Handicapper's Corner: 2025 Whitmore Stakes (G3)

 Expect a Twist in the Whitmore Stakes

By: Michael Amo, ThoroFan Member

Just over four decades ago, the Whitmore Stakes first ran at Oaklawn Park as the Hot Springs Purse. In 1948 it was changed to a 3-year-old race and eventually became a prep for the Arkansas Derby. It is now a race for 4-year-olds and up, run at 6 furlongs. Nine horses are entered to run for a share of the $250,000 purse.

Featured as race 10 of 11, the Whitmore Stakes post time is 5:17 PM CT. The weather on Saturday at Hot Springs is forecast to be warm, 71 degrees. The outdoor steps to the grandstands will be packed with fans enjoying the sunshine and racing.

The 2023 winner of the Whitmore, Tejano Twist, is back after missing last year’s edition.

Let’s take a look at the field.

1.   Tejano Twist (Practical Joke) Returns after winning this race in 2023 and finishing second last year. He gets a hot new jockey, Tyler Bacon. It’s a bad draw for a closer, but he is fast enough to handle it. Will have to stay with pace if wants any piece. Contender.

2.   Happy Is a Choice ( Runhappy) A Beyer speed rating pick. He should sit off the pace, hoping for speedsters to stop. He’s working well and keeps jockey Ramon Vazquez. Happy Is a Choice finished third in a grade three race last year and was beaten by Skelly and Tejano Twist. He may not be fast enough for this group.

3.   Giant Mischief (Into Mischief) comes in with a bullet work and gets a new jockey, Cristian Torres. He will try for the lead but may not be fast enough to compete with these speedsters. However, Giant Mischief is one of two in the race who have finished in the money in a grade one at six furlongs. Spendthrift paid $475K for him in the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling sale, so he could surprise. Brad Cox is always dangerous. Question mark?

4.   Booth (Mitole) One of two from the Asmussen barn, both of whom should be pacesetters, but Booth may give in to his stablemate, Jaxon Traveler. Both have a chance to place in the lower exotics.

5.   Jaxon Traveler (Munnings) is Working Ok and won the Whitmore Stakes last year with Prat up. Keith Asmussen replaces him. Jaxon Traveler hasn’t run in graded races since May of 2024 but comes into this race after winning his last four. Dangerous. In exotics.

6.   Glengarry (Maximus Mischief) Morning Line long shot is working Bullets. He tries graded company for the first time. Not today.

7.   Mile Ahead (Competitive Edge) Comes back to Oaklawn after competing over four other tracks. He had a long layoff after running a 104 Beyer at Fair Grounds on November 28, 2024. That race was preceded by a 6+ month layoff. Mile Ahead ran second in the Whitmore Stakes in 2023 to Tejano Twist. The old man of the field maybe in the exotics.

8.   Closethegame Sugar (Girvin) is working bullets for his 2025 debut. Last out, he threw a clunker after a 101 Beyer placing in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby at Del Mar. Improving. Hard to figure.

9.   Durante ( Distorted Humor) Another long shot. He comes off a solid race in his 2025 debut. Santana stays with him after that race. Maybe in the form to surprise. Better look at him in the post parade.

Analysis

The race is wide open and full of pace with four horses showing a desire to try for the lead.

Four will be just off the pace ready to pick up the pieces if pace collapses. One, Tejano Twist, last year’s second place and the 2023 Whitmore winner, is hoping for the speed to collapse. He has the best closing speed in the 6-furlong race in the field. Post position doesn’t help him overcome this speed favoring Oaklawn track.

Jaxon Traveler won last year with a powerful kick holding off Tejano Twist. He will try to repeat with the same strategy.

Here is how I think they will finish:

1. Tejano Twist (7-2)

8.  Closethegame Sugar (9-2)

7.  Miles Ahead (8-1)

5.  Jaxon Traver (10-10

Handigamble:

$40 to Place: # 1   $40

$10 Trifecta Key: #1/ #5, #7, #8/ #5 ,#7 ,#8--$60