April 20, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Mission: Complete
A first-rate effort from First Mission in Saturday’s $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) propelled the hard-nosed 5-year-old over $2 million in lifetime earnings.
Slotted into post three, the 6-5 closing line choice hovered around the middle of the eight-horse field before splitting two rivals en route to the confident two-length score.
In the win column after finishing third in his 2025 debut – the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap on Feb. 2 – First Mission is now 6-2-1 with three graded stakes triumphs across a dozen lifetime starts.
The Brad Cox charge’s most lavish victory paid $4.80.
Right Where I Belong
It’s been nothing but California Dreamin’ for Richi (CHI), who on Saturday at Santa Anita, captured her second graded title since joining the west coast circuit last June.
Under the hand of rider Antonio Fresu, the 5-year-old mare made light work of four foes to take the $200,000 Santa Maria (G2) in a gate-to-wire 4 ½-length drubbing.
While not unexpected for the 3-5 closing line favorite, the dominant display officially reversed a mini two-race winless drought that very nearly came to an end the start prior – Richi finished three-quarters-of-a-length behind the leader in March’s Beholder Mile (G1).
The Bob Baffert trainee’s memorable weekend outing paid a modest $3.20.
“Call Me Mint Jelly…”
It took until his 11th start for Tennessee Lamb to contest a stakes race, but the 4-year-old workhorse made the most of his first opportunity.
Returning to the relatively familiar confines of Keeneland (third career appearance there) for the $348,750 Ben Ali (G3), Tennessee Lamb set the tone by making an early push for the lead.
The prudent strategy ultimately paid dividends, as the Jose Ortiz mount held firm for the 1 ¼-length tally.
The third, and most rewarding win of Tennessee Lamb’s career was equally memorable for his trainer Rusty Arnold, who tied Bill Mott as the winningest conditioner in Keeneland history (307).
At 7-2, Tennessee Lamb paid $9.74
Brand New Horse
Following two less than inspiring attempts at the graded stakes level to kick off 2025, Utah Beach took Keeneland’s Saturday afternoon crowd by storm with a brilliant showing in the $394,188 Elkhorn (G3T).
Sent off as an 11-1 underdog, the Vincent Cheminaud mount put it all together in a determined, come-from-behind victory by a head over 3-1 second choice Limited Liability.
The Elkhorn effort was a night and day difference from Utah Beach’s two previous showings – the Williams L. McKnight (G3) and Kentucky Cup Classic (G3) – where he finished ninth and fourth, respectively.
Bettors also benefited from the 5-year-old gelding’s landmark victory, which paid a cool $25.40.
Still Counts
While it wasn’t the walk in the park 3-5 favorite Instant Replay was hoping for, the ascending 3-year-old colt got the job done in Saturday’s $200,000 Bathhouse Row Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
Lined up in post six, Instant Replay and rider Flavien Prat drove wide and remained there for the lion’s share of the 1 1/8-mile affair.
From their locked position out wide, the pair fought gamely to close the gap atop the field and successfully did so in the latter stages for the win by three-quarters-of-a-length over Caldera (2-1).
Instant Replay’s third win from seven starts, and first of the stakes variety, paid a light $3.40.
