Explora returning for Fantasy Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Explora is part of a field of six for the Grade 2, $1 million Fantasy, a Kentucky Oaks points race that will be showcased on Friday’s 12-race card at Oaklawn Park. The Fantasy will be supported by the $250,000 Matron, which drew millionaire Haulin Ice.

Explora won the Grade 3, $750,000 Honeybee at Oaklawn earlier this month. She will start from post 6 in the Fantasy. Trainer Bob Baffert has given the mount to Flavien Prat.

The field from the rail with riders is: Search Party, Cristian Torres; Empath, Ramon Vazquez; Counting Stars, Francisco Arrieta; Taken by the Wind, Manny Esquivel; Sticker Shock, Irad Ortiz Jr.; and Explora.

Oaklawn boosted the purse of the Fantasy by $250,000 this meet and moved the race to a Friday after having run it previously on the Arkansas Derby undercard. The infield is scheduled to be open Friday, according to track executive Chris Ho.

:: Live racing action at Oaklawn Park! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now.