After considering an overseas venture at the beginning of this year, the connections of graded stakes-winning millionaire Lone Rock decided to keep the gelding at Oaklawn Park after an uncharacteristic sixth-place finish in the Feb. 12 Razorback Handicap (G3).
The marathon specialist will now return to what he does best April 3 in the $150,000 Temperence Hill Stakes at the Hot Springs oval. Second in last year's Temperence Hill, Lone Rock went on to score three straight victories at the 1 1/2-mile distance following that effort, including an 11 1/4-length romp in the Brooklyn Stakes Presented by Northwell Health (G2).
At a 1 1/16-miles, trainer Robertino Diodoro admitted the distance of the Razorback was "a little bit short" for Lone Rock. Prior to that start, the 7-year-old son of Majestic Warrior bested Temperence Hill rival and multiple graded stakes winner Tenfold when capturing the Dec. 18 Tinsel Stakes at Oaklawn traveling 1 1/8-miles.
Owned by Flying P Stable and R.A. Hill Stable, Lone Rock will break from the inside post with regular pilot Ramon Vazquez in the irons.
Long Rock's biggest challenge should come from the Indiana-bred Strong Tide. A stakes winner on the turf and graded stakes-placed on the turf, the Michael Lauer trainee decimated a 1 1/2-mile allowance optional claimer field by 10 1/2 lengths last out Feb. 25 at Oaklawn.
Entries: Temperence Hill S.
Oaklawn Park, Sunday, April 3, 2022, Race 8
- STK
- 1 1/2m
- Dirt
- $150,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 4:39 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Lone Rock (KY) | Ramon A. Vazquez | 124 | Robertino Diodoro | 9/5 |
| 2 | 2Last Samurai (KY) | Jon Kenton Court | 124 | Dallas Stewart | 7/2 |
| 3 | 3Tenfold (KY) | Joel Rosario | 117 | Steven M. Asmussen | 5/1 |
| 4 | 4Strong Tide (IN) | Geovanni Franco | 124 | Michael E. Lauer | 2/1 |
| 5 | 5Goalie (KY) | David Cohen | 124 | Robertino Diodoro | 6/1 |
| 6 | 6Warbird (KY) | Florent Geroux | 117 | Michael W. McCarthy | 10/1 |
