First seen two years ago against maiden claimers, Martini Glass might appear next in the third Grade 1 race of her 23-race career.
The 5-year-old mare scored her 10th, and biggest, victory Saturday in Grade 2 $400,000 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Trainer and co-owner Keith Nations, after one successful foray to Arkansas, said Oaklawn's Grade 1 $700,000 Apple Blossom Handicap April 14 will be considered for the 5-year-old mare's next start.
Just don't look for Kitalpha's daughter in a claiming race, circumstances under which Nations took the Kentucky-bred mare for $16,000 in her February 2016 debut at Tampa Bay Downs. Though overshadowed nationally, Martini Glass brought solid credentials to Oaklawn, placing second in two Grade 1 races last year and winning the Grade 3 Royal Delta Feb. 19 going a mile at Gulfstream Park after placing third in the Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic Jan. 28 at Sam Houston Race Park.
Nations called the Azeri, which Martini Glass won by three lengths, "probably" the best race she has ever run, though "the last race was pretty good, too."
With Paco Lopez aboard, Martini Glass stalked pacesetter Farrell into the far turn and took command at the head of the stretch. Houston Ladies Classic winner Actress, the first Oaklawn starter for trainer Jason Servis, got up for second by a half length as 19-10 betting favorite. Farrell, Oaklawn's Pippin winner in January for trainer Wayne Catalano, took the show spot by 2 1/2 lengths.
Martini Glass, high-weighted at 122 pounds, went the fast-rated mile and sixteenth in 1:42.95. Second choice in the betting, she paid $8.80, $3.60 and $2.80.
"She loves to run. She loves to train. She does everything with a lot of enthusiasm," Nations said. "I can just tell she's getting better."
Jose Ortiz, aboard Actress, could find no fault with last year's Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (Pimlico) and Grade 3 Comely Stakes (Aqueduct) winner.
"We had a good trip, followed Paco all the way around there," Ortiz said. "Paco kicked on -- nice filly, too. And my filly kicked on, but second best today."
Essex Handicap: In two races as a 4-year-old, a former fringe player for Todd Pletcher has become an emerging star in the trainer's vast stable.
Hedge Fund, in his Oaklawn debut, led down the backstretch and fought off Dalmore at the head of the stretch in the $300,000 Essex Handicap. Headed near the quarter pole, Hedge Fund bounced off the turn in front inside Dalmore and drew off for a two-length triumph over local veteran Untrapped. Blueridge Traveler, a last-out stakes winner in Texas off an early-season Oaklawn victory, got up for third with Dalmore fourth in a race he placed seventh last year.
A slight favorite, with Jose Ortiz riding and carrying 115 pounds, Hedge Fund went a fast-rated mile and sixteenth in 1:42.06 and paid $7, $4.40 and $3. Bettering the second-place finish of sire Super Saver in the 2010 Arkansas Derby, Hedge Fund scored both his first victory in 13 months and first in four stakes appearances. His best previous stakes finish was second to Essex starter Multiplier in last year's Grade 3 Illinois Derby.
Dalmore, a California shipper trained by Bob Hess Jr. and ridden Saturday by Paco Lopez, chased Hedge Fund through a half-mile in 46.13 seconds. Unchallenged at a mile and sixteenth in a length-and-a-half comeback race Feb. 11 at Gulfstream Park, the chestnut Hedge Fund responded promptly to Dalmore's early-stretch challenge.
"The horse on the outside (Dalmore) moved by the three-eighths pole, so I had to get going," Ortiz said. "My horse got going at the quarter pole and he really gave me a great run to the wire. I won on him the last time and we did kind of the same thing. I talked to Todd and he said whatever is comfortable. He broke really well and he put himself in the lead."
Dazzling Gem, a last-out Oaklawn winner for trainer Brad Cox, finished sixth after a stalking trip down the backstretch.
With $180,000 for the Essex, Hedge Fund has career earnings of $376,560 from seven starts, three victories included. Owners include breeder Kenny Troutt of Kentucky's WinStar Farm LLC.
Last year's Essex winner, the Bob Baffert-trained Mor Spirit, went on to capture the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile at Texas' Lone Star Park and the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at New York's Belmont Park.
Sports on 03/18/2018