Man in the Can, Sekani Win Arkansas-Bred Stakes
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Photo: Coady Photography
Man in the Can gives a late run to score in the Rainbow Stakes at Oaklawn Park
JRita Young Thoroughbreds homebred Man in the Can made a successful stakes debut at Oaklawn Park, taking the $100,000 Rainbow Stakes for 3-year-old Arkansas-breds April 17.
Trained by Ron Moquett, the Can the Man colt was making just his third start in the six-furlong test after breaking his maiden on debut at Remington Park in December and then finishing sixth in a Feb. 27 allowance at Oaklawn.
Outrun early on, jockey Joel Rosario settled Man in the Can in fifth and then moved up to fourth as fractions set by heavily favored Zaino Boyz went in :21.69 and :45.17 for a half-mile. Zaino Boyz maintained a two-length lead heading into the stretch while the eventual winner was back in fourth. Captain Don, racing in second, challenged the leader, who faltered late and fell away. Once Rosario got Man in the Can running, the colt sprinted to catch the leaders and arrived at the wire a half-length in front of Captain Don in 1:10.64 on the fast track.
Man in the Can returned $6.40 to win. Tempt Fate got up for third by a neck over Zaino Boyz.
"I was very proud," Moquett said. "I thought the jock did a great job paying attention to what was going on. Whenever he made the far turn and I saw him still sitting up high and everybody else was riding, I thought we had a good shot. We just needed to figure out a way to get him through there. He's still a green horse. He's still learning."
Man in the Can is the first winner out of the Smoke Glacken mare Smeauxkininthelane.
Video: Rainbow S.
Two stakes for Arkansas-bred 3-year-olds buoyed Friday's racecard at Oaklawn, and the $106,000 Rainbow Miss Stakes for fillies was run earlier in the day.
Sekani, a daughter of Double Irish out of the Harperstown mare Merry Mittens, won for the second time in four starts in capturing the Rainbow Miss. Fourth early under Declan Cannon, she advanced three wide on the turn and outfinished stablemate The Mary Rose by 1 1/2 lengths. She raced six furlongs in 1:10.92, paying $6.60 as the second choice.
William VanMeter trains both Sekani and The Mary Rose, who are owned and were bred John Ed Anthony's Shortleaf Stable in Arkansas. Sekani has made $131,800 over her career. After a debut second at Ellis Park last summer, she won a maiden race at Oaklawn in February before fading to fourth in an allowance in her first start against winners in March.
"These small moments, they go back four years when John Ed bred these horses, and there's been so many hands that have touched them," VanMeter said. "We're just kind of at the culmination of four years of hard work by a lot of great people, and it's great to see them run 1-2. The Mary Rose van a very credible race. I think she was hindered a little bit by her post-position draw. … I thought both jockeys rode a great race, not getting too aggressive early and stalking and pouncing at the right time. It was one of those rare occasions where the trip worked out."
Sekani is the second winner from three foals to race from Merry Mittens, who compiled a 2-3-1 record from seven starts with earnings of $95,610.
Her victory provided Double Irish with his first black type from one of his progeny. He stands for $1,000 at McDowell Farm in Arkansas.
Favored Choctaw Charlie ran third, 2 1/4 lengths behind the runner-up.