Oaklawn Stakes Recaps: Rebel, Azeri, Essex

By Jennifer Hoyt —-

MALAGACY STAYS UNDEFEATED IN REBEL STAKES

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Friday, March 17, 2017) – It may have been a different horse, but trainer Todd Pletcher got the same result when he sent an undefeated, yet unproven 3-year-old from South Florida to Oaklawn for the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2). One month after One Liner won the $500,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) in his stakes debut Feb. 20, his stablemate Malagacy was equally as impressive when he pressed the pace and then drew off to win Saturday’s race by two lengths.

With 11-races on the card under picture-perfect weather conditions, Oaklawn had a Rebel Day crowd of 36,000. Total handle for the day was $10,752,313.15, a Rebel Day record.

Sumaya U.S. Stable’s Malagacy, under jockey Javier Castellano, sat just off of Smarty Jones winner Uncontested as he led the field through opening fractions of :23 and :47 for the first half mile. The winner made his move late in the turn for home and edged away from 10 other foes to win the 1 1/16 mile race in 1:43 over a fast track. Sonneteer, a $112.30-1 longshot from California, had been shuffled back early, but steadily advanced up the rail after entering the stretch to narrowly get second by a nose over Untrapped. It was another nose back to Petrov in fourth.

“He showed today that he can definitely go around two turns and I am very proud of him,” trainer Todd Pletcher said by phone from his Florida base. “He showed good tactical speed yet he rated very kindly, which we thought he would do. We were trying a new distance and he was stepping up in class against some nice, seasoned horses so I was very, very pleased with and proud of his effort.”

Silver Dust, fourth in Southwest, had another troubled trip in the Rebel after breaking last and was fifth. He was followed by Lookin at Lee, Appalachian Gem, Uncontested, Royal Mo, American Anthem and Silver Bullion.

American Anthem, the 8-5 favorite, never seemed comfortable in the race as he sought to give trainer Bob Baffert his seventh Rebel victory in eight years.

“He slipped really bad leaving there in behind and stayed that way the whole race,” jockey Mike Smith said of American Anthem. “He just struggled for whatever reason. I was OK as long as we were all slow. As soon as we had to pick it up, I would give him his head and his legs just went everywhere.”

The Rebel Stakes was the third race in Oaklawn’s series culminating in the $1 million Arkansas Derby April 15. Pletcher said the 1 1/8-mile race would likely be the next start for Malagacy.

“The Arkansas Derby would be the logical next step,” Pletcher said. “We’ll bring him home to Palm Beach Downs and see how he bounces out of it. The Arkansas Derby timing wise would be good, and getting a mile-and-an-eighth race under his belt would also be beneficial. That would be Plan A, but in this business we all know that sometimes you have to call some audibles. Right now that’s what the thinking is.”

Malagacy, a chestnut son of 2011 Preakness Stakes winner Shackleford, is now a perfect three for three and has now earned $586,800. The victory earned him 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Debry and places him fourth of the list of 20 possible starters in the race.

Sonneteer earned 20 points for second, Untrapped earned 10 for second and Petrov earned 5 for fourth. Untrapped, who previously had 24 points, now sits seventh on the list with 34 and Petrov is now 17th with 13.

Live racing resumes Sunday at Oaklawn with a 1:30 p.m. first post. After this tomorrow there are just 16 more racing days remaining before the season ends April 15 on Arkansas Derby Day.

$900,000 Rebel Stakes Quotes (G2)

Winning trainer Todd Pletcher, Malagacy – “He showed today that he can definitely go around two turns and I am very proud of him. He showed good tactical speed yet he rated very kindly, which we thought he would do. We were trying a new distance and he was stepping up in class against some nice, seasoned horses so I was very, very pleased with and proud of his effort.”

“We wanted to make sure we got to the first turn in good position. He didn’t break super sharply but he was able to recover pretty quickly and get himself into pretty much the spot where we thought he would be, which was tracking Uncontested. The first quarter was solid but then they kind of slowed it down in the second quarter and it was a good honest pace from there on out.”

