Millionaire multiple Grade 2 winner Lone Rock is staying home.
After being considered for a race next month in the Middle East, trainer Robertino Diodoro said Lone Rock will instead remain at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark., and be pointed to the $150,000 Temperence Hill Stakes for older horses at 1 ½ miles April 2.
Diodoro decided to keep Lone Rock at Oaklawn after the gelding finished a non-threatening sixth under regular rider Ramon Vazquez in the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) for older horses Feb. 12. The 1 1/16-mile Razorback was Lone Rock's possible prep for the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) March 26 in the United Arab Emirates.
“As the day went on that day, it got colder out, so then it got more speed biased because they couldn't put water on the track,” Diodoro said, adding the Razorback was also “little bit short” for the gelding. “Lone Rock, Ramon said he didn't even get a chance to get warmed up and galloped out a long way. Just unfortunate there.”
Lone Rock was coming off a three-quarter length victory over stablemate Thomas Shelby in the inaugural $200,000 Tinsel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles Dec. 18.
Lone Rock flourished in marathon events last year, finishing second in the Temperence Hill before winning the $130,000 Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs, $400,000 Brooklyn Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park, $120,000 Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga and the $250,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (G2) Nov. 6 at Del Mar in which he set a 1 5/8-mile track record (2:42.61). The Isaac Murphy and Brooklyn were all 1 ½ miles. The Birdstone was 1 ¾ miles. Lone Rock also won a 1 ½-mile allowance race at the 2021 Oaklawn meeting.
Diodoro said Lone Rock and Thomas Shelby exited the Razorback in good shape. Thomas Shelby finished second, beaten a neck by Plainsman, in a stirring stretch battle.
“Thomas Shelby ran his guts out,” Diodoro said.
Diodoro said next-race plans are pending for Thomas Shelby. The Curlin gelding, still seeking his first career stakes victory, races for M and M Racing (Mike and Mickala Sisk), Oaklawn's leading owner the last four meetings.
“I've shed a few tears after a win,” said Diodoro, Oaklawn's leading trainer in 2020. “I don't think I have after a loss. But that day, I was about ready to bust a few tears.”
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