CALEB'S POSSE (Posse), winner of the Smarty Jones S. on January 17,
smoothly returned to work Saturday morning at Oaklawn Park under ideal
weather conditions, posting a quick five-furlong breeze over the fast
track in preparation
for the $250,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) on February 21.
With jockey Eddie Razo Jr. aboard, Caleb's Posse posted a time of
1:01 -- co-fastest of 31 horses at that distance -- for trainer Donnie
Von Hemel. Interestingly, the other horse to go in 1:01 was Billy Two
Hats (Aragorn [Ire]), a maiden three-year-old who worked from the gate
for Donnie's father Don Von Hemel.
"He's come back excellent from his race," said Razo, Oaklawn's 2008
leading rider was aboard for Caleb's Posse's 2 3/4-length victory in the
Smarty Jones. "He is really on the muscle. I worked him before and he
was more laid back. Today he was really handy and I felt like I might
have gone a little quicker than I liked, but I didn't want to take
anything from him."
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