El Asesino stands out in starter allowance

El Asesino, who has been racing in Southern California, will make his Oaklawn debut Sunday in the featured eighth race. The $50,000 starter allowance for 3-year-olds and up will be run at six furlongs and has a purse of $43,000.

El Asesino was second at this level in October at Santa Anita. In more recent times, he was third in a $25,000 starter allowance at Los Alamitos, a six-furlong race in December that went in a blazing 1:07.87. El Asesino has since been working at Oaklawn for M and M Racing and trainer Robertino Diodoro. He is a half-brother to Guns Loaded, a Grade 3 winner of more than $500,000.

The chief threats include Firehorn. He’s making his first start since a first-level allowance sprint Nov. 25 at Churchill. He was third to winner Share the Upside, who last week won an optional $50,000 claiming race at Oaklawn with a Beyer Speed Figure of 99.

Turbo S, another member of the field Sunday, is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Frost Giant.

Earlier on the card, Pretty At War, a daughter of Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty, goes in a maiden special weight for fillies and mares at a mile. She invades from Fair Grounds. Her rivals include Awe Emma, who is out of the Grade 1-winning millionaire Awesome Maria.

◗ Hunch bet of the day: Super Bowl Girl in the ninth and final race Sunday at Oaklawn.