On an afternoon that weather threatened to overshadow horse racing as the main storyline at Oaklawn Park, an Arkansas-bred filly returned the spotlight to its rightful place.
Ministry won her second Oaklawn stakes race and for the second time at the meeting Saturday in the $100,000 Downdustytheroad Breeders'. The 4-year-old daughter of Ordained joined All About Allie as a Rainbow Miss winner of the sprint stake for older state-bred fillies and mares.
With Tommy Pompell aboard, and favored at even money, Ministry shook loose from a pack at the head of the stretch and chased Ms Fifty First St. in the slop. Ministry went by from outside past the sixteenth-mile marker, winning by a length and a quarter over 19-1 longshot Avisionofchocolate in 1:13.32. Ms Fifty First St., a last-out Oaklawn winner for Louisiana-based trainer Al Stall Jr., was three quarters of a length back in third.
Paying $4, $3.20 and $2.40 to her backers, Ministry improved her career earnings to $236,920 from seven starts for Starfish Stable LLC. Owner Linda Robbins stands Ordained, a former Wayne Lukas trainee, for $1,000 at the former Tiffany Farm in western Garland County.
Though it took her three starts to win over the track, Ministry has won her last four at Oaklawn, all against state-breds. She paired victories in a $72,000 maiden-special-weight race last March 5 and, by a widening 6 3/4 lengths, in the $100,000 Rainbow Miss April 1. Ministry raced only once more in 2017, resting from May until a Jan. 21 Oaklawn allowance that she won by 2 3/4 lengths despite a traffic jam in the stretch.
"We took her to south Louisiana and focused for this race all year long," said trainer Jaime Gonzalez. "She was just fantastic. She ran good at Churchill (Downs) on a track like this. I wasn't worried at all. She does it all (and) makes me look good."
Robbins said she would leave questions about Ministry's next race up to Gonzalez. Sprint options at Oaklawn include the $150,000 Carousel April 7 against open company.
$125,000 Gazebo Stakes
Benefiting from an unlikely speed duel between stablemates, Delta Downs invader Bourne in Nixa prevailed by a length and three quarters in the $125,000 Gazebo, a sprint stake for 3-year-olds.
Under Ramon Vazquez, the More Than Ready surged from fifth on the turn with a bold move in the middle of the track. Mitole, 2-5 favorite off a 10-length maiden win Feb. 3, outkicked Direct Dial by a neck in a two-three finish for Steve Asmussen trainees with trips out of "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."
Bobbling at the start under Ricardo Santana Jr., Mitole wasn't allowed a moment's rest, exchanging the lead with Direct Dial through a half-mile in 46.22 seconds. Gary Stevens then lost his whip in the stretch on Direct Dial, compromising the chances of the Texas shipper though he finished more than seven lengths ahead of fourth-place finisher Inge.
Benefiting most was Bourne in Nixa, shipping north after running sixth in a Delta Downs stakes race Jan. 13, shortening Saturday to six furlongs and to one turn after two circuits of the Vinton, La., bullring.
"I knew there was a lot of speed in the race," said Vazquez. "I wanted to take my horse back and just make one run, and he finished."
Bourne in Nixa won in the mud last year at Indiana Grand and over a fast Churchill Downs surface. The Big Drama at Delta represented the dark bay or brown colt's first stakes race.
"He really didn't like the two turns and it's a funny track," said trainer Steve Margolis. "But I've really been kind of looking to run him. At Fair Grounds, there's nothing for him. We really liked how the horse was doing. I talked to Robert (Low, owner) and said, 'Let's nominate him and see how this race comes up."'
In Margolis' absence, Dan Peitz saddled Bourne in Nixa for longtime clients Low and wife Lawana of Springfield, Mo., who also bred the colt. Clocking six furlongs in 1:11.75, the Gazebo winner paid $14.60, $4.60 and $2.40. With $75,000 Saturday, Bourne in Nixa has earned $132,930.
Sports on 02/25/2018