Oaklawn Barn Notes: Super Stock Exits Arkansas Derby Well; Heads to Kentucky Monday

By Robert Yates —-

Super Stock Exits Arkansas Derby Well; Heads to Kentucky Monday

Super Stock emerged in “fantastic” shape from his victory in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) Saturday at Oaklawn, Steve Asmussen, the colt’s Hall of Fame trainer, said Sunday morning.

Super Stock is scheduled to be flown early this week to Kentucky, Asmussen said, where the Dialed In colt will join the trainer’s string at Churchill Downs to begin preparing for the Kentucky Derby May 1.

Super Stock ($26.40) gave Asmussen his record-tying fifth Arkansas Derby victory, capturing the 1 1/8-mile race by 2 ½ lengths under Ricardo Santana Jr. Caddo River finished second, a head in front of 1-5 favorite and previously unbeaten Concert Tour.

Super Stock figures to be one of the Kentucky Derby’s feel-good stories since he was purchased and is co-owned by Asmussen’s father, Keith, 79, and received his early schooling at the family’s famed El Primero Training Center near Laredo, Texas.

Steve Asmussen’s oldest son, also named Keith, rode Super Stock in his first three career starts last summer and provided the jockey with his first career stakes victory in the $113,647 Texas Thoroughbred Futurity Aug. 11 at Lone Star Park. Keith Asmussen, 22, is scheduled to graduate in May from the University of Texas with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He had 61 mounts last year when he made his riding debut during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Steve Asmussen is on the cusp of becoming the winningest trainer in North American history, he has never won the Kentucky Derby in 21 starts.

“This horse is better than a movie, when you think about all of that,” Keith Asmussen said moments after his father’s latest Arkansas Derby victory.

Super Stock’s only previous victory came in the restricted Texas Thoroughbred Futurity, but the colt did run third, beaten 4 ¾ lengths by future Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality, in the $400,000 Breeders’ Futurity Oct. 3 at Keeneland. Super Stock, in his 3-year-old debut, was a well-beaten fourth behind Concert Tour in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) March 13 at Oaklawn. Super Stock breezed three times before the Arkansas Derby, including a 5-furlong bullet (1:00.20) March 29.

“Going into the race, dad said this horse had been touting himself,” Keith Asmussen said. “I think it was the perfect description.”

Steve Asmussen, heading toward his record-tying 11th Oaklawn training title, called the race setup perfect for Super Stock, who sat just off Caddo River’s demanding splits of :22.62 for the opening quarter-mile, :46.51 for a half-mile and 1:11.25 for three-quarters of a mile.

“Those kind of fractions will sort out a lot,” Asmussen said.

The final time over a fast track was 1:50.92. A $70,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate, Super Stock won for the second time in eight lifetime starts to increase his earnings to $804,762. He earned a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 92, a career high.

“He’s improving a lot,” Santana said after riding Super Stock for the third time. “He’s growing up. I’m really, really happy with that horse right now.”

Asmussen previously won the Arkansas Derby in 2002 (Private Emblem), 2007 (Curlin), 2016 (Creator) and last year’s first division with Basin, who was elevated to first following the disqualification of Charlatan for a medication violation. The case is under appeal.

Clearly, Asmussen’s fifth Arkansas Derby victory was different. It was a family affair. In addition to his father, mother, wife and three sons, Asmussen said his mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law were among those present to cheer the family horse.

“Can’t even remember the last time we were all at the same race,” an emotional Asmussen said following his record 95th career Oaklawn stakes victory. “Meant to be.”

Super Stock collected 100 points for his Arkansas Derby victory and has 109 overall to rank third on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard compiled by Churchill Downs. The Arkansas Derby offered 170 points to the top four finishers (100-40-20-10) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. The 1 ¼-mile race is limited to 20 starters, with starting preference given to the top 18 point earners in designated races like the Arkansas Derby. The top point earners on the European and Japan Road the Kentucky Derby will receive invitations.

