For Immediate Release
Steve Asmussen-trained Booth (Mitole – Sophia’s Song, by Bellamy Road) earned his third career stakes victory and sixth victory in 10 starts overall when he scored a three-quarter length win over stablemate Ryvit in the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park April 12 to lead the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates this past week.
Booth previously captured the Grade 3 Whitmore Stakes on March 15 and represented the fourth consecutive Count Fleet victory for Asmussen.
“Just extremely proud to win such a significant race; been a very special race,” Asmussen told the Oaklawn publicity team. “The (co-owners William and Corinne) Heiligbrodts and their partnership group, and with a son of Mitole who had also won this race for us, on a beautiful day here at Oaklawn – couldn’t be any nicer.”
William and Corinne Heiligbrodt, along with Jackpot Farm (Terry Green), purchased Booth for $225,000 at the 2023 OBS March Sale from the Wavertree Stables consignment after he breezed in 10.0. Whispering Oaks Farm (Carrol Castille) is now a co-owner.
Booth’s triumph was part of a strong weekend for OBS grad and Spendthrift sire Mitole. At Keeneland, Morplay Racing’s Shisospicy (Mitole – Mischief Galore, by Into Mischief) earned her first stakes win when she took the lead out of the gate and maintained it throughout en route to a half-length victory in the $300,000 Limestone Stakes April 11.
Trained by Jose D’Angelo and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Shisospicy is now 2-for-2 on the grass. She was offered at the 2024 OBS April sale by Hartley/DeRenzo where she was an RNA after breezing in :9 3/5.
At Laurel Park April 12, J R Sanchez Racing Stable’s Cataleya Strike (Catalina Cruiser – Eiffel Tower, by Smart Strike) roared from off the pace to earn his first stakes score in the $100,000 Native Dancer Stakes. Trained by Rudy Sanchez-Salomon, Cataleya Strike was offered at the 2023 OBS April sale by Little Farm Equine where he was an RNA after breezing in :10 3/5.