Long Range Toddy Joins Stewart Stable
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Long Range Toddy at Churchill Downs
A year ago, Long Range Toddy was among the most prominent 3-year-olds on the grounds at Oaklawn Park after winning the Remington Springboard Mile Stakes at 2 and finishing second in the Smarty Jones Stakes, Oaklawn's first of four races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
The 4-year-old son of Take Charge Indy is back at Oaklawn with a new trainer and on the comeback trail after his first workout of the season Feb. 9. Long Range Toddy went three furlongs in :38 2/5 for breeder/owner Willis Horton Racing and Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots-based trainer Dallas Stewart, who was in town at Hot Springs, Ark., last week to check on his Oaklawn division.
Long Range Toddy, previously with Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, hasn't started since finishing seventh in the Sept. 29 Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park. There's no target date for his comeback race.
"I've got to do my job and see what happens," Stewart said. "Take our time with him, and we'll see."
Long Range Toddy's biggest victory came last year in the first division of the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn. He also ran sixth in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn and was placed 16th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
Stewart said he reunited with Horton about a month ago. They teamed to win the 2006 Kentucky Oaks (G1) as partners with Lemons Forever. Their first starter at the 2020 Oaklawn meeting, Awe Emma, was also previously trained by Asmussen and ran fifth in her Feb. 7 allowance-level comeback race.