“He was so impressive in his first two starts that (sending him to the Rebel) wasn’t a question of talent. it was just a question of handling different things and one of those was shipping from his Florida base to Hot Springs, and he handled that well. Of course, the other questions were stretching out around two turns and stepping up into graded stakes company. We were very confident in the way the horse was training. He had been training very well. He had shown us in his breezes that the added distance wouldn’t be an issue but we just don’t don’t know until they do it. There’s some stamina in his pedigree, but he’s also a very quick and a very fast horse.

“The great thing he’s got going for him is a beautiful disposition and he’s very ratable and he’s fast. That’s a great combination to have.

“The Arkansas Derby would be the logical next step. We’ll bring him home tomorrow to Palm Beach Downs and see how he bounces out of it. The Arkansas Derby timing wise would be good, and getting a mile-and-an-eighth race under his belt would also be beneficial. That would be Plan A, but in this business we all know that sometimes you have to call some audibles. Right now that’s what the thinking is.”

Winning jockey Javier Castellano, Malagacy – “He doesn’t do anything wrong, very impressive the way he did it today. I rode with a lot of confidence. He’s such a great horse. Every single race he’s been impressive. Todd (Pletcher), he did a great job with the horse, going long and stepping up in class and he still showed up and won the race. I give all the credit to Mr. Pletcher.

(Now that he’s run two turns, what is he better at? Sprinting or going long?) The way he did it today, very impressive, I think there’s no question he likes to go far. He’s well bred, and he has a good trainer and is a joy to ride.”

Keith Desormeaux, second-place trainer of Sonneteer – “I’m not going to stand here and say that I knew he could do it when he’s sitting there at 100-1, which I can understand. But, the horse has been running quality races in California against quality competition. I love the setup, backing up to seven-eighths and then stretching out again. And physically he was doing so well, I had to give him a shot. Plus with the encouragement of Mr. Brad Kelley with Calumet Farm, we had to do it.”

(Agreed that with timing to Kentucky Derby couldn’t wait on him trying to knock out that maiden win) “He showed glimpses with his physical appearance and the way he works effortlessly in a class manner. There’s only one Derby, only one time of year to prep them for the Derby. It was time to prove it.”

“We got a favorable trip along the rail. It looks like Eramia thought about coming out and opted to stay on the rail. He was getting kind of bogged down, and then the horse to his outside bumped him. Richard said he rebroke when he got bumped, so that’s a nice sign.”

(Said he’d been thrilled if had lost photo for second). “You know it. We just improved the value of the mare that I’m sure Mr. Kelley owns. She’s now graded-stakes placed. Thing is, she was a nose of being away from being fourth. So we got lucky. There’s a lot of luck involved, but the horse also earned it.”

(Said Arkansas Derby is quite possible “but there is going to be some discussion. We’ll see how he comes back. But the horse has always been very resilient. He holds his weight and is a good doer.”

Richard Eramia, second-place jockey of Sonneteer – “This horse ran big. The race setup perfect for him, because there was a lot of speed in the race and it was a really tough race. I watch all the replays of this horse and he tries hard every race, and when you get a horse that will try this hard he will run some good races.”

Steve Asmussen, third-place trainer of Untrapped – “Untrapped looked like he showed the effects of me wheeling him back. He got a little light late, but he’s a good horse. We’ll plan on staying here for the Arkansas Derby with him. Lookin At Lee, I’ll weigh between the Arkansas Derby and the Blue Grass, with him having run well in the Breeders’ Futurity there last fall (at Keeneland).”

(It was noted that he was third in the Rebel last year with Creator, who went on to win the Arkansas Derby and Belmont) “You’re right. Part of it is it’s hard to be good enough, and it’s really hard to stay around. Both of these horses have been very durable and sound to this point. I think Untrapped will appreciate a little more time between races, but you watch the replay and I’ll debate whether putting blinkers on him or not. You can see where he dropped the bridle down the backside, and it forced him to start holding position. But it was his first race here, and the kickback being different. I’ll see how he trains, that is an option (blinkers). And Lookin At Lee, I think he just needs more ground.”

