Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Stablemates bring contrasting styles to Sunland Derby field
New York Central and Dream Baby Dream will make their first run at Kentucky Derby points on Sunday, when the stablemates start in the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Park Derby. Steve Asmussen trains both horses.
Asmussen also trains Hence, who won the Sunland Derby last year, and Daddy Nose Best, who won the Sunland Derby in 2012.
The field for the Sunland Derby was to be drawn Wednesday. The 1 1/8-mile race awards Kentucky Derby points to its first four finishers on a scale of 50-20-10-5. The $200,000 Sunland Oaks on Sunday offers the identical points structure for the Kentucky Oaks. The races are part of a program of seven stakes worth more than $1.5 million. The card is the richest of the meet at Sunland.
New York Central and Dream Baby Dream, who finished a first and third in an Oaklawn allowance route run right after the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest Stakes on Feb. 19, bring contrasting styles into the Sunland Derby.
“I think that they’re a very good complement to each other,” Asmussen said. “If the racetrack is favoring speed, New York Central will be very tough, and if they’re closing, Dream Baby Dream will be tough.
“I think the timing of the race is ideal for both of them.”
Asmussen said Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount on New York Central. The men lead the trainer and rider standings at Oaklawn. Dream Baby Dream will get the services of Alfredo Juarez Jr., the New Mexico-based rider who won last year’s Sunland Derby.
“Dream Baby Dream’s style, I feel, is extremely similar to the way Hence won the race last year, and that’s why I think Alfredo is the perfect fit for him,” said Asmussen.
New York Central races for WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International, and SF Racing. He is a son of Tapit. New York Central’s dam, Fashion Cat, has produced a Grade 2 winner in Corfu and is a halfsister to the multiple Grade 1 winner Peace Rules.
Dream Baby Dream is a son of Into Mischief who races for Dream Baby Dream Racing Stable. Last year at 2 he ran third by a neck in the Spendthrift Farm Juvenile Stallion Stakes at Churchill Downs. During the Oaklawn meet, Dream Baby Dream has run third in allowance races won by Bravazo, the next-out winner of the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds, and Title Ready, who returned to run fourth in the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel last Saturday at Oaklawn.
Asmussen will be active in other races at Sunland on Sunday. He said that Charge Back, a recent allowance winner at Sam Houston, is being pointed for the Sunland Park Oaks and will be ridden by Santana. Counterforce is targeting the $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial.
Flights bringing horses for the Sunday card were due to arrive Wednesday from Florida and Thursday from California, according to Sunland racing secretary Robbie Junk.
Sunland will offer advance wagering on the Sunland Derby program starting Saturday.
◗ The retired Hall of Fame rider Pat Day and country artist Neal McCoy will participate in a fundraising gala Friday night in the Turf Club at Sunland. Proceeds from the $100-per-seat event will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
Actress has options
Actress, who finished second in the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri last Saturday at Oaklawn, will be considered for Oaklawn’s Grade 1, $700,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on April 13.
“We’re going to keep our options open, keep her nominated to everything,” said Benny Glass, the racing manager for owners Gary and Mary West.
Actress returned to Florida on Monday. Last year, Actress won the Grade 3 Comely at Aqueduct and the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico.
Actress was the first Oaklawn starter for trainer Jason Servis.
Actress closed for second to Martini Glass in the Azeri and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.
“She shows up every time,” said Glass.
Record Rebel business
Oaklawn announced Wednesday that the $10.7 million bet on the Rebel Day program from all sources last Saturday was a record for a March program at the track and a record outside of an Arkansas Derby Day. The 10-race program featured the Rebel, the Azeri, and the Essex. Handle on the Rebel, won by Magnum Moon, was $1,169,195.
“Our Rebel Day has grown into the second-biggest day and it’s fighting to be first, just right behind our derby,” said Oaklawn president Lou Cella. “It is a huge day.”
Attendance ontrack was an estimated 37,500.
◗ The Arkansas Racetrack Chaplaincy will hold its annual benefit dinner Friday night at the Hot Springs Convention Center. There will be a host of auction items available, including a box for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks at Churchill Downs; Gun Runner art and one of his halters; and a racing memorabilia quilt. Tickets are $65, and those who are interested in attending can contact Robi Heffington at (405) 388-9026.