Very favored Nashville ran fast during his December 10 comeback at Oaklawn Park after more than 11 months of inactivity, but not fast enough, took 4 and a half lengths to Hollis , who burned 5 1/2 ao dai in a 1:02.17 record.
Friday’s $102,000-subsidized optional claims contest seemed to be making good progress initially for Nashville, who, in his first start since finishing fourth in the Runhappy Malibu Stakes (G1). ) last December, had a clear lead from his inside post under Florent Geroux with a quarter mile in: 21.81.
Then Hollis trailed Nashville after half a mile at: 44.99, and tied with every stride under Ricardo Santana Jr. Intern John Ortiz paid $11.20 to win as second favorite behind Nashville, who started at 1-5 odds.
New record 1:02.17 for 5 1/2 furlongs! Congratulations WSS Racing and 4 G Racing’s Hollis.@RSantana_Jr@ johnnyortiz24 pic.twitter.com/3SvxkYpBli
– Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (@OaklawnRacing) December 10, 2021
The winner received an equivalent Speed Number of 107.
“Hollis is a very special horse in our stables,” Ortiz said Friday night. “He has a personality like no other. We call him ‘The Destroyer’.” We call him ‘The Boxer’. He wants to join a war. He will join his struggle. That’s what I teach Ricardo. When he’s comfortable and you see Nashville let off steam, that’s when you come forward and join him. I know Ricardo was. He said to me, “Don’t worry Johnny, we still have a lot of stuff in the tank.” Good news.
“It was something I thought was going to happen pretty much – seeing Nashville up front and us watching him from the outside,” Ortiz said. “Right where we are, the fractions are perfect for Hollis. Instant sitting is the best thing.
“Honestly, when you run Hollis, you’re always in for an interesting race. You see in his record, he was so hot-tempered, he won with his nose, he lost with his nose. and he lacks nostrils.It’s always fun to win these races because he really never lets us down.We know we’re sending a horse that’s 300% ready. “
Win for WSS Racing (William Simon) and 4 G Racing (Brent and Sharilyn Gasaway) owners improved age 6 Street Sense gelding’s record was 9 for 22 and earned $420,333. On behalf of the Arkansas owner, Ortiz asked Hollis for $40,000 on May 25, 2020, at Churchill Downs.
Bred in Kentucky by Mueller Thoroughbred Stable, Hollis was one of two black stallions produced by his dam, staked horses. Pulp mare Miss Tilt . She has five winners from seven ponies.
Nashville is currently 3-1-0 in the five games that started after Friday’s loss. He is also a record holder himself, having raced six trailers in 1:07.89 at Keeneland win the Perryville Stakes there on the Breeders’ Cup roster in 2020.
