Oaklawn Report #12: Arkansas Breds Take Center Stage

Three Stars of the Week

– 1st Star: WEAST HILL – When it comes to Arkansas bred horses nobody is better than Weast Hill!  After dominating state bred company last time out in a sprint stakes, trainer Brad Cox decided he’d run Weast Hill around two turns this time.  The result was the same…Weast Hill stalked the pace and dominated to win the Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes in dominating fashion.  Weast Hill has also won against open company during the meet so now he seems to have plenty of options  He now has won six of eight lifetimes races, and two races outside of state bred company.  The horse could resurface next at Churhcill Downs next.

– 2nd Star: MAIZE ROAD – The career of Maize Road is only two months old, but in those two months he’s ran five time and has now won two of them as he captured the Rainbow Stakes on Sunday afternoon.  The Afleet Alex colt had only won a maiden coming into the race, but had ran competitively against open company earlier in the meet.  Maize Road was able to break well and get a solid stocking position, before pouncing at the top of the lane and drawing off to a nice three length victory.  He will now have to step outside of state bred company for his next start which could be a challenge.

– 3rd Star: SEEKING ANGELS – Going into the month of February this horse hadn’t even made a start yet, and now she is a stakes winner after taking home the Rainbow Miss Stakes on Saturday.  Sent off as the heavy 4/5 favorite, Seeking Angles went straight to the front and cruised home to an easy wire to wire victory.  She is now two for three lifetime with her one loss being a second place finish against open company.  Not many Arkansas breds have success outside of their own company, but Seeking Angels has proven that perhaps she will be one of the few that do.

Flop of the Week

– ROYAL SAINT – There weren’t many candidates to choose from this week, but we had to pick someone and Royal Saint comes to mind as one of the only heavy favorites to run poorly this week.  He finished fifth in an allowance optional claiming race after after winning last time out against similar company.  He’ll surely regroup next time out.

Preview to Next Week

• Saturday April 9th – $400,000 Grade 3 Fantasy Stakes – 3 year old fillies – 1 1/16th miles
• Sunday April 10th – $400,000 Grade 3 Count Fleet Handicap  – 4 year olds and upward – 6 furlongs