Cowan should employ versatility in Oaklawn feature

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Cowan has shown a great deal of versatility in his young career and for the record he’s compiled the 3-year-old could go favored over older rivals in Sunday’s featured eighth race at Oaklawn Park.

The second-level allowance at six furlongs carries an optional claiming price of $50,000. The field of 10 includes Manhattan Up, who is cutting back in distance after running sixth in the Grade 2 Fayette at Keeneland; Bull Hollow, a half-brother to champion Indian Blessing; and Chipofftheoldblock, a stakes winner in June at Indiana Grand.

Cowan has placed in six stakes, with those efforts coming on both dirt and turf, and at one and two turns. Cowan has utilized various running styles, too, proving effective from both on and off the pace.

He enters Sunday’s feature off a two-other-than allowance start Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs. Cowan was prominent and finished second by a head while earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 87. It’s the best last-race number in the field Sunday. Before that race, Cowan had defeated older horses in a first-level allowance at Churchill.

“He’s run a couple of nice races on the dirt,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Cowan. “I think turf is in his future. With not having a nice turf option, this is a good spot.”

Cowan ran arguably the biggest race of his career on the grass, when second to Golden Pal in the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in 2020. Cowan also had run second and third in a pair of turf stakes leading up to the Breeders’ Cup.

For the Sunday feature, he will break from post 3.

“I think that we’ve been a little overly aggressive with him in the last couple of races,” Asmussen said. “I’m hoping he settles a little more this time.”

Ramon Vazquez will be aboard for the partnership of Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Madaket Stables, and Spendthrift Farm.

Cowan is making his second start at Oaklawn. Last season, he was second in the Smarty Jones at a mile. He is a son of the Lion Heart stallion Kantharos.

Cowan could get a nice setup just behind W W Scout’s Honor, a speed horse who breaks from post 2, as well as Top Gunner and Mo’s Mojo.

A contested pace could benefit Manhattan Up, who figures to be making his case through the lane on the cutback from 1 1/8 miles. David Cohen has the mount for Flying P Stable and trainer Robertino Diodoro.

Bull Hollow was a $32,500 claim out of his most recent start Oct. 9 at Hawthorne. He is another who could contribute to the pace Sunday. He dueled and ran third in a six-furlong allowance at Hawthorne.

◗ Following the Sunday card, racing will resume Friday.