OAKLAWN: WILBO UPSETS IVAN FALLUNOVALOT IN KING COTTON

By Jennifer Hoyt —-

Wilbo; All photos by Coady Photography

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018) – Chris Wilkins’ Wilbo got the early jump on even money favorite Ivan Fallunovalot for a second straight race and drew off to win by two lengths over the two-time King Cotton winner in Saturday’s 68th renewal of the $125,000 sprint stakes.

Wilbo and Ivan Fallunovalot, who broke slowly, raced in fifth and sixth place, respectively, early as St. Joe Bay led the field through fractions of :21.78 and :44.83 for the first half mile. Leading jockey David Cabrera guided the eventual winner four wide into the stretch and when he called on his mount, he responded by drawing clear to win in 1:09.85 over a fast track. Recount, who had pressed the early pace, held on for third.

“It feels great” said winning trainer Chris Hartman, who had finished second in four consecutive King Cottons with Alsvid. “We’ve been beat by some real good horses in this race and we beat a good field today. It felt good. He kicked really big today. David (Cabrera) put an excellent ride on him. He sat to the outside and when he called on him, he went on. He was loaded today. I was glad to see him get by them.”

Wilbo, a 6-year-old Candy Ride gelding, improved his record to 9-3-6 in 24 starts and earnings to $465,681.

Live racing resumes Sunday at Oaklawn with a special 1:00 p.m. first post on honor the Super Bowl.

Stakes Quotes:

Winning trainer Chris Hartman (Wilbo): “It feels great. We’ve been beat by some real good horses in this race and we beat a good field today. It felt good. He kicked really big today. David (Cabrera) put an excellent ride on him. He sat to the outside and when he called on him, he went on. He was loaded today. I was glad to see him get by them.”

Winning jockey David Cabrera (Wilbo): “This is a very, very special horse. The first time I rode him, Chris gave me instructions on how the horse was. I listened to him and I rode him just exactly the way he told me. I think that helped me a lot because he said he just has one kick and it’s not very far. He said to wait as long as I could and then cut him loose. He’s a really nice horse and I am happy that Chris let me ride him. I’m very happy.”

Jockey Luis Quinonez, (Ivan Fallunovalot, second): “I went to plan B right away. He just didn’t get away from there. He kind of bobbled out of the gate and they got the jump on him. He was trying down the lane.”

Jockey Alex Canchari, (Recount,third): “Honestly, I thought I had a really good trip. I thought I was going to win the race. Top of the lane those horses just came by me, but my horse never quit trying though. Nice horse.”