On Terra Promessa (fifth as heavy favorite in the Azeri): “That was a debacle. You’ve got to get along with her, you just do. Can’t fight with her. She knows who she wants to be, and that was not good.”

Mike Langford, owner of third-place Untrapped: “I think three weeks is what I got us. We did a lot in three weeks. He ran a career Beyer (speed figure, when second in there Feb. 25 Risen Star at the Fair Grounds) and came back here. That’s asking a lot. He ran great. At the top of the lane, I thought he was going to win, to be honest with you.”

Irad Ortiz, Jr., third-place jockey of Untrapped – “He ran well. He ran so well. He got beat by a good horse, but he was moving well and did everything right. He is a nice horse I think.”

Ron Moquett, fourth-place trainer of Petrov – “Not the trip I wanted. We don’t get a chance to ever get clear. We get banged around there and we get beat for second by a nose. You don’t want to run fourth when you run second by a nose.”

Jose Ortiz, fourth-place jockey of Petrov – “I think we got a good trip. When I hit the quarter pole I felt like I had a lot of horse. I tried to keep up and follow Javier, and I had enough room. As soon as we entered the stretch he switch leads and I had plenty of room to go on and he just stayed steady there. Tough beat for 2nd getting beat by a head.”

Assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes, American Anthem, 10th as favorite – “I don’t know. The horse, he just struggled. He didn’t break as sharp as I thought he would. Had a lot of speed in the race, also. Mikey just said he struggled a bit with the track. Regroup and head back to California and keep searching for a Derby horse.”

Jockey Mike Smith, American Anthem, 10th as favorite – “Slipped really bad leaving there in behind and stayed that way the whole race. Just struggled for whatever reason. I was OK as long as we were all slow. As soon as we had to pick it up, I would give him his head, legs just went everywhere.”

STREAMLINE PULLS UPSET IN AZERI;
FAVORITE MOR SPIRIT WINS ESSEX HANDICAP

The third time was the charm for Streamline as she finally turned the tables on rival and favored Terra Promessa in the 31st running of $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) while defeating five other rivals at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.

Sent off at 13-1 by the enthusiastic Rebel Stakes Day crowd of more than 36,000, the 5-year-old Streamline sat off the pace set by She Maybee Wild up the backstretch while steadily advancing and then took over as the field of older fillies and mares turned for home. Trained by Brian Williamson and ridden confidently by Chris Landeros, she increased her position with an eighth of a mile to go and then kicked clear to cross the wire in 1:43:67 for the 1 1/6th mile on a fast track.

StarLadies Eskenformoney, who is conditioned by Todd Pletcher and had Javier Castellano in the irons, tried to catch the winner in the lane but the 7-2 second choice in the wagering was forced to settle for second by one length. The Brad Cox-trained Tiger Moth, dispatched at 31-1, was another half-length behind.

Stonestreet Stables’ homebred, multiple graded stakes winner Terra Promessa entered the Azeri undefeated in five prior tries at the track, as the winner of the Pippin Stakes and Bayakoa Stakes (G3) in both of her 2017 efforts, and she had never before been beaten at the distance. But the Steve Asmussen conditioned 4-year-old daughter of Curlin, who was dispatched at 1-5, encountered a troubled trip under Irad Ortiz, Jr. and could do fare no better than fifth.

“She just didn’t show up,” said a disappointed Ortiz

Streamline, who was third behind Terra Promessa in both the Pippin and the Bayakoa earlier in the season, is now a two-time stakes Oaklawn stakes winner after capturing the 2016 Pippin. The daughter of Straight Line was bred in Illinois by Nancy Vanier and is owned by Vanier and Cartwright Thoroughbreds and has now won seven of 17 lifetime starts and finished in the money in 16 of those 17 efforts.

