Oaklawn Opens Friday
Oaklawn Park opens Friday, and “this year might be the track’s best yet,” with record purses, more wagering options, a “souped-up” three-year-old series, and full barns to draw on for races.
Trainer John Servis is at Oaklawn and planning on bringing back two of his best horses from layoffs during the meet. Out for much of 2005 with a severe foot injury sustained in the 2004 Remsen, Rockport Harbor could make his long anticipated return to racing in the Essex Handicap on February 11. The gash in Rockport’s hoof is completely healed, said Servis, who described the four-year-old colt as “much more aggressive in his gallops … He’s gotten to be, he’s like Smarty Jones now. The son of a b**** is tough as nails. That’s a good sign.” Acorn winner Round Pond, recovered from surgery last July for a bone chip in her knee, may also start next month. “She is coming along faster than I expected, so there’s a possibility she might run in February,” said Servis.
The opening day stakes at Oaklawn is the Dixieland for three-year-olds at five and half furlongs, and Servis will be represented in that race by Fidrych, who has won two of his last three starts at six furlongs going wire-to-wire. He won’t be the only speed in the race though — there are several fast colts among the 10 entered, including Steve Asmussen’s Catonight (winner of the Sugar Bowl at Louisiana Downs) and Cole Norman’s Corredor de Plata. Trainer Tim Ritchey has entered Urban Guy, his promising three-year-old sprinter.
