The talented Oxbow, sent off as the third choice at 4.60-1, turned in a performance worthy of a 1-5 favorite in the $200,000 LeComte Stakes (gr. III) on January 19th at Fair Grounds, winning the one-mile and seventy-yard race by a spectacular 11 1/2 lengths.
Ridden to victory by Jon Court, Oxbow flashed speed from the start, going straight to the lead and setting moderate fractions of :24.44 and :48.58 seconds. Heitai was tracking him in second, three lengths ahead of Malibu High. Hawaakom, Avie's Quality, I've Struck a Nerve, Fear the Kitten, Circle Unbroken, and Golden Soul were the early trailers.
Rounding the final turn, Heitai and Ive Struck a Nerve both moved up strongly to challenge Oxbow for the lead, with Heitai drawing within a head of the front-runner following three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.34. However, Oxbow had plenty left in the tank, and turning for home, he kicked clear of his challenges and opened up a commanding advantage. From there, the race was over, as Oxbow continued to extend his lead all the way to the wire, which he reached in the very good time of 1:43.30 seconds.
Golden Soul rallied late to secure second by 1 1/2 lengths over Fear the Kitten, while Ive Struck a Nerve rounded out the superfecta. Malibu High, Circle Unbroken, Heitai, Avie's Quality, and Hawaakom completed the order of finish.
The winner is owned by Bluegrass Hall and is trained by D. Wayne Lukas. He is a son of Awesome Again out of Tizamazing, by Cee's Tizzy.
-Keelerman
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