Will’s Secret pulls upset thanks to Court’s talent

HOT SPRINGS — Willis Horton got the rider and result he wanted.

Sixty-year-old veteran jockey Jon Court, a longtime Oaklawn regular, rode Will’s Secret at 8-1 past the 4-5 favorite Coach and four others in the final half-mile to finish first on a muddy racetrack in the $200,000, 1-mile Martha Washington Stakes for 3-yearold fillies in 1:38.78 before an estimated crowd of 2,150 at Oaklawn Casino Racing Resort on Saturday.

“Today was the day to make a decision, so she made it for us,” said Horton, owner of Will’s Secret. “Now we’re definitely looking toward the Kentucky Oaks.”

Trainer Dallas Stewart said he was pleased by Horton’s objective.

“She’s a nice two-turn filly,” Stewart said. “I’m glad he thinks like that. If you’re asking me that question, you’re always looking for a way to make the Oaks. For me, she answered the question. That’s the main thing, right?”

Will’s Secret, a daughter of Will Take Charge, finished 51/2 lengths in front of second-place Coach, who caught third-place Joy’s Rocket just before the wire. Joy’s Rocket was 6 lengths behind the winner and 6 3/4 lengths in front of fourth-place Sylvia Q.

Coach is trained by Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox and was ridden by Florent Geroux.

The Martha Washington distributed 17 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points, with 10, 4, 2 and 1 earned by the fillies who finished first through fourth, respectively. This season’s Oaks, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., is scheduled for April 30.

Oaklawn has two other Oaks qualifying races on its schedule, both Grade III stakes at 1 and 1/16 mile. The $300,000 Honeybee is set for March 6 and the $600,000 Fantasy for April 3. The Honeybee will distribute 85 points, with 50, 20, 10, and 5 to first through fourth respectively. The Fantasy offers a total of 170, with 100 to the winner followed by 40, 20, and 10.

Horton said the Honeybee will likely be Will’s Secret’s next start.

“That’s probably [enough time] for us,” Stewart said. “We just got to be smart.”

Will’s Secret followed splits set through the first half-mile by Sylvia Q of 23.61 for the opening quarter and 47.35. Joy’s Rocket, the 9-5 second choice and trained by Steve Asmussen, led Sylvia Q by a head through three-quarters in 1:12.37, with Coach third, 1/2 length off the lead and a head in front of Will’s Secret, who was full of momentum after running three- and four-wide around the final turn.

“She broke good, and I knew speed’s been pretty tough today for the majority of the races,” Court said. “After we analyzed the race, we worked out a strategy that worked out very effectively today. I’m happy it did.”

Horton, of Marshall, has long admired Court’s ability.

“He’s been doing a tremendous job for us,” Horton said. “He’s a good jockey, and he knows what to do.”

Coach was bumped hard shortly after the start and was last as the field entered the first turn.

“The race for Coach wasn’t very good,” Geroux said. “She got bumped around very hard right after we left the gate. I got shut off and had to take back. I had to try to work back up in the backstretch. She ran hard for second. The winner was a bit better, but she had the better trip, too.”

Will’s Secret had the lead at the head of the stretch and pulled away.

“It’s terrific when you win,” Stewart said. “She’s a real nice filly. She’s got a nice future ahead of her.”

Coach’s favoritism was well earned. The Martha Washington was the first start for Coach since her third-place finish in the Grade II 1-mile and-1/16th Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill on Nov. 28, a race from which she earned two Oaks points. She raced with four works published since Jan. 4, including a half-mile breeze in 47.60 on Jan. 17. Coach also breezed a half on a muddy track in 49.80 on Jan. 24.

Nevertheless, Geroux said he was impressed by Will’s Secret.

“I thought the winner was the horse to beat,” Geroux said. “I was a little bit worried about her.”

Court said success for a horse owned by Horton was particularly meaningful to him.

“There’s a little pressure on me to ride for the Hortons,” Court said. “I love them dearly.”