Oaklawn Handicap Results and Payouts for 4/23/22
| Oaklawn Handicap Results | Payoffs - Win Place Show |
|---|---|
| 1 | Last Samurai - $27.80; $8.60; $4.20 |
| 2 | Fearless - $3.00; $2.40 |
| 3 | Plainsman - $2.40 |
Last Samurai Gives Horton Second Straight Oaklawn Handicap
(Edited Press Release)
Willis Horton Racing LLC’s Last Samurai, who began his 2021-2022 meet at Oaklawn by winning the Dec. 12 Poinsettia Stakes, ended the season in similar fashion by winning the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) before an on-track crowd of 35,000 on April 23.
It was the second straight Oaklawn Handicap victory for Willis Horton of Marshall, AR following the win by Silver State, owned in partnership, last year.
Last Samurai broke alertly and took the lead for the opening quarter mile in :23.94, but was happy to assume a stalking position behind Plainsman to the half mile mark in :48.34. The winner, under 61-year-old jockey Jon Court, regained the lead entering the stretch and drew off to win by four lengths over favorite Fearless, who was also second in the 2021 running of the race.
“We had a little setback with him,” winning trainer Dallas Stewart said. “We missed a little time with him, but we got back on track in that mile and a half (April 3 Temperence Hill Stakes). It was a really a courageous race against a nice horse (Lone Rock). He just came out of the race so good, out of that mile and a half, and came with a good work and just preceded on from there. Such a nice horse. Hopefully, he’ll have a big year.”
Plainsman held on for third, two lengths in front of 2021 Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Super Stock. The winning time was 1:49.32 for 1 1/8 miles over a fast track.
“He had a good break,” Court said. “We knew speed had been tough today and he’s capable of laying up there. We were able to dictate a pace that we were comfortable with and finished well in front. I love it when a plan comes together like that.”
Last Samurai improved his record to 4-3-2 in 15 starts and has now earned $946,744. He returned $27.80, $8.50 and $4.20 at odds of 12.90-1
Earlier on the card, Gary and Mary West’s favored Home Brew stalked the pace and pounced late to win the $150,000 Oaklawn Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths over Kuchar in 1:50 3/5 for 1 1/8 miles over a fast track. Happy Boy Rocket was third.
