Stakes Advance – Oaklawn Handicap Day
At 1h44, on April 20, 2024 • By OAKLAWN PARK
Seven graded stakes winners are entered in Saturday’s $1.25 million G2-Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn, a 1 1/8-mile event for older runners that headlines a stakes tripleheader.
First post is 13:10 p.m. (Central), with probable post time for the Oaklawn Handicap, the 11th of 12 races, 6:52 p.m. The card also features the $200,000 Bathhouse Row Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles and the one-mile $200,000 Valley of the Vapors Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
The Oaklawn Handicap drew a field of 11. From the rail out, they are: Highland Falls, Florent Geroux to ride, 118 pounds, 9-2 on the morning line; Double Crown, Colby Hernandez, 115, 30-1; Magic Tap, Keith Asmussen, 118, 10-1; Octane, Julien Leparoux, 120, 5-1; Red Route One, Joel Rosario, 120, 7-2; Reincarnate, Juan Hernandez, 119, 4-1; Guntown, Ramon Vazquez, 115, 20-1; Last Samurai, Richard Eramia, 118, 20-1; County Final, Edwin Gonzalez, 116, 15-1; Skippylongstocking, Jose Ortiz, 122, 3-1; and Instant Coffee, Cristian Torres, 119, 15-1.
As part of the Maryland Jockey Club’s “Win Today, See You in May Series,” the Oaklawn Handicap winner receives automatic entry into the $250,000 G3-Pimlico Special at 1 3/16 miles May 17 at Pimlico. Program favorite Skippylongstocking is trying to give Florida-based trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. his first career Oaklawn victory.
Although Skippylongstocking is a multiple graded stakes winner of $1,654,185, he has never won consecutive races in his career. He exits a 2 ½-length victory in the $100,000 G3-Challenger Stakes for older horses March 9 at Tampa Bay Downs.
Skippylongstocking’s 22-race resume includes a front-running five-length victory in the $1 million G2-Charles Town Classic at 1 1/8 miles Aug. 25 at Charles Town and a third-place finish in the $1 million G1-Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.
Late-running millionaire Red Route One exits a victory in the $500,000 G2-New Orleans Classic for older horses at 1 1/8 miles March 23 at Fair Grounds for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. Red Route One made four starts last year at Oaklawn, including three in Kentucky Derby qualifying races. Red Route One capped his stay in Hot Springs with a victory in the $200,000 Bathhouse Row Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles in April.
