Oaklawn Park / Coady Photography

COMEDERO RETURNS WITH FLASHY NODOUBLE STAKES WIN

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, April 2, 2011) – Peter Redekop B.C. Ltd.’s Comedero, who was making his first start of the year, showed why he was made the prohibitive 1-9 favorite with an impressive front running, 10 ¾-lengh victory in Saturday’s $50,000 Nodouble Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The Nodouble is named in honor the 1968 Arkansas Derby winner and two time champion bred in Fayetteville, AR by Gene Goff’s Verna Lea Farms.

Facing just five foes, Comedero had little trouble shaking loose of Toga’s Storm after :21 3/5 and with his ears pricked the whole time, proceeded to widen the margin through a half mile in :44 3/5 before finishing in 1:09, which set a new stakes record in the third running of the six-furlong stakes for Arkansas-bred horses. Toga’s Storm held second and Ile St. Roy was third.

“He's got a natural talent and speed,” said trainer Mike Stidham. “Fast horses and good horses are dangerous in anybody’s hands.”

“That was pretty easy for him,” added winning jockey Robby Albarado. “He had a little pressure early from the five horse, but once he shook loose, he put his ears up and just cantered around the turn. He’s a pretty awesome Arky bred.”

The 4-year-old Posse colt, bred by McDowell Farm, returned $2.20, $2.10 and $2.10. With the victory, the graded stakes winner improved his record to nine wins in 13 starts and raised his career bankroll to $548,330.

Last season, he won Oaklawn’s $50,000 Mountain Valley and $50,000 Rainbow Stakes and because of those impressive wins he is being honored later tonight as the Arkansas-bred Horse of the Year by the Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Horsemen’s Association. The awards banquet is being held Saturday night in Hot Springs.

The heavy favorite created a minus show pool of $40,024.83.