2025.04.05 Oaklawn Racing Updates

Racing Press Release
Compiled by Robert Yates

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Speed King could receive another chance to carry his considerable speed around two turns, trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs said Friday afternoon. Moquett just doesn’t know when.

Moquett said Speed King emerged in good order from his sixth-place finish in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) last Saturday at Oaklawn, a noteworthy performance because of the turbo-like fractions he and Cornucopian set in the 1 1/8-mile race.

“We still don’t have any questions answered,” Moquett said. “The only thing we know is it’s the first time I’ve ever seen the word “suicidal” written in an Equibase chart. So, I don’t think you can take that information and use it to make an intelligent decision about what somebody wants to do. If anyone went out there in :23 and (4/5) and :46 and (4/5) and then they caught him and he finished sixth, then I would be like: ‘Well, he needs to go shorter.’ ”

Instead of a tamer :23.80 and :46.80, Speed King and Cornucopian dueled through some of the fastest fractions in Arkansas Derby history – :22.46 for the opening quarter-mile, :45.21 for a half-mile and 1:10.37 for three-quarters. Not surprisingly, Cornucopian and Speed King hit the wall late on the second turn. Cornucopian, the 4-5 favorite who was making his stakes and two-turn debut in his second lifetime start, finished fourth, beaten 8 ½ lengths by late-running Sandman. Speed King was beaten 24 ¾ lengths.

“The fact of the matter is the horse that was up there doing the ding-donging with us will probably run in the Preakness in his next start,” Moquett said. “I’m not saying we’re going to run a route of ground, but I’m saying that with a decent trip, he (Speed King) can do better than that.”

Speed King is already a stakes winner around two turns, wiring a field that included Sandman, future Louisiana Derby winner Tiztastic and future Virginia Derby winner American Promise in the $1 million Southwest (G3) at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 25 at Oaklawn.

“He’ll tell me,” Moquett said, referring to Speed King’s next start. “I had to walk him with a lip shank the day after (the Arkansas Derby).”

Speed King, a gray son of Volatile, has a 2-1-0 record from five lifetime starts and earnings of $737,750 for majority owner Ted Bowman (Triton Thoroughbreds) of Hot Springs.

Finish Lines

Oaklawn allowance winner Hit Show ($84.60) captured the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) Saturday in the United Arab Emirates. Florent Geroux rode Hit Show for trainer Brad Cox, an Oaklawn regular. … Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen recorded two victories Friday at Oaklawn, pushing his record-extending total in Hot Springs to 983. Asmussen won the first race with favored Good Lord ($6) and the seventh race with Spoonie ($27.60). Asmussen’s son, jockey Erik Asmussen, rode both winners. … Entries will be accepted and post positions drawn Sunday for two stakes races April 12 at Oaklawn – $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles and the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) for older horses at 6 furlongs. Expected Apple Blossom entrants include 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna.