Blinkers on for Atigun in Handicap

HOT SPRINGS — Atigun could be wearing a new piece of equipment in Saturday’s $500,000 Grade II Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park.

In his final major workout for the race, Atigun, in blinkers, breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.40 shortly after the track opened Saturday morning.

Phil Bauer, assistant to trainer Ken McPeek, said the plan is for Atigun to wear blinkers in the 1 1-8-mile Oaklawn Handicap, although the final decision will be made by McPeek.

Bauer said Atigun trained in blinkers last week and believes the equipment could help him close the deal in his races.

Owned by John Ed Anthony of Hot Springs, Atigun ran third in last year’s Belmont Stakes (beaten 2 lengths), third in his 2013 debut (beaten 2 lengths) and third in the $150,000 Grade III Razorback Handicap on March 9 (beaten 2 lengths).

“He’ll get up to horses, but he won’t go by them,” Bauer said.

Atigun worked in company Saturday with stablemate Unstoppable U, who is also scheduled to run in the Oaklawn Handicap.

Racing secretary Pat Pope assigned Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Fort Larned co-top weight of 123 pounds for the Oaklawn Handicap.

Fort Larned is scheduled to arrive Monday in Hot Springs.

Defending Oaklawn Handicap winner Alternation, another scheduled starter, was assigned 117 pounds.

Weights for other projected starters: Cyber Secret (115), Atigun (114), Sabercat (112), Taptowne (112) and Unstoppable U (112).

Three of a kind

Three leading candidates for Friday’s $500,000 Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap recorded works within 10 minutes of each other Saturday morning.

Tiz Miz Sue covered a half-mile in :50.60, followed by Don’t Tell Sophia (5 furlongs in 1:02) and On Fire Baby (7 furlongs in 1:30.40).

Tiz Miz Sue, who zipped her final quarter-mile in :22.40, is coming off a victory in the $150,000 Grade III Azeri Stakes on March 16.

Don’t Tell Sophia was beaten 1 1-4 lengths in the Azeri, her first loss in five career starts on dirt.

“Good work,” trainer Phil Sims said before departing for Kentucky to check on his string at Keeneland. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

On Fire Baby will be making her 4-year-old debut in the Apple Blossom.

She hasn’t started since May 28 because of bruised knees and a muscle problem behind.

Grace Hall was assigned co-top weight of 118 pounds for the Apple Blossom. She is scheduled to start in the 1 1-16-mile race.

Weights for other projected starters: Summer Applause (117), Tiz Miz Sue (117), Don’t Tell Sophia (116) and On Fire Baby (115).

Last tune?

Trainer Chris Richard said owner Maggi Moss will decide when the Oaklawn meeting ends whether to retire “Horse for Course” Outta Tune or turn out the 8-year-old gelding and await the 2014 meeting.

Outta Tune won Friday’s ninth race, a starter allowance/optional claiming sprint for older horses, to run his record in Hot Springs to 6 of 9 overall, a stretch of success highlighted by the $250,000 Grade III Count Fleet Sprint Handicap last year.

“We’re not going to run him at Prairie or anywhere else the rest of the year,” Richard said Saturday morning. “He’s definitely done when the meet’s over. She hasn’t made up her mind.”

Richard said Moss, a prominent attorney from Des Moines, Iowa, has already secured a spot to make Outta Tune an event horse after his racing career ends.

“We’ve got a home for him once we retire him,” Richard said. “It’s up to her. The old horse likes what he does. He’s 8, but he’s healthy and doing good.”

Outta Tune has won 19 of 54 career starts and earned $441,833.