Trainer
Gary “Red Dog” Hartlage said Thursday morning that owner Anita Cauley
wants a “fresh horse” for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) May 4, so the decision
has been made to
not start their multiple graded stakes winner On Fire Baby in either
the Fantasy Stakes (G2) Wednesday, April 11 or the Arkansas Derby (G1),
Saturday, April 14. Both races had been under consideration since the
Smoke Glacken filly won the $125,000 Honeybee
Stakes (G3) on March 10.
“This
was completely Anita’s decision,” said Hartlage. “She wants a fresh
horse for the Kentucky Oaks and that’s what she’s going to get. I know I
can get her ready. I
already know she can get the distance. She’s fine. Everything is ok. We
have just decided to train up to the Oaks.”
On
Fire Baby became an early favorite for the Kentucky Oaks last fall when
she won both the Pocahantas (G2) and Golden Rod (G2) Stakes at
Churchill Downs. In addition
to her win against her own sex in the Honeybee, she also finished third
in the January 16 Smarty Jones Stakes against males.
Entries for the Fantasy Stakes will be taken tomorrow, Friday, April 6.