In a performance full of potential Little Menace made in two wins on the bounce with victory at Oaklawn Park.
The Phoenix Thoroughbreds owned colt took his overall record to two wins in three starts, having previously romped home at Churchill Downs. That success came in maiden company, but he took the step into a strong looking Allowance Optional Claimer in his stride, despite showing some signs of inexperience.
Breaking among the first three from the gates jockey Ricardo Santana Junior settled his mount just off the pace in the early stages of the six-furlong race. Perhaps a bit outpaced as the field quickened at the turn Little Menace dropped to fourth. Unperturbed, Santana Junior kept his head and slowly got to work to close the gap on the leaders. Having moved smoothly into contention the son of Into Mischief got into full flow in the straight and went into a narrow lead a furlong out. After a bit of a battle, and while perhaps showing signs of greenness, Steve Asmussen’s runner was declared the winner after a photo finish.