Oaklawn Park report

Friday, April 11, 2014

Derby field reduced to 8; ‘Flat’ out

HOT SPRINGS - Trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel said he doesn’t plan to start Knock Em Flat in the $1 million Grade I Arkansas Derby on Saturday afternoon at Oaklawn Park.

Instead, Knock Em Flat will run in an undercard race, the $100,000 Northern Spur Stakes for 3-year olds.

Knock Em Flat broke his maiden March 27 in a dazzling wire-to-wire performance and he was cross-entered Wednesday, although Von Hemel’s preference was always the 1-mile Northern Spur.

“Short of six scratches in the Derby, we’re in the Northern Spur,” Von Hemel said Thursday morning.

Von Hemel said coowner Sam Britt, an elderly New Mexico rancher and longtime client of the trainer’s family, wanted to enter both races.

It cost $7,500 to enter the Arkansas Derby.

The defection of Knock Em Flat leaves eight horses scheduled to run in the 11/8-mile Arkansas Derby - Danza, Tapiture, Ride On Curlin, Thundergram, Commissioner, Conquest Titan, Bayern and Strong Mandate.

Knock Em Flat drew post 2 for the Arkansas Derby.

Luis Quinonez is named to ride the colt in both races.

Moving closer

Steve Asmussen won two races Thursday to extend his lead in the trainer standings to 29-25 over Federico Villafranco with two days remaining in the meeting.

Thursday marked thefourth double for Asmussen in the last five racing days.

Asmussen is seeking his third consecutive Oaklawn training title, and sixth since 2007.

Asmussen has 18 horses entered the next two days.

Villafranco has five.

Claim wars

There were 11 claims Thursday, the 51st day of racing, to push the season total to 401.

Oaklawn should eclipse $6 million in claims today. The 401 claims at the meeting have totaled $5,958,000.

There were 333 claims totaling $4,934,750 at last year’s 54-day meeting.

Final furlong

Jockey Alex Canchari escaped serious injury after being unseated shortly after the start of Thursday’s10th race. First-time starter Wekiva Hunter, who veered in sharply at the start forcing the jockey to bail, was caught by an outrider without incident. … Starter-allowance terror Flattermejim won Thursday’s sixth race for owner Frank Vozel of Little Rock and trainer David Vance. The gelding has won seven races the past two years at Oaklawn. … Silk Purse, one of two Peachtree Stable horses moved from trainer Steve Asmussen to trainer Brad Cox in post-PETA fallout late last month, won Thursday’s seventh race, an entry-level allowance sprint for 3-year old fillies. … Grade I winner and millionaire Tiz Miz Sue, who was retired last fall, is in foal to Tapit, according to Ran Leonard, whose family bred, raced and owns the 7-year-old mare.

At the post DAY 51 ATTENDANCE 9,408 ON-TRACK HANDLE $883,428.20 OFF-TRACK HANDLE $2,542,497.32 TOTAL HANDLE $3,425,925.52 CLASSIX CARRYOVER$17,699.70.

THURSDAY’S STARS Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. and trainer Steve Asmussen teamed for two victories. Jon Court rode two winners.

TODAY’S TIMES First post for the 11 races is 1:30p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m. TELEVISION HRTV (fullcard), TVG (fullcard). Oaklawn Replay Show (8 p.m.,Resort Cable Channel 5, HotSprings, 11p.m., KARZ,Channel 42,LittleRock TODAY’S DAWN AT OAKLAWN (7:30a.m.-9:30a.m., south apron). SPECIAL GUEST Trainer John Shirreffs. Daily Racing Form correspondent/handicapper Mary Rampellini. Barn tours at 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m.,9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

TODAY’S WESTROCK COFFEE FIRST CALL (11a.m.-noon, HRTV, on-site coverage) PRICES Admission $2, parking in Oaklawn lots $2, reserved seats $2.50. weekdays, $4.50 weekends, programs $2. Daily Racing Form $5, $6.50, $7.50.Tipsheets $2-$5.

TODAY’S WAGERING MENU Win-place-show, exacta, trifecta and superfecta wagering offered on all races Daily double (races 1-2, 10-11) CLASSIX (races 3-8) Pick-3 (rolling begins with race 2) Pick-4 (races 2-5, races 8-11) TODAY’S SIMULCASTING SCHEDULE Tampa Bay (11:25 a.m.), Calder (11:55 a.m.), Gulfstream Park (12:05 p.m.), Keeneland (12:05), Evangeline (5:40p.m.),Wheeling (5:45 p.m.), Charles Town (6p.m.), LoneStar (6:35 p.m.), Southland (7:30 p.m.).

Sports, Pages 24 on 04/11/2014