John Ed Anthony | Horse Racing Free Tips

Arkansas Derby: Cox Instructs Geroux To Be ‘More Aggressive’ Early With Caddo River

Brad Cox already has two horses ticketed to the Kentucky Derby in unbeaten champion Essential Quality and Mandaloun. Whether the 2020 Eclipse Award-winning trainer has a third will depend on the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) Saturday at Oaklawn.

Cox will send out Caddo River in the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby, which is Oaklawn's fourth and final Kentucky Derby points race. A homebred for John Ed Anthony of Hot Springs, Caddo River got off to a rousing start on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, registering a record-breaking 10 ¼-length front-running victory in the $150,000 Smarty Jones Jan. 22 at Oaklawn in his two-turn, stakes and 3-year-old debut.

But in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles March 13 – Oaklawn's third Kentucky Derby points race – Concert Tour, from post 7, beat favored Caddo River to the lead going into the first turn, controlled the pace throughout and cruised home by 4 ¼ lengths to remain unbeaten in three career starts. It was Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's record-extending eighth Rebel victory. Caddo River, keen early following a rail draw, finished fifth, beaten 6 ¾ lengths, after chasing Concert Tour on the outside to the top of the stretch.

Caddo River will try to reignite his Kentucky Derby hopes in the Arkansas Derby, a race Anthony has won a record three times (1980 with Temperence Hill, 1987 with Demons Begone and 1992 with Pine Bluff).

“Post-wise, it's very similar, I guess, to last time,” Cox said Tuesday afternoon. “We'll see how things go. We're going to try and be a little bit more involved early – more aggressive, I think, if we can. That's really the tactics we're going to take into the race. We'll see if that works any different.”

The projected six-horse Arkansas Derby field from the rail out following Tuesday's post-position draw: Super Stock, Ricardo Santana Jr. to ride, 122 pounds; Caddo River, Florent Geroux, 122; Hozier, Martin Garcia, 118; Get Her Number, Francisco Arrieta, 122; Concert Tour, Joel Rosario, 122; and Last Samurai, Jon Court, 118.

Probable post time for the Arkansas Derby, which will be televised live by NBC Sports Network, is 6:41 p.m. (Central). It goes as the 12th of 13 races. First post Saturday is 12:02 p.m., with the infield open, weather permitting.

Caddo River has had two published workouts, both against stablemates, since the Rebel. He went a half-mile in :48 March 27 and 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 last Saturday. Caddo River's workmate last month, Joe Frazier, returned to win an entry-level allowance sprint for 3-year-olds last Saturday at Keeneland. Caddo River breezed last weekend with Night Ops, a multiple stakes-winning older horse.

“Not really anything other than what we've done in the past,” Cox said. “Just maintain fitness, really, I guess would be the thing. He's a good work horse. Probably more of a free-running horse. I kind of think we found that out last time. Florent kind of took ahold of him up the backside and that didn't really seem what he (Caddo River) wanted to do.”

The Arkansas Derby will offer 170 points to the top four finishers (100-40-20-10) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. The 1 ¼-mile race is limited to 20 starters, with starting preference given to the top 18 point earners in designated races like the Arkansas Derby. The top point earners on the European and Japan Road the Kentucky Derby will receive invitations.

Concert Tour earned 50 points for his Rebel victory and ranks No. 13 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard compiled by Churchill Downs. Stablemate and Rebel runner-up Hozier (20 points) is No. 26, Grade 1 winner Get Her Number (10) is No. 33, Caddo River (10) is No. 36 and Rebel fourth Super Stock (9) is No. 41. Get Her Number finished seventh in the Rebel.

Caddo River will need a strong showing Saturday, likely first or second, to join Essential Quality and Mandaloun in the Kentucky Derby starting gate for Cox May 1 at Churchill Downs.

“I don't think we want to run in the Derby unless we feel like we have a real shot,” said Cox, who has never had a Kentucky Derby starter. “Ultimately, that's going to be up to Mr. John Ed. On my end, I want to go into the Derby, if we're fortunate to have three horses, with three live shots, not what I feel like are two live shots right now and another horse just kind of getting in the way. I think the talent's there for him to be a Derby horse. He needs to show up and show that he can swim in the deep end of the pool on Saturday.”

