'TDN Rising Star' Caddo River (Hard Spun), currently sitting at number two on the TDN Top Kentucky Derby contenders sponsored by Fasig-Tipton, went an easy half-mile in :50.60 at Oaklawn Park Friday morning as he prepares for his next start in the $1-million GII Rebel S. in Hot Springs Mar. 13. It was the Shortleaf Stable homebred's first serious piece of work since a 10 1/4-length thrashing of his rivals in the Smarty Jones S. Jan. 22.
Breezing prior to the first renovation break beneath exercise rider Gustavo Abrego, Caddo River was clocked in fractions of :12.80, :26 flat and :38 flat before galloping out five-eighths of a mile in 1:03 flat.
The stable of Eclipse Award winner Brad Cox will be represented in the track's second leg of the 3-year-old series, the Feb. 15 GIII Southwest S., by champion juvenile male and fellow 'Rising Star' Essential Quality (Tapit). The GI Arkansas Derby caps the local route to the Kentucky Derby Apr. 10.
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