On a day with no fewer than 16 graded bet races held around the country, a pair of Arkansas crossbreeds stole the spotlight in two events earning an extra $150,000 at Oaklawn Park. Both crossbreeds provided their Arkansas-born boars with their first black-type stake winners on Saturday and despite being dominant among the state crosses, one of them even had could test the waters of the open joint-stock company in the next start-up after its spectacular win.
John Ed Anthony’s Gar Hole , named for a bar in the Marion Hotel in downtown Little Rock, Ark., walked to its fourth straight score in Saturday’s Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes. 3rd grade son Tekton, who is also campaigning under the name Anthony’s Shortleaf Stable, has raced up the qualifying ladder with ease since his first hike on Dec. 4 in Oaklawn. When it came to Nodouble, coach John A. Ortiz had no choice but to run the gelding fly in the wagering contest, as there are currently no high school allowance contests on offer for the Arkansas-hybrid in Oaklawn condition book.
Favored in the 10th field, Gar Hole pressed for early speed before taking over command of the half-mile cross at the hands of regular pilot Ricardo Santana Jr. , won by reducing the number by 5 in length and stopping the clock in a record time of 1:09.06 for six piles.
“It was the perfect horse race,” said Ortiz, who went to the first Oaklawn park to win the Nodouble. “Apartment 1:09? Listen, this isn’t just an Arky-hybrid. It’s a serious racehorse and it’s an Arky-hybrid champion right now.”
Ortiz pointed out that Gar Hole could most likely take over the open company in his next startup, preferring to maintain a rapid gelation rate over six-segment distances. Although Ortiz is equipped with proven sprinters in Mucho and Hollis April 23 Earl’s Fleet Stakes $500,000 (G3) could be in the cards for Gar Hole.
“Starting a company is definitely an option worth considering,” says Ortiz. “He has to come now. There’s another race (the Arkansas Breeders’ Championship May 7), obviously at the end of the meeting, going two turns. I’m not sure if that’s what I want to do. with him right now or not, but it’s against Arky-breds But when you change the distance it’s a new level So do we want to do that? I’m not sure I’ll find out. I’ll talk to Mr. John Ed Anthony and we’ll take it from there.”
Gar Hole boosted his earnings to $272,274 after Nodouble and put on a near-perfect record of four wins from five starts, saving for a disappointing January 2021 debut end.
Anthony’s racing director John Gasper explained that Gar Hole was sent to Rood & Riddle Equine after his debut, where he was diagnosed with a minor ankle injury and subluxation testicle. . The 4-year-old started training soon after and was given a break for most of last year to recover and develop into himself.
“We had to get rid of that,” Ortiz said. “Gived him a summer break and he came back bigger and stronger and more mature. And obviously, he has one thing on his mind and that’s winning.”
Gar Hole is outside Afleet Alex Dovecot horse, smashed by three winners from four races. Dovecot has a small 2-year-old child who has not been appreciated by Irish Doubles name is Irish Alex.
Tekton, a 10-year-old son of Bernardini, previously worked at McDowell Ranch and was retired from livestock duty in 2020.
Connie K prevails in Downthedustyroad Breeders’ Stakes at Oaklawn Park
Earlier on the card, Randy Patterson and Randy Morse’s Connie KY won their third straight win in Downthedustyroad Breeders’ Stakes. Trained by Morse, 4 year old kid Street Strategy gently pull the buckle into her usual position on top of the car and adjust the speed throughout. After opening a two-way home route at the hands of coach Jon Court, Connie K arrived late to stop the feverish ending of the game. Unrestrained Twister by a neck under the rope.
Favored for windows in the field of 8, Connie K raced with six furs in a 1:10.97 scale.
“Trust me, I’m glad she won, but maybe she’s a bit tired today,” Morse said. “I haven’t done much with her. She’s very nice. We own the mare. Now, she’s the stake winner. That’s huge.”
In Connie K’s previous start, she broadcast a group of 7 3/4 length Arkansas crossbred mares and bitches in a allowable option claim race on Jan. 8. Like Gar Hole, Connie K beat the opener’s three back-to-back when it came to scoring in a Nov 5 starters’ option claim contest at Churchill Downs. She now boasts a 4-0-1 record from eight starts with earnings of $255,193.
Connie K was out of the race to win Charlie mare Indian Clarkie, the dam of three winners from the three ponies that entered the race. The Indian Clarkie is portrayed by an underage teenager played by Double Irish and an aspiring teenager played by Lord Nelson . The street strategy of Duc Lang Jun, a son wins shares of Street Sense stands for $1,000 at the Lake Hamilton Equine Center in Royal, AR.
