz Racing Stable’s Amy’s Challenge took advantage of her front-running style to get a dominant victory in the $100,000 American Beauty Stakes on the first Saturday of the Oaklawn racing season.

“We had a tremendous opening weekend to start off an historic 2019 race season,” General Manager Wayne Smith said. “Our owners, trainers and jockeys were chomping at the bit to get the season started and they did not disappoint. What can you say about our horses? These athletes showed us the best racing in the country.”

A total of 48,000 fans turned out for the first two days of the Oaklawn season, which for the first time will run through Saturday, May 4, Kentucky Derby Day.

“Our fans came out in record numbers for opening weekend and we cannot thank them enough for their continued support of our racing program,” Smith said. “Without the fans Oaklawn would not be the gem in the south it is to horse racing. I also want to give a very special thank you to our team members. Many of whom worked tirelessly over the past eight months to get ready for this opening weekend.”

In the American Beauty, Amy’s Challenge vied for the early lead with Jessica Krupnick, but after running head-and-head through a first quarter mile in :21 2/5, she shook free powerfully with a half-mile in :44 2/5 in route to a 5 ¾-length romp, getting the six-furlong in 1:09 1/5. Cathedral Reader finished second and last year’s winner, Swing and Sway, finished third.

“She’s just a Cadillac,” said winning jockey Alex Canchari. “I was just a passenger on her.”

Amy’s Challenge, who also won Oaklawn’s Dixie Belle Stakes last year, improved her record to five wins from nine starts and she has now earned $299,156. The Artie Schiller filly returned $9, $5.20 and $4.80 as the 7-2 second choice.

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