Undefeated EL LOBO (El Corredor) will make his stakes debut in the male
division of the $100,000 OBS Championship S. on Monday. The 1 1/16-mile race,
which is restricted to three-year-old colts or geldings who have gone through
the sales ring at an Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company auction, is the highlight of
a six-race, non-wagering program at the Ocala Training Center.
Trained by Kathleen O’Connell, El Lobo closed from off the pace to win a
seven-furlong maiden race by 1 1/2 lengths in his debut at Tampa Bay Downs on
January 28. In his next start, he pressed or set the early fractions before
drawing off to a three-length victory against first-level allowance foes going 1
1/16 miles at Tampa Bay Downs on February 23. Daniel Centeno, who was aboard El
Lobo in his first two starts, rides.
HARBORAGE (Monarchos), who was under consideration for Saturday’s $250,000
Tampa Bay Derby (G3), was supplemented to the OBS Championship at a cost of
$7,500. The Gary Contessa trainee broke his maiden by 4 1/2 lengths going 1 1/16
miles at Tampa Bay Downs on February 9. Edgar Prado has the call.
BUSHMILLS BEST (Concerto), who is cross-entered in the $50,000 OBS Sprint S.,
could make his two-turn and stakes debut in the OBS Championship. The dark bay
captured a six-furlong, first-level allowance event at Tampa Bay Downs by 8 1/2
lengths in his most recent start for conditioner Kirk Ziadie.
The field for the OBS Championship, in post position order with jockeys,
consists of SELLO NEGRO (You and I), Eddie Castro; DERBY (Touch Gold), Rafael
Bejarano; AIR RIDE LOUIS (Louis Quatorze), Octavio Bernal; Bushmills Best, Jose
Lezcano; DR. ELI (Wild Event), no rider; DIMELO (Wild Event), Castro; Harborage;
FIRST MOVEMENT (Concerto), Eduardo Nunez; GONE PROSPECTING (Way West [Fr]),
Cornelio Velasquez; WORLD BATTLE (Double Honor), Manuel Aguilar; and El Lobo.
All starters will carry 122 pounds.
WILENTZ (Grand Slam), who finished second to Pegasusbystorm (Fusaichi
Pegasus) in the Storm Cat S. at the Meadowlands last fall, will seek his first
black-type victory in the male division of the OBS Sprint. The Joseph Orseno-trained
colt will make his sophomore debut in the six-furlong test, which attracted
eight entrants, including Sam F. Davis S. pacesetter LAPTOP COMPUTER (Notebook).
Other races on the card include the filly division of the $100,000 OBS
Championship S., the filly division of the $50,000 OBS Sprint S., the $40,000
Florida Thoroughbred Charities S., and the $40,000 Florida Breeders’ Distaff S.