 Coady
Photography / Oaklawn Park
Alternation Returns In Big Way with Essex
Triumph
HOT SPRINGS, AR - Feb. 4, 2012 - Pin Oak Stable’s Alternation
finally earned the Oaklawn stakes victory that eluded him last year
when he authoritatively captured Saturday’s $100,000 Essex Handicap.
Among the leading contenders on the Arkansas Derby trail in 2011
with two impressive allowance wins, it wasn’t until he won the Peter
Pan Stakes (G2) at Belmont in May that he began to show his true
potential.
Starting his 2012 campaign as the 6-to-5 favorite based largely on
his 3-year-old form, Alternation broke a tad slow, but jockey Louis
Quinonez never panicked and settled the well-bred colt into fourth
position as It Happened Again and Racing Bran raced head-and-head
through a fast half-mile in 46 1/5. The winner began his advance
entering the final turn and once in the stretch, began to shake
clear for a 3 ˝ length victory over the Fifth Season Stakes-winner
Color Me Blue. Twice The Appeal maintained his early position to
finish third. Ballyjamesduff, It Happened Again, A Student and
Racing Bran completed the order of finish. Final time for the 1
1/16-mile race was 1:44 4/5 over a fast track.
“This was the kind of performance that makes you start dreaming a
bit,” said winning trainer Donnie Von Hemel. “It’s a great start to
the year for him, and I’d think we’d love to participate in the
Oaklawn Handicap with him.”
Alternation, a home-bred son of Distorted Humor out of Pin Oak
stakes winner Alternate, won for the fourth time in eight career
starts and has now earned $386,500. He returned $4.20, $3.20 and
$2.40.
Live racing resumes Sunday with a special 1:00 p.m. first post to
accommodate the Super Bowl.
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