Essential Quality, winner of Oaklawn’s $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 27, has 140 points to rank No. 1. Concert Tour (70) is No. 9 and Caddo River (50) is No. 13.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said Concert Tour would be sent to Churchill Downs, but was non-committal about a start in the Kentucky Derby. Baffert has won the Kentucky Derby a record-tying six times. Baffert said in a text message early Sunday afternoon that Concert Tour came out of the race well and will ship to Kentucky Monday or Tuesday.

“We’ll see how he works back,” Baffert said immediately following the Arkansas Derby. “Churchill, I don’t like to run there unless they’re going to be really live. We’ll see how he comes out of this race and see how he trains forward. I didn’t really want a hard race out of it, but we still wanted to win. I’ve won Derbies off of losses. You learn about your horse and see if there is improvement to be made. The horse will tell us.”

Caddo River came out of the Arkansas Derby in “great shape,” Jorgito Abrego, who oversees trainer Brad Cox’s Oaklawn division, said Sunday morning. Cox said immediately following the Arkansas Derby that he would consult with John Ed Anthony of Hot Springs, Caddo River’s owner/breeder, before making a decision regarding the Kentucky Derby.

“Talk it over with Mr. John Ed and come up with a game plan here in the near future,” Cox said. “We’ll ship him back to Churchill, one way or another, and either prepare for the Kentucky Derby, I assume he’ll get in with (50 points), if we choose that path or possibly the Preakness. We’ll talk to the boss and see what he thinks. More than anything, see how he comes out of it over the next couple of days.”

Cox also trains Essential Quality.

It’s On

Shortly after weights were released early Saturday afternoon, trainer Kenny McPeek said champion Swiss Skydiver “absolutely” would return to Oaklawn for a showdown with champion Monomoy Girl in the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles April 17.

“We’re coming with a beast,” McPeek said.

Post positions for the Apple Blossom and the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G1) for older horses April 17 will be drawn Tuesday. Monomoy Girl was assigned top weight of 124 pounds for the Apple Blossom, 2 pounds more than Swiss Skydiver.

In her first start against older horses, notably Monomoy Girl, Swiss Skydiver finished seventh in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 7 at Keeneland after stumbling at the start of the 1 1/8-mile race. The Distaff was a weight-for-age race, with Monomoy Girl carrying equal top weight of 124 pounds. Swiss Skydiver carried 121.

“Fair enough,” McPeek said, referring to the Apple Blossom weights. “After this race, we’ll have to give her weight then.”

Swiss Skydiver earned an Eclipse Award as the country’s champion 3-year-old filly of 2020 following a coast-to-coast campaign that saw the daughter of Daredevil capture 5 of 10 starts, including the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn, $200,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G2) at Santa Anita, $200,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) at Gulfstream Park and the $500,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. Swiss Skydiver also toppled males, including future Horse of the Year Authentic, in the Preakness – the third leg of the revamped 2020 Triple Crown – Oct. 3 at Pimlico under two-time Oaklawn riding champion Robby Albarado.

Swiss Skydiver launched her 2021 campaign with a sharp 2 ¾-length victory under Albarado in the $300,000 Beholder Mile (G1) March 13 at Santa Anita.

McPeek said Swiss Skydiver will be vanned from Churchill Downs, where she worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 Saturday morning over a fast track, “probably” arriving Tuesday night “as long as the weather’s clear when she can travel.”

“Robby Albarado’s coming down to get on her every day,” McPeek said. “My regular team will be with her.”

Two-time Eclipse Award winner Monomoy Girl completed major preparations for the Apple Blossom with a half-mile work in company just after the track opened Sunday morning at Oaklawn for trainer Brad Cox.

Monomoy Girl had been scheduled to breeze Saturday morning, but the work was postponed because of an off track. Working over a fast track under regular rider Florent Geroux, Monomoy Girl went in :47.60 and galloped out 5 furlongs in :59.60 and 6 furlongs in 1:12.80, according to clockers. Monomoy Girl (on the outside) worked with stablemate Owendale, a millionaire graded stakes-winning male who is scheduled to run in the Oaklawn Handicap. Monomoy Girl started about a length behind Owendale and finished about a length ahead.

“Just great, as usual,” Geroux said. “Just maintenance – nice and easy – and finished up very strong. Seemed like the track was a little quick this morning. She handled it perfectly. Very pleased with her and just can’t wait for next Saturday.”

