Though this is not the Derby week we’re used to having, BSW/Crow clients are still firing on all cylinders when it comes to big time entries.
Champion British Idiom makes her second start of the year in tomorrow’s $400,000 G3 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park as part of a loaded field of 14. The BSW/Crow public auction purchase ran a game 2nd in her first start of the year in the G2 Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds in February and has been training forwardly for this race.
Recent BSW/Crow private purchase New York Groove will also be taking her spot in the G3 Fantasy Stakes tomorrow, coming into this race having fired off a bullet 5 furlong drill at Fair Hill six days ago. The multiple stakes winner was acquired on behalf of Madaket Stables and Wonder Stables who joined original owner Commonwealth New Era Racing.
One race before the Fantasy, the G3W/G1P Comical will line up in the Gardenia Stakes. The BSW/Crow private purchase arrives here off a good 2nd place finish in allowance company against older horses and will be looking to go one better against her fellow sophomore fillies.
Saturday brings about several stakes chances, including the BSW/Crow public auction purchase Wells Bayou who will be looking to add a G1 victory to his resume in the second division of the Arkansas Derby. The winner of last month’s G2 Louisiana Derby, Wells Bayou was initially purchased at OBS March last year for $105,000 for Clint and Lance Gasaway before being joined by Madaket Stables and Wonder Stables prior to last month’s success.
BSW/Crow clients are heavy handed in the $600,000 G2 Oaklawn Handicap as they start two of the likelier chances in the race. Warrior’s Charge took the G3 Razorback in his latest start and will be looking to add this G2 to his list of successes for owners Ten Strike Racing and Madaket Stables. Since coming back from colic surgery, the dark bay son of Munnings is two for two and will be looking for a third consecutive victory over the track that three of his four lifetime wins have come at.
Mr Freeze ships into Oaklawn Park for owners Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister, coming off a blowout victory in the G2 Gulfstream Park Mile at the end of February. The five-year-old son of To Honor and Serve has really raised his game of late, stamping himself as one of the top older horses in training with his last out win as well as his 2nd place finish in G1 Pegasus World Cup in January.
Night Ops will also be partaking in the Oaklawn Handicap festivities for local owner Steve Landers. Night Ops notched his initial stakes success last time out when he flew down the lane to grab the $350,000 Essex Handicap, beating a few of the same foes he will be facing on Saturday.
At Gulfstream Park, BSW/Crow private purchase Last Judgment lines up in the Big Drama Stakes for owners Mathis Stables and Madaket Stables, where he will be looking for his first stakes success.