HOT SPRINGS — William Sims’ City Sage held off Our Dark Knight by a neck to win the $75,000 Hot Springs Stakes for older sprinters Saturday afternoon at Oaklawn Park.
The race was marred by the death of Agastache, who was euthanized after breaking down from a compound fracture of his right front ankle shortly after the start.
Agastache’s rider, Jon Court, wasn’t injured.
Agastache, a 7-year-old gelding trained by Rick Hiles, won 11 of 49 career starts and $422,101.
Defending champion Chief of Affairs finished third, a halflength ahead of 6-5 favorite Riley Tucker. Silver Magnus and Lydia’s Last Step trailed.
Comedero (fever), Outta Tune, Prime Objective and Southern Style were scratched.
Outta Tune and Prime Objective are entered in an allowance/optional claiming race today.
City Sage, who was ridden by Calvin Borel, paid $10.20, $4.60 and $3.40. Our Dark Knight paid $6.80 and $5.60. Chief of Affairs paid $6.20.
A two-time stakes winner, City Sage ran 6 furlongs over a fast track in 1:10.36.
City Sage increased his career earnings to $218,312 following his eighth victory in 16 lifetime starts.
The Hot Springs marked the 4-year-old gelding’s first start for trainer Kelly Von Hemel.
City Sage was coming off a half-length allowance victory Feb. 7 at Sunland Park in New Mexico.
The gelding joined Von Hemel’s barn earlier this month after previously being with trainer Jon Arnett in New Mexico and at Prairie Meadows in Iowa.
“We’re very fortunate that Mr. Sims decided to send
City Sage finally shook clear in midstretch and had just enough to outlast Our Dark Knight, who rallied from last to just miss.
“He didn’t break as sharp as I wanted and I think that maybe cost him a little,” Borel said. “I kept him on his feet. He’s a good horse, a fast horse.”
Von Hemel said City Sage would be under consideration for the $250,000 Grade III Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 14.
Von Hemel won the race in 2008 and 2009 with Semaphore Man.
Sports, Pages 30 on 03/25/2012