Caddo River Outlasts Frosted Grace in Oaklawn Allowance

Shortleaf Stable's homebred Caddo River  returned to the winner's circle winner Feb. 25 in his first start for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. The 5-year-old son of Hard Spun   eked out a neck score over Frosted Grace  in a $106,000 allowance optional claiming contest over a sloppy track at Oaklawn Park.

The 1 1/16-mile race drew a stakes-caliber field, including grade 1 winner and millionaire Max Player , though the latter did not finish. Making his first start in seven months for trainer Steve Asmussen, he was pulled up by jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. entering the first turn following a dreadful start. The Equibase chart noted he lost his action and was vanned off after the race.

#5 CADDO RIVER ($5.20) the son of Hard Spun won race 3 at Oaklawn Park. Joel Rosario was aboard for D. Wayne Lukas. The talent will update us on the status of Max Player if and when they get an update as he was pulled up. Watch more on @fandueltv. pic.twitter.com/K48F4a1wua

— TVG (@TVG) February 25, 2023

After Caddo River broke sixth of seven, jockey Joel Rosario roused his mount into contention, and the bay steadily forged his way to the front following opening splits of :23.80 and :48.10. Rolling on the outside, he took command over pacesetter Thomas Shelby  with six furlongs in 1:12.36, and down the stretch outlasted a rally from Frosted Grace.

Caddo River ($5.20) was timed in 1:44.61.

Frosted Grace was 4 3/4 lengths clear of Perfect Flight  in third.

Winless in his last three starts before Saturday, Caddo River was transferred to Lukas' barn following a neck loss when second in a Jan. 21 allowance optional claimer.

Caddo River, an impressive winner of the 2021 Smarty Jones Stakes and runner-up in that year's Arkansas Derby (G1) for prior trainer Brad Cox, has now bankrolled $741,400 in 17 starts.