Oaklawn Barn Notes: Chocolate Martini Returns to New Orleans; Possible for Apple Blossom

By Jennifer Hoyt —-

Chocolate Martini Returns to New Orleans; Possible for Apple Blossom

Grade 2 winner Chocolate Martini returned to her Fair Grounds base Monday after winning her 4-year-old debut Sunday at Oaklawn for trainer Tom Amoss and owners Double Doors Racing, LLC and Nine Thirty Racing LLC.

Whether she makes another trip to Hot Springs this year remains to be seen.

Making her first start since finishing fifth in the $500,000 Spinster Stakes (G1) Oct. 7 at Keeneland, Chocolate Martini was a three-quarter length allowance winner under Jermaine Bridgmohan. Chocolate Martini covered 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:45.64 and paid $5 as the 3-2 favorite in the seven-horse field.

Chocolate Martini competed in many of the country’s signature events for 3-year-old fillies, including the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) and $1 million Cotillion (G1), and recorded her biggest victory to date in the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) last March at Fair Grounds.

“Look, it was her first start since October and the transition from 3-year-old to 4-year-old year, so there were a few things we were looking to answer with that race, including whether she liked the surface over there,” Amoss said Tuesday morning. “There were all positive answers, so I assume we’ll consider the stakes program over there for the older mares.”

Amoss said the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 16 “comes up a little bit too quick” but Chocolate Martini could return for the $750,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 14.

“I’m fully aware that Monomoy Girl is pointing to that,” Amoss said of the Apple Blossom. “I get to see her train every day down at the Fair Grounds. She’s training great. I’m not exactly looking to see Monomoy Girl, but it’s definitely a possibility, yes.”

Monomoy Girl was a near-unanimous choice as champion 3-year-old filly of 2018 after crossing the finish line first in all seven starts, including the Kentucky Oaks and $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.

A daughter of Broken Vow, Chocolate Martini has won 4 of 13 lifetime starts and earned $469,536. Amoss, Bridgmohan and Nine Thirty Racing teamed to win last Thursday’s fifth race with Fair Grounds shipper Lady Cleopatra ($10.60).

Oaklawn announced Wednesday morning that the purse of the Apple Blossom would be raised $50,000 to a record $750,000. Amoss won the 2000 Apple Blossom with Heritage of Gold.

Back to Work

Oaklawn stakes winner Hoonani Road worked a half-mile in :50.40 over a fast track Wednesday morning under regular rider Channing Hill, the gelding’s first breeze since a sharp 3 ¼-length comeback victory sprinting against Arkansas-bred allowance runners Feb. 14 for trainer Wayne Catalano and owner Jerry Caroom of Hot Springs. The imposing chestnut covered 6 furlongs over a fast track in 1:10.43.

“He ran so good,” said Hill, who is Catalano’s son-in-law. “I wasn’t like super surprised but, man, when he punched hard, I was like, ‘Wow!’ I thought it was the best race he’s ever run.”

Hoonani Road is unbeaten in four career starts at Oaklawn, including the $100,000 Rainbow for 3-year-old state-bred colts and geldings last March. The son of Jonesboro also beat open company in a June 22 allowance race at Churchill Downs.

Hoonani Road hadn’t started since finishing fourth in a Sept. 14 allowance race at Churchill Downs.
“He ran big,” Catalano said. “He’s bigger and stronger, right? Strong and freshened up.”

Catalano said Hoonani Road is being pointed for the $100,000 Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes for Arkansas-breds at 6 furlongs March 23.

Overall, Hoonani Road has a 5-1-0 record from nine lifetime starts and earnings of $217,038.

Hello, Bye Bye

Bye Bye J moved closer to her Oaklawn debut with a half-mile work Sunday morning for trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs. It was the second local breeze for Bye Bye J since the 3-year-old Arkansas-bred daughter of Uncaptured was privately purchased by prominent owner Alex Lieblong, who is chairman of the Arkansas Racing Commission.

Bye Bye J was relocated to Arkansas after finishing second, beaten a half-length, in the $150,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G3) Feb. 2 at Gulfstream Park. Bye Bye J made her first four career starts in south Florida, winning twice, for trainer Ronald Spatz and owner Monarch Stables, Inc.

“She’s a pretty nice filly,” Moquett said. “Smart and already proved that she can run. Now, it’s just me keeping her happy and pointing her in the right direction.”

The meet’s biggest race for Arkansas-bred 3-year-old fillies is the $100,000 Rainbow Miss Stakes April 20, but Moquett said Bye Bye J may try an “open” stakes race before tackling state-breds.

Bred by McDowell Farm, Bye Bye J has a 2-1-1 record from four starts and earnings of $101,905. She won the $75,000 House Party Stakes Dec. 8 at Gulfstream Park.

Finish Lines
Hidden Ruler, a Feb. 16 career debut winner for trainer Dallas Stewart, returned to the work tab Wednesday morning, covering a half-mile in :48.40 just after the track opened. Hidden Ruler is a 3-year-old son of Gemologist. … David Cabrera recorded a riding triple Sunday, winning the fourth race aboard favored Dan the Go to Man ($4.20) for trainer Johnny Ortiz, the eighth race aboard favored Oncewewerebrothers ($3.60) for trainer Jimmy DiVito and the ninth race aboard Royal Daaher ($28.60) for DiVito. Sweeping the late daily double moved DiVito to 6 for 12 at the meeting. All six victories have been for Doubledown Stables, Inc. (Richard Templer). … Through Sunday, the 19th day of the scheduled 57-day meeting, 187 claims had totaled $2,883.000.

Cover Photo: Chocolate Martini; Hodges Photography