Anthony, among the most successful owners in Oaklawn history, has had a resurgence in recent years. He has had six Kentucky Derby starters, the last coming in 1993 with Prairie Bayou, who finished second as the betting favorite. Anthony also had the favorite in 1987 with Demons Begone, who bled shortly after the start and didn't finish the race. Pine Bluff ran fifth in the 1992 Kentucky Derby. Both Prairie Bayou and Pine Bluff did win the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Cox won Oaklawn's second Kentucky Derby points race this year, the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 27, with Essential Quality, who earned an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 2-year-old male of 2020. Essential Quality remained unbeaten (5 for 5) in the $800,000 Blue Grass Stakes (G2) last Saturday at Keeneland. Mandaloun won the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) Feb. 13 at Fair Grounds.

Essential Quality (140 points) and Mandaloun (52) rank No. 1 and No. 12, respectively, on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

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Esteemed Equine Veterinarian, Dr. A. Gary Lavin, 83, Passes

Dr. A. Gary Lavin, a distinguished equine veterinarian, Thoroughbred breeder, and exemplar of leadership in his profession, passed away at his home in Louisville, Ky., on Feb. 27. He was 83. Dr. Lavin had been afflicted by cancer for several years, but had successfully maintained quality of life and had been planning when he would return to his second home in South Carolina.

Dr. Lavin is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth (Betsy), sons Allan (Susan) and Kevin (Amy), and granddaughters (known by the family as “The Cousins”) Catherine, Alexandra, Elizabeth, Eleanor, Lulu, and Hattie.

Response from the racing world was immediate and illustrative of Dr. Lavin's standing as a professional and friend, both of the industry and individuals within it.

“If you set out to meld 'country scientist' and 'southern gentleman' the product that exited the forge would be A. Gary Lavin, VMD,” said noted colleague Dr. Larry Bramlage, a world renowned veterinary surgeon. “Whether discussing a difficult case or one of his passions, such as The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, words never came quickly and were never wasted: '…Well…if that is the best, we'll do it!' He certainly was one of the 'Best.' They don't come along all that often.”

“Doc Lavin was a mentor to me,” said Dell Hancock of Claiborne Farm. “Anything I have ever done for the horse was inspired by him,” added Ms. Hancock, who is chairman of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. (Lavin served as vice chairman.)

“Doc Lavin did as much to further my career as anyone as I was getting started in Louisville,” said Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey. “He and his family were friends as well as supporters, and I will never forget how important that relationship has been.”

Dr. Robert Copelan, like Lavin a former president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), said upon learning of Dr. Lavin's passing: “He is one of the oldest, dearest, and closest friends I have ever had or hope to have. I think back to when we met. It was at Randall Park in 1953. He was a student then and was in charge of the canoe they used to have in the infield lake. I was in the first year of my practice and was at the head of the stretch inspecting a field going into the gate. We became friends that day and have been friends ever since.”

“'Dockie' was a special person and among the most wonderful human beings I have ever met,” said Keeneland sales executive Geoffrey Russell. “He loved the horse and everything to do with the horse, be it racing, sales, breeding, or its health. He never met a stranger and always had time for everyone no matter your station. His knowledge was immense, and he was generous in sharing it with anyone who would listen. I was blessed to have spent 13 years working with him on the inspection team at Keeneland. Crisscrossing Kentucky and the East Coast, days were filled with great humor and even better stories. He loved history, especially the Civil War. He would joke that I could drive by Civil War markers faster than Rogers Beasley (also on the team) could.

“After working on the racetrack for over 30 years, he had seen every conformational fault a horse could have and knew what a horse could live with. When grading yearlings that had some conformation faults he would sometimes say, 'Don't worry about that, he'll be alright.' I will always treasure our friendship, and I will raise a glass in his memory. Thanks Dockie. We'll be alright.”

“Every so often someone comes along who touches so many live, both professionally and personally,” said Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. “Doc Lavin was one of those. He was always there, with advice, or just friendship.”

“He was a true giant,” said Rogers Beasley, who recruited Lavin to be part of Keeneland's yearling inspection team after his retirement from active practice. “I know that phrase is used a lot, but he really was a giant. He accomplished so many things in the industry, and he was always promoting what would benefit the horse. And he never met a stranger. You would see him on the backstretch and he would always ask how you were doing, whether you were and owner or a groom. And he never lost his inquisitive mind.”

Illustrative of Beasley's last point, Dr. Lavin led the decision by Grayson-Jockey Club to make a special call for research on Shock Wave Therapy. He recognized that the beneficial new treatment had the potential downside, if misused, to eliminate pain without a horse being cured and therefore place them at risk of injury. The resultant research project at Iowa State University guided racing commissions' parameters for how long before a race the therapy must not be used.

Dr. A. Gary Lavin was born on November 6, 1937, in New Orleans. He grew up in racing, as the son of Allan (Doc) Lavin, racing secretary at Churchill Downs and also at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. The young Lavins were high school sweethearts in Hot Springs and retained a lifetime affection for track and the area.

