Top names prep for Hot Springs, Honeybee stakes
Amy’s Challenge, Sassy Sienna, Red Ruby, Cosmic Burst, Ivan Fallunovalot, Wilbo and Whitmore are among the names pointing toward Saturday’s two stakes races at Oaklawn Park.
Unbeaten Amy’s Challenge moved a step closer to her scheduled two-turn debut in the Grade 3 $200,000 Honeybee Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by working over a fast track after the renovation break Tuesday morning for trainer Mac Robertson.
Trainer Brad Cox said Sassy Sienna is also pointing for the Honeybee. Sassy Sienna finished second in the $125,000 Martha Washington Stakes Feb.
10 in her last start.
The Honeybee is the final major local prep for the Grade
3 $400,000 Fantasy Stakes on April 13. It offers 85 points to the top four finishers (50-20-10-5) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Oaks.
Also pointing for the Honeybee are Martha Washington winner Red Ruby, third-place Cosmic Burst and Stronger Than Ever. Stronger Than Ever won the $125,000 Silverbulletday Stakes Jan. 13 at Fair Grounds.
Amy’s Challenge was credited with 6 furlongs in 1:13.80 after breezing around 1 ½ turns. It was the third work back for Amy’s Challenge since moving to 3 for 3 in the $125,000 Dixie Belle Stakes Jan. 20, her 2018 debut and first start against females.
Jareth Loveberry has ridden Amy’s Challenge throughout her career and regularly works her, but Robertson said he had exercise rider Ernesto Lopez breeze the daughter of Artie Schiller Tuesday morning.
“I thought it was a good work under weight,” Robertson said. “I wanted a little weight on her. She got a little tired today, but I was happy with the finish. Galloped out pretty good, kind of seen that turn.”
Amy’s Challenge skipped the $125,000 Martha Washington Stakes Feb. 10, a mile race that is Oaklawn’s first of three major two-turn preps for the Kentucky Oaks.
Red Ruby worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.80 over a good track Monday morning for trainer Kellyn Gorder. Cosmic Burst worked Tuesday morning, covering 5 furlongs in 1:01 for trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel.
Cosmic Burst was beaten 6 ¾ lengths in the Martha Washington, her 2018 debut. She was previously unbeaten in three route races, including the $100,000 Trapeze Stakes Dec. 17 at Remington Park to conclude her 2-year-old campaign.
“She didn’t perform the way we’ve grown accustomed to,” Von Hemel said. “Chalk it up to the track, I guess, right now.”
Cosmic Burst was racing over a sloppy track for the first time in the Martha Washington.
The Honeybee was the key race of the 2017 Oaklawn meeting, with 10 of 11 starters — including It Tiz Well, Benner Is-
land, Elate, Ever So Clever and Lovely Bernadette — returning to win graded stakes events last year.
Owner Lewis Mathews said Jon Court will ride multiple stakes winner and near-millionaire Ivan Fallunovalot in the $125,000 Hot Springs Stakes. Mathews said Court was aboard for Ivan Fallunovalot’s 3-furlong bullet workout (:35.40) Tuesday morning.
Trained by Tom Howard, Ivan Fallunovalot ($986,403) would have surpassed $1 million in career earnings with a victory in the $125,000 King Cotton Stakes Feb. 3, but finished second to Wilbo.
Wilbo is also pointing for the 6-furlong Hot Springs, along with defending champion Whitmore and Warrior’s Club. Wilbo worked a half-mile in :50.20 Tuesday morning for 2015 Oaklawn training champion Chris Hartman.
Co-owner/trainer Ron Moquett said defending champion Whitmore remains on course to make his 5-year-old debut in the Hot Springs. Whitmore recorded a 5-furlong bullet (1:01.40) over a good track Monday morning and worked a half-mile bullet workout (:47.60) Saturday morning.
Nominations for the Honeybee and Hot Springs closed Friday. Post positions will be drawn Wednesday.