Race Day Excels in Oaklawn 'Cap
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Matthew Schera's Race Day is proving to be a bargain after taking the $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park on April 11.
Schera purchased the gray son of Tapit at the 2014 Keeneland November sale for $285,000 and transferred the colt to the care of Todd Pletcher. Since that purchase, Race Day has won three of his last four starts, also taking the March 14 Razorback Handicap (gr. III) at Oaklawn.
"It certainly looks like that," said Schera, after being asked if the horse was a good purchase. "He's done everything right since we got him."
Breaking alertly from the rail under John Velazquez, Race Day was involved from the start, battling with Carve through a half-mile in :46.71 and into the stretch, before drawing off to score by 3 3/4 lengths as the 6-5 favorite.
"It worked out perfect," Velazquez said. "We went a little quicker than I expected to, but we had no choice to be up front. We got good position going into the first turn and I tried to save enough horse for the run home. He did everything so easy coming to the quarter pole. When I asked him right at the eighth pole he responded. Very proud of the way he ran today."
It was also the first grade II win for Race Day, who has now won five of eight career starts, with earnings of $610,450.
"It was a super effort," said Pletcher, who also saddled Lawyer Ron to victory in the 2007 Oaklawn Handicap.
After the race Schera said Race Day may try grade I competition next in the $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap from Belmont Park on June 6, as part of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) undercard.
"It's very exciting," Schera said. "We're thinking the Met Mile next and see how he comes out of it. We always put the horse first."
Carve lasted to be a clear second, while second-choice Tapiture edged out Golden Lad by a neck for third. The field was completed by Street Strategy, Hard Aces, For Greater Glory, Russellin, and Sammy Mandeville.
"I'm not really going to complain," said jockey Jesus Castanon, aboard Carve. "He was really in the bridle today and was happy doing it. He was up there with the winner for most of the race and really tried. He was second best today."
Race Day ran the 1 1/8-mile event in 1:47.93 and returned $4.40 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.80 to show.
Carve paid $7.20 to place and $4.80 to show, while Tapiture returned $3.20 to show.
Race Day was bred in Kentucky by James Miller and is out of the More Than Ready mare Rebalite.
The gray 4-year-old began his career under the care of trainer Kellyn Gorder, finishing third in his debut on Aug. 8 of last year at Ellis Park. He then finished second at Ellis on Aug. 29, before finally breaking his maiden in his third career start at Keeneland on Oct. 3.
He then won an allowance race at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2 before being placed in the sale.