Hot Springs, AR (Sports Network) – Race Day, one of two horses in the field
trained by Todd Pletcher, ran to victory Saturday in the $600,000 Oaklawn
Handicap at Oaklawn Park.
Owned by Matthew Schera, Race Day went off as the 6-5 favorite in the nine-
horse field of older horses in the 1 1/8-mile handicap. Stablemate Golden Lad
was the 5-1 third pick with Tapiture 3-1.
Race Day, ridden by John Velazquez, took the lead entering the backstretch
with Carve to his outside in second. The pair continued on the lead into the
far turn and around the turn for home.
Race Day running on the inside shook loose from Carve down the stretch and
posted a three-length victory. Carve was followed by Tapiture, Golden Lad,
Street Strategy, Hard Aces, For Greater Glory, Russellin and Sammy Mandeville.
Irish You Well was scratched to run in Keeneland’s Ben Ali earlier in the day.
The time for the Oaklawn Handicap was 1:47.93 on a fast track.
Race Day notched his second consecutive stakes victory and added $360,000 to
his earnings. The 4-year-old gray colt has won five of his last six starts and
is five of eight in his career for $610,450.
The colt was coming off a neck victory in the $250,000 Razorback Handicap
March 14 at Oaklawn. However, he began the year with a disappointing third as
the 17-10 favorite in Gulfstream Park’s Fred Hooper on Feb. 7.
Race Day paid $4.40, $3.60 and $2.80. Carve returned $7.20 and $4.80, and
Tapiture paid $3.20 to show.
