HOT SPRINGS — 7th race turns into Rebel prep
Alternation remained unbeaten around two turns with a 3 1/4-length victory in a $40,000 allowance race Monday afternoon at Oaklawn Park.
Alternation’s third consecutive victory - all around two turns - probably earned the promising Distorted Humor colt a shot in the $300,000 Grade II Rebel Stakes on March 19, trainer Donnie K.
Von Hemel said.
Alternation, who was ridden by Luis Quinonez, powered to the lead in the upper stretch after a sluggish start and wide trip.
He completed 1 1-16 miles over a fast track in 1:45.24 and paid $5.20 as the 8-5 favorite.
“He looked like he settled down the backside and started making his move on his own,” Von Hemel said.
“When Luis asked him, he plenty left to get there.”
Runner-up Dreaminofthewin will be pointed toward the Rebel, trainer C.R. Trout said.
Bluegrass Bull, a halflength farther back in third, could also make his nextstart in the Rebel, trainer Jinks Fires of Hot Springs said.
CLASSIX fever
A CLASSIX carryover of $100,094 awaits fans when racing resumes at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday.
The CLASSIX, which requires bettors to select the winners of races 3-8, wasn’t hit for the 10th consecutive racing day following Monday’s parade of double digit winners.
Alternation ($5.20) was the only winning favorite in the CLASSIX races.
Bobby Geiger, Oaklawn’s director of gaming and wagering, said $74,904 was bet into the pool Monday - $49,118 off track and $25,786 at Oaklawn.
The carryover is the largest since April 10, 2009 ($126,864).
Final furlong
Two-time Oaklawn jockey champion Calvin Borel was honored after Monday’s sixth race for winning last week’s Meydan Masters jockey competition in Dubai. ...Angelo S.
Johnson of Little Rock was the $10,000 grand prize winner in Monday’s $55,000 progressive cash giveaway promotion. … Doc Danner is now booking mounts for jockey Francisco Torres.
Sports, Pages 20 on 02/22/2011