Silver City Impressive in Dixieland Triumph

Friday, January 16, 2009

Clarence Scharbauer, Jr.'s Silver City lived up to his role as the 3-5 favorite when he put away the early challenge of Regardlessofoutcome, then drew off to a four lengths victory over Fletcher Racing Operations' Dance Caller in the $50,000 Dixieland Stakes, the featured eighth race on opening day of the 2009 Oaklawn live racing season.

Under cloudy skies and in front of an appreciative audience of 15,863, the handsome son of Unbridled's Song never left the issue in doubt, traveling the five-and-a-half panels in 1:04 under regular pilot Miguel Mena.  The running was the fastest posted in the Dixieland since Claude Cowan's Feel Lucky won the 1994 edition in 1:03 4/5 under Garrett Gomez.

"He looked so comfortable today," noted trainer Bret Calhoun at the post-race press conference.  "Usually he doesn't get away from the gate very well, but today he did everything we could ask of him.  Miguel (regular rider Miguel Mena) has worked on trying to get him to relax better in races and today he proved that his hard work paid off."

While Calhoun has made no firm plans for the gray colt with a record of three wins from four tries, Oaklawn officials are whetting their appetites at the possible clash between Silver City and the highly-regarded Old Fashioned in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes at one mile on Monday, February 16.