Frank’s Rockette Leads ‘Very Competitive’ Purple Martin Stakes Saturday At Oaklawn

Kimari (Munnings) wins the Indian Summer, a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Division. Mike Smith up Wesley Ward trainer, Ten Broeck Farm owner.

A field of 10, including 5-2 program favorite Frank’s Rockette and four previously undefeated horses, is entered in the $100,000 Purple Martin Stakes for 3-year-old filly sprinters Saturday at Oaklawn.

Probable post time for the 6-furlong Purple Martin, which goes as the ninth of 10 races, is 5:09 p.m. (Central). Racing begins Saturday, the 42nd day of the scheduled 57-day season, at 1:05 p.m.

A homebred for North Little Rock, Ark., businessman Frank Fletcher and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, Frank’s Rockette was among the country’s most accomplished 2-year-old fillies after finishing second in a trio of graded events, including the $350,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1) Sept. 1 at Saratoga and the $400,000 Frizette Stakes (G1) Oct. 6 at Belmont Park. Frank’s Rockette exits a front-running seven-length victory in the $75,000 Any Limit Stakes Feb. 22 at Gulfstream Park in her 3-year-old debut.

“Looks like it’s come up a good race,” said Mott, Oaklawn’s leading trainer in 1986. “I know there are some fillies in there that look like they don’t know how to get beat. Wesley Ward has a filly that’s run in good company. It looks like a very competitive race.”

Frank’s Rockette, who normally sits just off the pace, is scheduled to break from post 8 under Martin Garcia. Mott said he believes the outside post will be advantageous for Frank’s Rockette, a daughter of super sire Into Mischief, because several other speed horses are drawn inside.

“I think that will work out,” Mott said. “I mean I’m not dissatisfied with it – put it that way.”

Edgeway, the early 3-1 second choice, earned a robust 94 Beyer Speed Figure in her only start, a front-running five length victory Feb. 29, for trainer John Sadler and owner Hronis Racing LLC (Kosta Hronis). Wesley Ward, a trainer noted for success with young stock, is scheduled to send out Kimari, a multiple stakes winner on turf, for her 3-year-old debut. In her only dirt appearance, Kimari was a front-running 15-length winner of her career debut last April at Keeneland. She then finished second in the $138,100 Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at famed Ascot Racecourse in England.

Ring Leader won her first three sprint starts, including the $125,000 Dixie Belle Stakes Feb. 15, before suffering her first career loss in the $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) at 1 1/16 miles March 7.

“Tough race, but I think she’s going to run pretty good,” said Mac Robertson, who trains Ring Leader for longtime client Joseph Novogratz (Novogratz Racing Stables Inc.). “There are a couple of horses shipping in, but we’re here and probably ready for them. Lots of speed.”

Also entered are unbeaten Bootytama (3 for 3) for trainer Molly J. Pearson, unbeaten Lexi On the Move (2 for 2) for leading Oaklawn trainer Robertino Diodoro and unbeaten Iowa-bred Flat Out Speed (3 for 3) for trainer Lynn Chleborad. Flat Out Speed was a multiple stakes winner as a 2-year-old for 2010 Oaklawn leading owner Allen Poindexter, who also bred the daughter of Flat Out in partnership.

“She is at a little bit of a disadvantage because she hasn’t had a race in her since the first of September,” Chleborad said. “I would, truthfully, have liked to have seen two more works in her before I ran her, but she has no conditions and we need to see if she can step up her game and run with these horses.”

The projected Purple Martin field from the rail out: Kimari, rider to be announced, 119 pounds, 4-1 on the morning line; Ring Leader, Joe Talamo, 122, 6-1; Flat Out Speed, Alex Canchari, 122, 20-1; Edgeway, Tyler Baze, 117, 3-1; Bootytama, Stewart Elliott, 117, 12-1; Lexi On the Move, David Cohen, 122, 8-1; Lady Glamour, Julie Burke, 117, 15-1; Frank’s Rockette, Martin Garcia, 119, 5-2; Kiss the Girl, Joe Rocco Jr., 122, 15-1; and Wasabi Girl, Ramon Vazquez, 119, 15-1.