Monomoy Girl will be making her first start since winning the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) Feb. 28 at Oaklawn in her 2021 debut. She was the county’s champion 3-year-old filly of 2018 and champion older dirt female last year. Overall, Monomoy Girl has won 14 of 16 lifetime starts.

Multiple graded stakes winner Letruska, also ticketed for the Apple Blossom, worked just before the first surface renovation break Sunday morning at Oaklawn for trainer Fausto Gutierrez.

The speed Letruska recorded a half-mile bullet (:47.20) and galloped 5 furlongs in :59.40, according to clockers, with a last quarter-mile in :23.

“I was looking for an easy work,” Gutierrez said. “When I checked the time, I think she went fast. She’s got a lot of speed. I think it’s OK and she’s in good form.”

Gutierrez said three-time reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. would have the mount in the Apple Blossom. Letruska (118 pounds) was the only other probable listed by the Oaklawn racing department Sunday morning. Letruska (12 for 17 overall) finished second, beaten a head by Shedaresthedevil, in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 13 at Oaklawn. Shedaresthedevil captured Oaklawn’s $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) and the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) last year for Cox and co-owner Staton Flurry of Hot Springs. Swiss Skydiver was second in the Kentucky Oaks, the nation’s biggest race for 3-year-old fillies.

The Oaklawn racing department listed nine probables Sunday morning for the Oaklawn Handicap – Express Train (122 pounds), Fearless (119), Owendale (119), Enforceable (118), Silver State (118), Warrior’s Charge (118), Rated R Superstar (116), Silver Prospector (116) and Guest Suite (115).

Express Train finished second, beaten a half-length, in the $400,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) March 6 at Santa Anita for trainer John Shirreffs, who won the Apple Blossom twice (2008 and 2010) with future Hall of Famer Zenyatta.

Silver State has won four consecutive starts for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, including Oaklawn’s $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes Jan. 23 and $500,000 Essex Handicap March 13.

More Milestones For Santana

Seven-time Oaklawn riding champion Ricardo Santana Jr. reached three more milestones Saturday after riding three winners – all for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen – including Super Stock in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1).

Santana became the ninth rider in Oaklawn history to reach 600 career victories when favored Mighty Mischief ($3.60) won the 10th race, a first-level allowance sprint for 3-year-olds. Santana recorded No. 601 a little more than an hour later when Super Stock ($26.40) captured the Arkansas Derby.

Santana broke his single-season Oaklawn record for purse earnings after Super Stock collected $600,000 for winning the Arkansas Derby. Super Stock is trained by his main client, Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, and co-owned by Asmussen’s father, Keith. Santana finished Saturday, Day 38 of the 51-day meeting, with $4,404,778 in purse earnings. He set the previous record ($4,317,757) in 2019. The Arkansas Derby victory represented Santana’s 300th at Oaklawn for Asmussen.

“Steve is the trainer that opened the door for me since I was a little kid,” Santana said during training hours Sunday morning. “It worked out perfect because of his mom and dad. I’m really blessed to be the one to win the Arkansas Derby for him.”

A week after becoming the first rider in Oaklawn history to reach $30 million in career purse earnings when he guided the Asmussen-trained Pauline’s Pearl to victory in the $600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies, Santana surpassed $31 million with Super Stock’s victory.

Santana, 28, was Oaklawn’s leading rider in 2013 – 2018 and 2020. He entered Sunday with 55 victories, 19 more than runner-up David Cabrera.

“So far, so good,” Santana said. “Horses are running well. A of trainers have given me help here. I’m really blessed to be doing what I’m doing right now.”

The Arkansas Derby was Santana’s 44th career Oaklawn stakes victory. He has won the Arkansas Derby three times.

Saturday Rewind

It was a happy homecoming for three horses on the Arkansas Derby undercard.

C Z Rocket, By My Standards and Edgeway, all previous winners at Oaklawn, returned to capture stakes races Saturday.

C Z Rocket ($6) was a two-length winner over champion Whitmore in the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) for older horses under Florent Geroux.