Dr. Lavin graduated from veterinary college at the University of Pennsylvania in 1962. (He always enjoyed pointing that his alma mater identified his veterinary degree as VMD, whereas other colleges conferred a DVM.) He established himself as a race track practitioner in Louisville while also working at Warner L. Jones Jr.'s Hermitage Farm and for clients in Bowling Green, Ky., and in Indiana. Over the years, other long-term associations included working for such clients as John Ed Anthony and Peter Willmott. In that capacity, Dr. Lavin and his Longfield Farm were involved with such horses as Anthony's back to back 1982-83 Preakness winners, Pine Bluff and champion Prairie Bayou, as well as the noted future stallion Cox's Ridge, plus Demon's Begone and Eddington. Also, Angel Fever, raised at Longfield, became the dam of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus.

“My relationship with Gary Lavin began when Loblolly Stable first acquired Thoroughbreds in 1971, 50 years ago,” said breeder-owner Anthony. “From that time forward Doc has been a key part of my life and experience in the industry. He nurtured and helped develop every prominent horse we campaigned, plus attended to the lesser stock with the finest skill, expertise and patience known to his profession.

“The Lavins' Longfield Farm was our home base where mares, foals, and yearlings and layups were under his watchful eye as he and Betsy raised their fine family there. At the sales he was the critical advisor. His counsel regarding trainers and industry personnel was invaluable. I came to know of his kind, honest, and helpful regard for the horses and the people associated with them. He was always optimistic, positive, and encouraging. His honesty and integrity were without question. There are few people one can say they trust absolutely, yet Doc was such a man. Doc lived life fully, but more importantly, calling this fine man friend was a high honor that I am proud to have had in my life.”

Dr. Lavin's long career as a practitioner and surgeon was accompanied by a degree of dedication to the sport and his profession that led him to accept many roles and challenges. He has served terms as president of both the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, and was vice chairman of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and a director of Keeneland Association.

In 1994, Dr. Lavin became the first veterinarian elected to The Jockey Club, and he also has served as a steward of that organization. He has also been on the boards of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the Breeders' Cup. Over the many years they owned Longfield Farm in Goshen, Kentucky, he and his family bred major winners, raised horses for the commercial market, and managed bloodstock for clients.

Family members also became deeply involved in the sport in individual capacities. Mrs. Lavin served on the Kentucky Racing Commission, Allan runs Lavin Bloodstock, and Kevin owns Lavin (Equine) Insurance. Lavin Bloodstock bred the sentimentally named Star of Goshen, whose son Pioneerof the Nile sired Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, etc.

Dr. Lavin received many honors, including his alma mater's Bellwether Medal for Distinguished Leadership and the Thoroughbred Club of America's Annual Testimonial Dinner guest designation. He was a Distinguished Life Member of the AAEP, recipient of the Distinguished Practitioner Award of the Kentucky Equine Practitioners, and namesake of the Lavin Cup for Equine Welfare. The Lavin Cup was established in 1996 by the AAEP.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation (821 Corporate Drive, Lexington, Ky., 40503).

A private family burial will be held in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville.

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Oaklawn’s March 13 Rebel The ‘Next Logical Spot’ For Smarty Jones Winner Caddo River

Caddo River returned to the track Tuesday morning for the first time since a record-breaking victory in the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes for 3-year-olds Friday at Oaklawn. At the same time, his trainer, Brad Cox, was plotting the next move for the speedy colt and his handful of other Kentucky Derby prospects, including probable Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality.

The road to Churchill Downs, at least regarding next-race plans for Caddo River and Essential Quality, will run through Oaklawn's lucrative series of Kentucky Derby points races, with Caddo River, a homebred for Hot Springs lumberman John Ed Anthony's Shortleaf Stable, probably making his next start in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles March 13, Cox said.

Caddo River received a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 92, a career high, for his front-running 10 ¼-length victory in the Smarty Jones, the most lopsided result since the one-mile race was inaugurated in 2008. Anthony also became the first owner to sweep what are now Oaklawn's four Kentucky Derby points races.

“He's a very good colt, and we're hoping he can get us to the first Saturday in May,” Cox said. “This has been a very good path to take, through Arkansas, to get there. We'll let the dust settle and talk it over with Mr. John Ed (Anthony), but I'd say right now, given the timing and everything, it probably makes the most sense to run him back in the Rebel. Just based off the calendar, the Rebel would be the next logical spot for him.”