“Break good and don’t let the favorite get loose on the lead,” was what Williamson instructed his rider. “She broke great. It looked like the favorite didn’t break as good and was kind of boxed in. I thought Chris rode her great.”

“I had a great trip,” said Landeros,” The outside post was kind of in our favor today. I through Irad was going to go a little bit with his horse. Terra Promessa had the inside and we took advantage of it. My horse runs hard every time. She deserves a chance every single race. She’s little, but she’s so game. She’s very, very game.”

The always consistent Streamline increased her bankroll to $601,566, and Williamson said that if all goes well from here, the Apple Blossom (G1) here on April 14 is her next target.

The complete order of finish behind Streamline, Eskenformeoney and Tiger Moth was Power of Snunner, Terra Promessa, Miss Mo Kelly and She Maybee Wild.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert sent Mor Spirit from his Southern California base in search of a little class relief, and the 4-year-old colt found it in the 69th edition of the Essex Handicap at Oaklawn, when the prohibitive 1-2 favorite bested a tough field of seven others aged four and up.

Mor Spirit, who was making his third start of the year after competing in the Malibu Stakes (G1) and the San Antonio Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita, covered the 1 1/16 mile on a fast track in 1:41.62 under Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith to prevail by 2 1/2 length on the fast Oaklawn strip The final time for Michael Lund Peterson’s son of Eskendereya was the fastest the Essex has been run in 30 years.

Nonetheless it wasn’t easy for Mor Spirit, who was challenged into the far turn and didn’t get his head in front until the field turned for home. He dug down deep under steady urging while Domain’s Rap, a 9-year-old gelding who was making the 63rd start of his career and was ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, closed strongly down the stretch to just nose out the Todd Pletcher-trained Madefromlucky and jockey Javier Castellano.

“He ran great, ain’t no doubt about it. He’s 9 years old. We think the world of him. He’s a good horse,” said Federico Villafranco, the trainer of Domain’s Rap.

The Pennsylvania-bred Mor Spirit improved to 4-5-0 from 10 starts and increased his earnings to $886,400.

Following Mor Spirit, Domain’s Rap and Madefromlucky to the wire were Dazzling Gem, Secret Passage, Shotgun Kowboy and Dalmore.

$350,000 Azeri Stakes Quotes (G2)

Winning trainer Brian Williamson, Streamline – “‘Break good and don’t let the favorite get loose on the lead’ were my instructions. She broke great. Looked like the favorite didn’t break as good and was kind of boxed in. I thought Chris rode her great. If she comes back good and checks out good, we’re definitely running in the Apple Blossom.”

Winning jockey Chris Landeros, rider of victorious Streamline – “I had a great trip. The outside post was kind of in our favor today. I thought Irad was going to go a little bit with his horse. Terra Promessa had the inside and we took advantage of it. She runs hard every time. She deserves a chance every single race. She’s little but she’s so game. Very, very game mare.

“I just knew she’d give me 110 percent every time. She’s so honest every race.

Second-place jockey Javier Castellano, Eskenformoney – “Had a good trip, but that’s where I expected to be. I didn’t want to be too far out of it today. With that kind of horse you have to be involved in the race, and she did. She gave me good run and the speed carried all the way. I thought the horse was going to come back to me a little bit. I give credit to the winner. I believed I am 2nd best today, because the winner never came back to me. Every time I asked my horse she responded very well, we were just 2nd best today. I am very proud for the filly and the way she ran.”

Third-place trainer Brad Cox, Tiger Moth – “It was good. I was very happy with it. Jose (Ortiz) did a good job letting her settle into the race. Finished up well. We’ll see what happens out of this, maybe go the Apple Blossom.”

Third-place jockey Jose Ortiz, Tiger Moth – “She ran very well. Setup nice for me and going into the first turn she relaxed well. She made a run turning for home and she was coming on late. She was rallying on late in the race and it was a good race for her.”

Jockey Irad Ortiz, rider of beaten favorite Terra Promessa: “She just didn’t show up.”