Catdaddy could get right trip

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Catdaddy could get an ideal tracking trip Friday in the featured eighth race at Oaklawn, a $40,000 starter allowance that drew stakes winner Exulting.

The 1 1/16-mile race is for 4-year-olds and up.

Catdaddy has tactical speed and could call on the asset Friday, perhaps sitting just off Truculent and Indimaaj. He is drawn outside of both and will break from post 6.

Martin Garcia has the mount for trainer Joe Petalino.

Garcia is reuniting with Catdaddy for the first time since last meet at Oaklawn, when the pair won a $20,000 starter allowance at this distance. Catdaddy went on to run one of his best races in November, when second by a length in the $100,000 Jeffrey Hawk Memorial at Remington Park. He is looking for his seventh career win, and third at Oaklawn.

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Catdaddy races for Bill Elliott, Richard Drake, and the Estate of Larry Dyson. He is by Munnings, and his third dam produced Kentucky Derby winner Real Quiet.

Exulting, a past winner of the Oaklawn Mile, is coming off a victory in a $10,000 starter allowance Jan. 22 at Oaklawn. The race came at this distance, and the Beyer Speed Figure of 83 that he earned is one of the best last-race numbers in the field Friday. Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from post 3 for Michael Hui and trainer Mike Maker.

Indimaaj is dropping into the starter-allowance ranks after running fifth in a Jan. 29 allowance at Oaklawn. David Cohen has the mount from post 4 for John Holleman and trainer Robertino Diodoro.

Kershaw is moving into the starter-allowance ranks after being claimed for $20,000 on Feb. 20 at Oaklawn. He won that afternoon, and the Beyer Figure of 92 that he earned is the best last-race number in the race Friday.

◗ Oaklawn Park will increase all overnight purses starting March 11, with maiden special weight races increased by $6,000 each to raise their value to $90,000 and allowances also up by $6,000 each, making for a minimum allowance purse of $106,000. The minimum purse will be $29,000. Oaklawn also is adding a date, Thursday, April 7, after weather cost it Jan. 21.