The Wicked North Leaves No Doubt

Considering what happened in the Santa Anita Handicap, jockey Kent Desormeaux, owners Phil and Sophie Hersh and trainer David Bernstein had a welcome sight after the $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap on Saturday at Hot Springs, Ark.

It was the “official” sign lit on the tote board.

After being disqualified from first to fourth in the Big ‘Cap, The Wicked North didn’t let the stewards get involved Saturday in his first race in Arkansas.

Content to stalk longshot Brother Brown for most of the trip, the 9-10 favorite took the lead with an eighth of a mile to run and went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:47 4/5 for the 1 1/8 miles.

This was the seventh victory in 15 starts, pending the appeal of the ruling in the Santa Anita Handicap.

Devil His Due, the 120-pound highweight, beat Brother Brown by a head for second. Far Out Wadleigh was another half-length back in fourth. Myrakalu and Hill Pass, who were the horses directly involved in the Big ‘Cap inquiry, finished fifth and sixth, respectively.

“At one time, I thought this horse was a sprinter,” Bernstein said. “But he’s learned to relax, he’s matured and now he’s a mile and a quarter horse.”

The Wicked North’s victory marked the third consecutive year a California-based horse has won the Grade I race. Best Pal won in 1992 and Jovial won last year.

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Earlier on the card at Oaklawn, Flight Forty Nine, a 23-1 shot, upset heavily favored Flagship Commander to win the $75,000 Bachelor Stakes.

Flagship Commander was leading by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong to run but was caught by Flight Forty Nine in 1:10 2/5 for the six furlongs.

Ridden by Desormeaux, Flagship Commander, the 4-5 favorite, finished a neck in front of 3-1 second choice Sacred Honor.