Rockport Harbor, Afleet Alex, Consolidator Work at Oaklawn Park
Updated: Saturday, February 26, 2005 5:48 PM
Posted: Friday, February 25, 2005 10:18 AM
Photo: Jeff Coady
Rockport Harbor, in Oaklawn Park workout Friday.
Fox Hill Farm's undefeated Rockport Harbor served notice that he is fully recovered from the foot bruise suffered last week by working seven furlongs at Oaklawn Park Friday in 1:27 2/5 over a fast track as he progresses toward his 3-year-old debut in the March 19 Rebel Stakes (gr. III).
The John Servis-trained son of
Unbridled's Song had been scheduled to work last Sunday, but the work was scrapped when the bruise was discovered. After being treated with Epsom salts and hot water and a salve, the foot began to show immediate improvement and the colt was back jogging in a few days.
According to Fox Hill owner Rick Porter, Rockport Harbor broke off at the three-quarter pole under jockey Willie Martinez and was a little rank early due to the lack of serious work in the last two weeks.
"His fractions were a little faster than we wanted in the beginning, but he finally settled," Porter said. "John (Servis) would have rather he gone slower early and finished up better but it was a very good work. He went in fractions of :11 4/5, :23 3/5, :35 4/5, :48 3/5, 1:01 2/5, 1:14 and 1:27 2/5. He galloped out a mile in 1:41 and came back great. He didn't take any water for 10 minutes."
Rockport Harbor, a $470,000 yearling purchase, has won all four of his starts, including the Remsen (gr. II) and Nashua (gr. III) Stakes.
Other top 3-year-olds on the work tab Friday were Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) winner Consolidator (
Storm Cat), who smoked five furlongs in :58 flat, and Afleet Alex (
Northern Afleet ), who was timed in 1:13 3/5 for six furlongs.
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