Bankit hoping to break through in Essex Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Bankit has run too good to lose in his two starts this meet at Oaklawn Park and on Saturday will attempt to turn the tables on Pioneer Spirit in the $350,000 Essex Handicap.

The Essex, at 1 1/16 miles, is the final local stepping-stone to the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap on April 18. The race Saturday shares a card with the Rebel and Azeri.

Bankit, part of a seven-horse field that has cumulative earnings of $5.8 million, started his season Jan. 25 with a runner-up finish in a division of the $100,000 Fifth Season at Oaklawn. He was beaten a head by Pioneer Spirit, and the pair is co-highweighted at 119 pounds for the Essex. Bankit’s other start this meet came in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap, when the late-runner was again second, just edged by Warrior’s Charge on Feb. 17.

“He ran good,” trainer Steve Asmussen said when asked about Bankit. “That’s two years in a row I think we’ve been beaten a neck in the Razorback. Copper Bullet and Bankit.

“Enough of that!”

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Bankit could go favored in the Essex and he owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 97. He will break from post 4 under Ricardo Santana Jr., who has the mount for Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing.

Pioneer Spirit could prove to be the controlling speed in the Essex. He’s won three of his last four starts, including the Tenacious in December at Fair Grounds. Pioneer Spirit exits a fourth-place finish in the Razorback.

“He got in lots of trouble, especially in the first turn, which cost us big time,” said trainer Robertino Diodoro. “It was a very rough trip.”

Pioneer Spirit broke from post 5 in the 11-horse Razorback. For the Essex he drew the widest gate, post 7.

“I love the outside post,” Diodoro said. “Last time we got in traffic trouble. This time we can kind of dictate what we want to do.

“We’re going to be forwardly placed – on the lead, or if not, close to it.”

David Cohen has the mount for Lawrence Roman, Heads Up Racing and Lucky Dog Stables.

The field also includes Bravazo, a Grade 2 winner who has earned $2 million; Snapper Sinclair, an earner of $1.1 million; Guest Suite, a Grade 3 winner who won the other division of the Fifth Season; and Laughing Fox and Night Ops, the one-two finishers in last year’s $300,000 Oaklawn Invitational.