Divine Gal hopes to use late kick to capture Mockingbird

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – There’s a little diva in Divine Gal, who brings a perfect 2-for-2 record into the inaugural running of the $150,000 Mockingbird Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

She’s part of a field of six for the six-furlong race named for the state bird of Arkansas. The group of 3-year-old fillies also includes Sharp Tune, who is a candidate to wire her rivals; Tanya Showers, who owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure for a maiden win at Oaklawn; and Xtreme Smoke Show, who is making her first start since October.

Divine Gal comes into the Mockingbird with a ton of confidence. Both of her wins have come at six furlongs, the first in a maiden special weight on Nov. 18 at Churchill Downs and the other in a first-level allowance Dec. 17 at Oaklawn.

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“Since she’s started running, she’s got a little attitude to her,” said Donnie Von Hemel, who trains Divine Gal. “Now, I think that’s a good thing for a racehorse.”

Divine Gal has used closing tactics in her races, coming from ninth in her debut at Churchill and rallying from seventh in her start at Oaklawn.

“She makes it kind of exciting as far as her running style,” Von Hemel said. “She’s gotten it done both times.”

Divine Gal is a daughter of Tapiture who races for Norma Lee Stockseth and Todd Dunn. She will break from post 5 under Francisco Arrieta. The concern Saturday is whether she will get the right setup in the Mockingbird.

“In a small field, it’s hard to rely on any pace,” Von Hemel said. “It doesn’t develop like a big field does.

“You just want to get away good and be ready to take advantage of what comes to you.”

Sharp Tune wired her rivals in her career debut in May, which came in a five-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. She faces a number of closers in the Mockingbird, and there’s a chance she could slip away when she breaks from post 2 under jockey Keith Asmussen.

Edistrudis, who was second by a neck when facing Divine Gal last out at Oaklawn, is another who has some speed. She draws well, to the immediate outside of Sharp Tune. Martin Chuan has the mount from post 3.

Xtreme Smoke Show is a fresh horse who has shown speed in the past. If she added to the tempo, it could benefit not only Divine Gal, but also Tanya Showers and Midshipman’s Dance.

Tanya Showers closed from last to win a maiden special weight sprint over six furlongs Dec. 31 at Oaklawn. The Beyer Speed Figure of 76 that she earned is the best last-race number in the Mockingbird. The second-best number is the 71 that Divine Gal earned at Oaklawn.

Tanya Showers is a daughter of Runhappy who will break from post 6 under Chris Landeros.

Midshipman’s Dance comes off a debut win in maiden special weight sprint at Oaklawn. She closed from seventh under Cristian Torres, who has the mount from the rail Saturday.

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