Oaklawn Park report

Norberto Arroyo Jr., who made frequent trips to the winner’s circle earlier in the meet, ended a 31-race losing streak in the sixth race Thursday.
Norberto Arroyo Jr., who made frequent trips to the winner’s circle earlier in the meet, ended a 31-race losing streak in the sixth race Thursday.

Cox eyes Handicap for Carve

HOT SPRINGS - Carve is a candidate for the $600,000 Grade II Oaklawn Handicap on April 12 at Oaklawn Park following his impressive comeback victory earlier this month, trainer Brad Cox said.

Carve earned a career high 97 Beyer Speed Figure for a 5 ¾ -length second-level allowance/optional claiming victory March 9.

Carve, in his 4-year-old debut, ran 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:44.70 under Jesus Castanon.

“He showed up,” Cox said. “He ran like he was training. He was really, really doing well.”

Carve was making his first start since owner Mike Langford of Jonesboro, citing a breakdown in communication, transferred Carve and 3-year-old Dunkin Bend from trainer Steve Asmussen to Cox in January.

On behalf of Langford, Asmussen claimed Carve out of a Jan. 25, 2013, career debut victory at Oaklawn for $30,000.

Carve ran third in the $1 million Grade I Arkansas Derby and closed his productive 3-year-old campaign with a second place finish, beaten a half length, in the $200,000 Zia Park Derby on Nov. 27 at Zia Park in New Mexico.

“The Oaklawn Handicap will probably be on the radar,” Cox said. “We’ll see who shows up, but we would like to run him here one more time.”

Cox said he’s also considering a conditioned allowance race for Carve’s next start.

Cox said he plans to work Carve “an easy half-mile” this weekend.

The March 9 victory, Carve’s third in 10 lifetime starts, increased his earnings to $288,731.

Carve began his career with trainer Al Stall.

Arroyo’s streak ends

Jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr., the meet’s third-leading rider, ended a 31-race losing streak when favored Lifes Reward ($4.80) edged Empire Taker by a neck to win Thursday’s sixth race, a maiden special weights event at 1 1/16 miles.

It was the first victory for Arroyo since the first race March 9, when he guided Herecomesbert to a 1 1/2-length triumph for trainer Cody Autrey, the jockey’s major client.

Arroyo was beaten a head in Thursday’s third race and a nose in the fourth race. His slump allowed Dave Mello, who rode two winners Thursday, to move into second place in the standings with 30 victories, seven less than defending champion Ricardo Santana Jr.

Arroyo has 29 victories.

Arroyo continues to ride under a stay from Garland County Circuit Court after the Arkansas Racing Commission, at a regularly scheduled meeting March 8, voted to uphold two three-day riding suspensions stewards handed the jockey earlier in the meeting.

Arroyo has appealed a third three-day riding suspension to the commission. State steward Stan Bowker said the appeal is on Saturday’s meeting agenda.

Arroyo ($1,024,716) became the second jockey of the meeting to surpass $1 million in purse earnings Thursday.

Empire Taker, who was ridden by Channing Hill, was making his 18th career start.

The 5-year-old son of Empire Maker, a $750,000 2-year-old purchase, has run second in his past three starts for trainer Dan Peitz, a Little Rock native.

Hill is engaged to the daughter of Wayne Catalano, who trains Lifes Reward.

Baby talk

Trainer Gary “Red Dog” Hartlage said he was ecstatic with On Fire Baby’s fourth place finish in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Azeri Stakes for older fillies and mares.

On Fire Baby, who was making her first start since finishing last of 11 in the $500,000 Grade I Spinster Stakes on Oct. 6 at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., was beaten only 2 1/4 lengths by wire-to-wire winner Close Hatches.

“She did great,” Hartlage said. “With all training I missed with her, she ran great.”

Hartlage said On Fire Baby missed 18 days of training leading up to the Azeri because of winter weather.

On Fire Baby wasn’t a confirmed starter for the Azeri until she worked 7 furlongs in 1:30.20 on March 9 under regular rider Joe Johnson.

Hartlage said the 1 1/16-mile Azeri was the equivalent of three works.

“That race put her right where I need her,” Hartlage said. “She had a chance at the half-mile pole to just completely spit it when Joe pushed her. A lot of times when Joe pushes on one there and they don’t go, they hang it up. But she kept on digging. She got a lot out of that race.”

On Fire Baby has won her biggest races on the lead, but Hartlage said he believed Close Hatches, who broke from the rail, would go to the front.

Close Hatches, after breaking a step slow, beat On Fire Baby to the lead entering the first turn and was taken to the three-path, in front of On Fire Baby, by jockey Joel Rosario.

In last year’s $500,000 Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap, Johnson sent On Fire Baby to the lead, and after angling in on the first turn, caused even-money favorite Grace Hall, ridden by Rosario to steady.

