Millionaire Mr. Wireless returns to Oaklawn in search of his fourth career stakes victory in Friday's inaugural $150,000 Lake Ouachita for older horses at 1 1/16 miles.
Probable post time for the Lake Ouachita, the 10th of 11 races on the penultimate day of the 68-day meeting, is 5:46 p.m. (Central). Racing begins at 12:20 p.m.
The projected nine-horse Lake Ouachita field from the rail out:
- Forza Di Oro, Isaac Castillo to ride, 117 pounds, 9-2 on the morning line;
- Joe Frazier, Kylee Jordan, 117, 15-1;
- Mailman Money, Gabriel Saez, 117, 6-1;
- Ain't Life Grand, Martin Garcia, 119, 12-1;
- Icarus, David Cohen, 121, 30-1;
- Great Escape, Francisco Arrieta, 121, 8-1;
- Mr. Wireless, Deshawn Parker, 119, 2-1,
- Frosted Grace, Cristian Torres, 121, 3-1; and
- Perfect Flight, Mitchell Murrill, 119, 15-1.
Program favorite Mr. Wireless, as a 3-year-old, ran twice at the 2021 Oaklawn meeting, breaking his maiden at a mile and clearing his first allowance condition at 1 1/16 miles. Both victories were by a nose. The maiden victory was over future Grade 1 winner Stilleto Boy, who finished a close third in the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles April 22. Mr. Wireless also won the $500,000 West Virginia Derby (G3) and $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) later in 2021 and the $100,000 Michael G. Schaefer Memorial Stakes at 1 mile and 70 yards July 9 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Mr. Wireless made his last four starts at Fair Grounds – all stakes – and recorded three runner-up finishes before finishing third, beaten 5 ½ lengths by West Will Power, in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles March 25. West Will Power is the 2-1 program favorite for the $600,000 Alysheba Stakes (G2) for older horses at 1 1/16 miles Friday at Churchill Downs. Also entered in the Alysheba are 2022 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike; Last Samurai, winner of the 2022 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and runner-up this year; Grade 1 winner Art Collector; and Grade 2 winner Smile Happy, third in this year's $400,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3). Mr. Wireless was nominated to the Alysheba, but trainer Bret Calhoun opted for the more conservative route.
“He's a gelding and we really don't have a whole lot to prove and those are the top races,” Calhoun said. “He's run hard all winter and been unfortunate not to win and we thought we needed to find a place that wasn't quite as competitive as a race like that.”
Mr. Wireless ($1,000,907) surpassed $1 million career earnings in the New Orleans Classic. The 5-year-old son of Dialed In has compiled a 6-4-2 record from 16 career starts.
“He tries every single time,” Calhoun said. “He's had a very successful career. He's been a little unfortunate in his last few, but it's not from lack of effort.”
Grade 3 winner Forza Di Oro exits a third-place finish in the $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) for older horses at 1 1/16 miles March 18 at Oaklawn for trainer Brad Cox. Forza Di Oro made his previous two starts at Fair Grounds, finishing third, just behind Mr. Wireless, in the $100,000 Tenacious Stakes Dec. 26 and $150,000 Louisiana Stakes (G3) Jan. 21. Both races were 1 1/16 miles. Forza Di Oro is seeking his first victory since a July 2021 allowance at Saratoga – West Will Power was second – when with Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
“Knocking on the door,” said Cox, who also now trains West Will Power. “Thought his last race was really good. Hopefully, it (class relief) will get him over the top and get him to the winner's circle because he hasn't been there in a while.”
Robertino Diodoro, Oaklawn's leading trainer this season, is scheduled to send out Grade 3 winner Great Escape and Frosted Grace. Both horses exit allowance victories at the 2022-2023 Oaklawn meeting. Great Escape captured the $200,000 Canadian Derby (G3) Aug. 20 at Century Mile, setting a track record (2:01.35) for 1 ¼ miles.
“Both horses are doing good,” Diodoro said. “Unfortunately, they're going to be running against each other.”
Ain't Life Grand won the $200,000 Iowa Derby at 1 1/16 miles July 9 at Prairie Meadows and, in his 4-year-old debut, finished seventh behind Frosted Grace in a March 18 allowance at 1 1/16 miles for trainer Kelly Von Hemel.
Mailman Money, seeking his first career stakes victory, exits a 1 1/16-mile allowance victory March 24 at Fair Grounds for Calhoun.
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