Arch Hall a horse on the rise

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Melnyk Racing Stable and trainer Anthony Reinstedler have made a dent in the handicap ranks this meet with two quality horses, and one of them, Arch Hall, should start as a strong favorite Wednesday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Fifth Season at Oaklawn Park.

The 1 1/16-mile race continues the annual Racing Festival of the South, when nine stakes worth $2.8 million are decided over the final week of the meet at Oaklawn. A field of seven makes up the Fifth Season, with Greater Good, Real Dandy, and Prospective Kiss among the starters.

Arch Hall has made two starts here, winning an allowance in February in his first start of the year. One race later, he rallied strongly for second at 12-1 in the Grade 3, $150,000 Razorback Breeders' Cup Handicap on March 12. For his effort, Arch Hall earned a Beyer Figure of 100, the highest last-race number in the Fifth Season.

"He's a class horse, and he showed it last time, in his race in the Razorback," said Reinstedler. "I've been real pleased with the way he's trained into the Fifth Season, and I'm really looking for a good effort.

"He's the type of horse that's going to give you 110 percent every time you lead him over there, so that's all you can ask."

Arch Hall has come from off the pace in both of his local starts. He is a two-time restricted stakes winner in his native Canada, and both of those wins came at the distance of the Fifth Season. He will break from post 2 under Corey Lanerie.

"He stalks and pounces," said Reinstedler.

The other Melnyk and Reinstedler handicap horse who has made noise at the meet is Gouldings Green, who last Saturday was third at 23-1 in the Grade 2, $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap. He also won an allowance here in February.

Greater Good will add blinkers for the Fifth Season. In his last start, he closed for fourth in the Razorback. Since then, Greater Good has worked six furlongs in a bullet 1:12. He figures to be closer to the pace under regular rider John McKee.

"I think you'll see a little different race out of him," said Bob Holthus, who trains Greater Good.

Greater Good won two stakes here last year, taking the Southwest and the Grade 3 Rebel.

- There is a $3,785 pick-six carryover as Oaklawn heads into its final week of racing on Wednesday.