The Smarty Jones marked the two-turn, stakes and 3-year-old debut of Caddo River, a long-striding son of 2007 Kentucky Derby runner-up Hard Spun. After finishing second in his first two starts in New York, both at 7 furlongs, Caddo River closed his 2-year-old campaign with a front-running 9 ½-length maiden victory in a one-turn mile Nov. 15 at Churchill Downs.

“We have high expectations for him,” Cox said. “He's a good horse. Any time you can win a race by, say, 10 lengths – you don't really ever go into a race thinking you're going to win by 10. We think a lot of him. We have high hopes for this horse. He's one of three colts, three or four colts that we have in our barn, that we think can get us to the first Saturday in May.”

The Rebel is the final major local prep for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles April 10. Oaklawn's four-race Kentucky Derby points series began with the Smarty Jones and continues with the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 15, which Cox said will mark the 2021 debut of unbeaten Essential Quality, who is now based at Fair Grounds.

Essential Quality (3 for 3) won the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Nov. 6 at Keeneland in his last start for Cox, Oaklawn's third-leading trainer last year and a finalist for an Eclipse Award as the country's outstanding trainer of 2020. One Oaklawn-based horse pointing for the 1 1/16-mile Southwest is Keepmeinmind, who finished third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile for trainer Robertino Diodoro.

Caddo River marked the first Smarty Jones starter for Anthony, who has won the Rebel a record five times (1980, 1984, 1987, 1992 and 1993). Three of Anthony's Rebel winners, Temperence Hill in 1980, Demons Begone in 1987 and Pine Bluff in 1992, also won the Arkansas Derby. Anthony has won the Southwest three times.

Like the Smarty Jones, the Southwest will offer 17 points on a sliding scale (10-4-2-1) to the top four finishers. The Rebel will award 85 points to the top four finishers (50-20-10-5), with 170 up for grabs to the top four finishers in the Arkansas Derby (100-40-20-10).

The Kentucky Derby is limited to 20 starters. Horses with the highest point totals accumulated in designated races like the Smarty Jones, Southwest, Rebel and Arkansas Derby will have starting preference at Churchill Downs.

Essential Quality tops the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 30 points, according to Churchill Downs. Keepmeinmind ranks second with 18 and Caddo River is eighth with 10.

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Caddo River Demolishes Smarty Jones Rivals As Oaklawn Meet Begins

Breaking from the outside post in a field of seven, Shortleaf Stable's homebred Caddo River went straight to the front under Florent Geroux, set all the fractions and pulled away to a 10 1/4-length victory in the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes on opening day of the 2021 Oaklawn meet in Hot Springs, Ark.

Caddo River, trained by Brad Cox, paid $3.20 to win as the 3-5 favorite after traveling one-mile around two turns in 1:38.19. Cowan finished second at 2-1 odds for Steve Asmussen, with stablemate Big Thorn 7 1/4 lengths back in third and Moonlite Strike fourth.

The Smarty Jones is an official qualifying points race for the Kentucky Derby offering 10-4-2-1 points to the top four finishers. In accordance to new rules put in place for 2021, starters cannot earn qualifying points if they are administered race-day Lasix to treat exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. All seven starters in the Smarty Jones raced Lasix-free.

Updated Kentucky Derby points leaderboard

By Hard Spun out of the Congrats mare Pangburn, Caddo River came into the Smarty Jones off a 9 1/2-length maiden victory at Churchill Downs Nov. 15 going a one-turn mile. He finished second in two previous races, a seven-furlong maiden test at Saratoga Sept. 5 and a Belmont test at the same distance on Oct. 11.

Caddo River outhustled Hardly Swayed for the early lead, going the opening quarter mile in :23.12 and the half in :47.16. Going into the far turn, Caddo River began to open up and he was well in control after six furlongs in 1:12.42 and seven panels in 1:25.26. He cruised to the sixteenth pole short-stretch finish line while widening his advantage with every stride.

“He broke very alertly,” said Geroux. “Very nice and relaxed. You want to see these type horses doing it the right way. It's easy to go to the lead and keep on going. You want them to relax and do everything right. He did everything perfect. The distance doesn't look like it's going to be a problem. Very excited about what's coming up ahead of us with him. Looks like he can run all day, which is a good problem. Hopefully, we can go on, go up the stepping stones and have a nice horse for the first Saturday in May.”

John Ed Anthony, a Hot Springs resident who races in the name of Shortleaf Stable, has won the G1 Arkansas Derby on three occasions, with Temperence Hill in 1980, Demons Begone in 1987 and Pine Bluff in 1992. With Caddo River likely headed down the path to the April 10 renewal of the meet's biggest race, he could be in line for a fourth.

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