LITTLE ROCK — Brown Almighty back home
Brown Almighty is about to embark on the next chapter in his racing career.
The Arkansas-owned colt, who finished ninth in last Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, will arrive early next month at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs to prepare for his dirt and 3-year-old debut in the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes on Jan. 21.
Co-owner Richard Robertson of Camden said Brown Almighty is at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., where he will remain until Dec. 1.
Robertson said trainer Tim Ice will also arrive in Hot Springs in early December to oversee Brown Almighty’s training.
The plan, Robertson said, is for Brown Almighty to go through Oaklawn’s four-race series of Kentucky Derby preps, including the $1 million Grade I Arkansas Derby on April 13.
“I know Tim is anxious to get this horse on dirt,” Robertson said.
Brown Almighty was beaten 7 1/2 lengths in the Juvenile Turf after turning into the stretch with a narrow lead. He had to steadybetween rivals in midstretch, which Robertson said cost the colt a higher finish.
“He didn’t hurt himself in the race,” Robertson said.
“As a matter of fact, he’s probably got even more respect now. He didn’t quit.”
Brown Almighty has a 2-2-0 record from five lifetime starts and earnings of $114,000.
Talking horses
Oaklawn’s barn area opens Monday, with trainer Kenny Smith expected to have about 20 horses on the grounds, according to David Longinotti, Oaklawn’s assistant general manager for racing.
Many of Smith’s horses are coming from Delaware Park, Longinotti said.
Oaklawn announced last week that it was banning all horses from Hawthorne in response to the growing number of horses being diagnosed with the highly contagious Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) at the suburban Chicago track.
Under the new policy, “any horse (both thoroughbreds and ponies) who originates from Hawthorne or horses who have been on the grounds of Hawthorne for any reason during the most recent 28 days will not be allowed in the Oaklawn stable area.
“In addition, all horses (both thoroughbreds and ponies) entering the Oaklawn stable area musthave a current health certificate, which shows vaccination for EHV-1 not more than 60 days old and not less than 14 days old prior to their arrival.”
Longinotti said Oaklawn hopes to lift the ban before the live meet begins Jan.
11, adding the policy could change at any time.
“You just to have make sure you take every precaution,” Longinotti said. “Luckily, most of our horsemen that come from Hawthorne don’t come until much later.”
Hawthorne’s fall meet runs through Dec. 30.
Oaklawn opens for training Nov. 19.
Rocket’s home
Macho Rocket, a 3-yearold Macho Uno colt who won his only his only career start, will stand the 2013 breeding season at Starfish Stable, LLC in Hot Springs.
His fee will be $1,000.
An $825,000 2-year-old purchase by Frank Fletcher of North Little Rock, Macho Rocket broke his maiden last November at Hollywood Park near Los Angeles before suffering a careerending leg injury early this year.
Macho Rocket was trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.
Also standing at Starfish is Ordained, who was campaigned by Little Rockbased Westrock Stables, LLC (Joe and Scott Ford).
Sports, Pages 28 on 11/11/2012