Asmussen Duo Headline Oaklawn's Gazebo Stakes

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Photo: Coady Photography
Cazadero wins the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs

Trainer Steve Asmussen sends out a pair of quality 3-year-old colts in Cazadero and Jaxon Traveler for the March 20 Gazebo Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Six sophomores will line up for the six-furlong $150,000 Gazebo, the feature event on Saturday's 11-race card in Hot Springs.

Stonestreet Stables' Cazadero proved to be a precocious juvenile last summer when airing the field by 4 3/4 lengths in the June 27 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on the heels of an eye-popping debut victory. The Street Sense  colt was then sent to Saratoga Race Course where he finished a non-threatening fifth behind stablemate Jackie's Warrior in the Aug. 7 Saratoga Special Stakes Presented by Miller Lite (G2).

Away from the races since that effort, Cazadero has prepared for the first start of his 2021 campaign with a series of breezes at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, including a bullet :59 five-furlongs from the gate March 7.

The current leading rider of the Oaklawn meet, Ricardo Santana Jr., takes the reins on Cazadero.

Maryland-bred Jaxon Traveler should poise a formidable challenge to his stablemate. The son of Munnings  enters the Gazebo undefeated after three consecutive triumphs on the Mid-Atlantic circuit, including a last out black-type win versus state-breds in the Dec. 5 Maryland Juvenile Futurity. In the bay's second start, an Oct. 23 allowance optional claimer against open company at Laurel Park, Jaxon Traveler drew off to a four-length score over fellow Gazebo entrant Sir Wellington.

Francisco Arrieta will be aboard the West Point Thoroughbreds and Marvin Delfiner-owned colt.


Entries: Gazebo S.

Oaklawn Park, Saturday, March 20, 2021, Race 10

  • STK
  • 6f
  • Dirt
  • $150,000
  • 3 yo
  • 5:52 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1Sir Wellington (LA)Keeneland Sales Graduate Alex L. Canchari 119 McLean Robertson 7/2
2 2Dusty Hill (AR) Terry J. Thompson 117 Tim Dixon 8/1
3 3Lock Up (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate David Cabrera 117 D. Wayne Lukas 10/1
4 4Jaxon Traveler (MD)Keeneland Sales Graduate Francisco Arrieta 119 Steven M. Asmussen 5/2
5 5Game Day Play (KY) Ramon A. Vazquez 119 W. Bret Calhoun 3/1
6 6Cazadero (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Ricardo Santana, Jr. 119 Steven M. Asmussen 9/5