On Fire Baby went on to record her biggest career victory. Grace Hall was last of seven.

“I don’t know if his little number was because of Joe last year,” Hartlage said, referring to Rosario.

The Azeri marked On Fire Baby’s first loss against females in three career starts at Oaklawn.

Hartlage said she will be pointed toward a rematch with Close Hatches in the $600,000 Grade I Apple Blossom on April 11.

Saturday’s feature

Saturday’s $100,000 Gazebo Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters has drawn a field of 10, including Boji Moon, a sharp winner earlier in the meeting for trainer Chris Richard.

Boji Moon, who has never been beaten in four career sprint starts, is scheduled to break from post 10 under Terry Thompson.

In his last start, Boji Moon beat older horses by 1 1/4 lengths to win a Feb.

1 second-level allowance sprint.

Boji Moon was a two-time stakes winner last year. He will carry top weight of 122 pounds Saturday.

Completing the field from the rail out: Mister Pollard, Jareth Loveberry to ride, 119 pounds; Kendall’s Boy, Cliff Berry, 115; Big Sugar Soda, Ricardo Santana Jr., 115; Dunkin Bend, Jesus Castanon, 119; Bagg O’Day, Alex Birzer, 115; Guns Loaded, Norberto Arroyo Jr., 119; Speightsong, Gary Boulanger, 115; Brewing, Jon Court, 115; and CondoClosing, Alex Canchari, 117.

Dunkin Bend, owned by Mike Langford of Jonesboro, will be making his first start for trainer Brad Cox.

Dunkin Bend, then trained by Steve Asmussen, scored his biggest career victory in the $100,000 Grade III Sapling Stakes on Sept. 1 at Monmouth Park in New Jersey.

Probable post time for the Gazebo, the ninth of 10 races, is 5:09 p.m.

Racing begins Saturday at 1:05 p.m. Weather permitting, the infield will be open.

Final furlong

Champion Will Take Charge, co-owned by Willis Horton of Marshall, worked a half-mile in :48.80 on Tuesday morning for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Will Take Charge is scheduled to make his next start in the $600,000 Grade II Oaklawn Handicap on April 12. … Trainer Phil Sims said Don’t Tell Sophia is “probable” for the $600,000 Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap on April 11 following her third place finish in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Azeri Stakes. … Be Good Molly, the dam of Arkansas-bred multiple stakes winner All About Allie, will be bred to Macho Rocket, said Kathy Howard, racing manager for Frank Fletcher of North Little Rock, who stands the horse at Starfish Stallions near Hot Springs. All About Allie is also scheduled to be bred this year to Macho Rocket. … Trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel, who has been on a European vacation with family the past week, recorded his second victory of the meeting in Thursday’s eighth race with Gold Medal Dancer. … Discipline, the 3-year-old Sky Mesa colt who broke his maiden by 10 ½ lengths Jan. 31, is pointing for an allowance race at the meet of the meet, trainer Chris Richard said.

At the post

DAY 38 ATTENDANCE 4,777 ON-TRACK HANDLE $363,476.20 OFF-TRACK HANDLE $1,947,387.01 TOTAL HANDLE $2,310,863.21 CLASSIX CARRYOVER $1,279.98.

THURSDAY’S STARS Dave Mello and Luis Quinonez each rode two winners.

TODAY’S TIMES First post for the nine races is 1:30 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m. TELEVISION HRTV (races 7-9), TVG (full card). Oaklawn Replay Show (8 p.m., Resort Cable Channel 5, Hot Springs; 11 p.m., KARZ, Channel 42, Little Rock). PRICES Admission $2. Parking in Oaklawn lots $2. Reserved seats $2.50. Programs $2. Daily Racing Form $5, $6.50, $7.50. Tip sheets $2-$5.

Today’s simulcasting schedule Tampa Bay Downs (11:25 a.m.), Laurel (11:35 a.m.), Calder (11:55 a.m.), Gulfstream Park (12:05 p.m.), Aqueduct (12:20 p.m.), Fair Grounds (1:25 p.m.), Hawthorne (1:45 p.m.), Golden Gate Fields (2:45 p.m.), Santa Anita (3 p.m.), Penn National (5 p.m.), Turfway Park (5:15 p.m.), Wheeling (5:45 p.m.), Charles Town (6 p.m.), Sam Houston (7 p.m.), Southland (7:30 p.m.).

TODAY’S WAGERING MENU

Win-place-show, exacta, trifecta and superfecta wagering offered on all races

Daily double (races 1-2, 8-9)

CLASSIX (races 3-8)

Pick-3 (rolling begins with race 2)

Pick-4 (races 2-5, races 6-9)

Sports, Pages 24 on 03/21/2014

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