The Southern California-based C Z Rocket won for the seventh time in eight starts since trainer Peter Miller, on behalf of owner Tom Kagele, claimed the gelding for $40,000 last April at Oaklawn.

C Z Rocket’s only loss during that span was a runner-up finish behind Whitmore in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 7 at Keeneland. C Z Rocket returned to beat Whitmore in the $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes March 13 at Oaklawn and again in the Count Fleet. C Z Rocket, a 7-year-old City Zip gelding, has bankrolled $1,311,641 after winning 11 of 25 career starts.

“It’s a tremendous story,” said Miller, who was making his first trip to Oaklawn. “Really, Tom Kagele, my owner, picked him out, so I’ve got to give all the credit to Tom.”

Miller said he has “no idea” where C Z Rocket will resurface, but the year-end goal is a return to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, this time at Del Mar, the trainer’s backyard.

By My Standards ($6.80) beat favored Rushie by a nose in the $400,000 Oaklawn Mile for older horses under Gabriel Saez. By My Standards races for trainer Bret Calhoun and co-owners Allied Racing Stable LLC (Kentuckian Chester Thomas) and Spendthrift Farm.

By My Standards is a four-time Grade 2 winner, including the $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap for older horses last May at Oaklawn. The son of 5-year-old son of Goldencents, who stands at Spendthrift, was making his first start since a seventh-place finish in the $500,000 Clark Stakes (G1) Nov. 27 at Churchill Downs. He was based this winter at Fair Grounds.

By My Standards’ other Grade 2 victories have come in the $1 million Louisiana Derby in 2019 at Fair Grounds, $400,000 New Orleans Classic Stakes in 2020 at Fair Grounds and the $400,000 Alysheba Stakes in 2020 at Churchill Downs.

“If you look at his record, he’s won all over the country,” Calhoun said. “He does not have to take his racetrack with him. He seems to adapt to wherever we take him. He’s just got a great mind and is a very good talent.”

Calhoun said the 2021 goal for By My Standards is a Grade 1 victory. The trainer said Oaklawn Mile is the first step in trying to get there.

“A lot of the Grade 1s aren’t until a little bit later in the year,” Calhoun said. “We’ll probably find ourselves going somewhere in the meantime. We just wanted to get this race under our belt and just kind of map out a schedule from there.”

Calhoun said next-race plans are pending for By My Standards, a career winner of $2,069,430.

Edgeway ($4.60) beat favored Frank’s Rockette by three-quarters of a length in the $250,000 Carousel Stakes for older female sprinters.

Edgeway (4 for 6 overall) was making her first Oaklawn start since a five-length career-debut victory in February 2020. Edgeway, a 4-year-old daughter of Competitive Edge, has been based this year in Southern California with trainer John Sadler.

“This was really a good win for her today to get one under her belt,” said Sadler, who has a string at Oaklawn again this year. “Really good stakes win. She might even run on a little bit. I’m talking one time around two turns this year. Keep an eye on the fall. But so far, so good.”

Edgeway’s first career stakes victory pushed her career earnings to $307,200 for Sadler’s major client, Hronis Racing LLC (Kosta Hronis).

Finish Lines

Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel recorded his 972nd career Oaklawn victory in Saturday’s first race aboard favored Navy Seal ($5.60) for trainer Tom Swearingen. The maiden special weights sprint was for Arkansas-breds, 3 and up. Swearingen said Saturday afternoon that he will decide in the next two or three days whether Navy Seal will run in the $150,000 Rainbow Stakes for 3-year-old state-bred sprinters Friday at Oaklawn. Navy Seal, among nine horses entered, is a half-brother to 2015 Rainbow winner Weast Hill. Navy Seal collected an additional $5,580 (10 percent of the winner’s share of the purse) for winning without Lasix as part of Oaklawn’s Lasix-free Bonus Program. … Jon Court entered Sunday with 699 career Oaklawn victories. Court is trying to become the sixth rider in Oaklawn history to reach 700 victories. … Joshua Morales, Oaklawn’s leading apprentice jockey this year, became a journeyman Friday. Morales had eight victories at the meet through Saturday.

-30-