BSW/Crow private purchase WHITMORE, the newly crowned Champion of the Sprint division and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner, returns to the races on Saturday at Oaklawn Park where he’ll be making his eight year old debut in the Hot Springs Stakes for owners Robert LaPenta, Head of Plains Partners and Southern Springs Stable. The ageless WHITMORE will be aiming to win the Hot Springs for the fifth year in a row, having taken the race each year from 2017-2020.
Not only will his surroundings be familiar, but so will his competition. Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up and fellow private purchase C Z ROCKET returns for his seven year old season in this spot as well for owners Tom Kagele and Madaket Stables. The son of City Zip notched five consecutive wins in 2020, including the G2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship.
The Elkstone Group’s GETRIDOFWHATAILESU goes in search of her third win in a row in tomorrow’s G2 Azeri at Oaklawn Park after taking the Pippin Stakes in January in last to first fashion. The daughter of Ghostzapper is 4 for 7 lifetime with two second place finishes to her name.
Also running on Rebel undercard is Steve Landers’ G3 winner NIGHT OPS who will be looking to take the Essex Handicap for the second year in a row. The five year old son of Warrior’s Reward finished a good 3rd in the Fifth Season last out to begin his five year old campaign.
HOZIER, a last out maiden winner for the ownership group of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet, Golconda, Siena Farm and Robert Masterson, makes his stakes debut as well as his first start against winners in a loaded version of the G2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.
The elder statesmen are out in force this weekend, including the newly turned six year old WHERESHETOLDMETOGO who is looking for his third consecutive stakes win in the Not For Love Stakes at Laurel on Saturday for owners Madaket Stables, Ten Strike Racing, Michael Kisber and Black Cloud Stable.
Public auction purchase MAYTHEHORSEBWITHU is looking for his second consecutive stakes win on Saturday at Laurel in the Private Terms for owner Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stables. The three year old son of Bullsbay was last seen taking the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel in front running fashion.
Stuart Grant’s busy weekend continues at Laurel where his homebred PLOT THE DOTS returns to stakes action in the Harrison E. Johnson Memorial Stakes. The four year old son of Uncle Mo took an allowance race at Laurel Park over this same 1 1/16 miles distance.
