Fairwayngreen to show the way in sprint

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Pace will make Fairwayngreen’s race on Friday, when she starts as one of the top choices in the featured eighth at Oaklawn Park.

The optional $40,000 claiming race for fillies and mares will be run over six furlongs. The field of nine includes the stakes winners Obsolete, Time and Chance, Profound Moment, and Three Chords.

Fairwayngreen has a chance to control the pace. The early fractional times, such as the half-mile split, will be one of the keys to her race, trainer Dewaine Loy said.

“I can see her leaving in front like normal, and hopefully, if they let her by with a [46-second] half, they’re in trouble,” he said. “If they go 44, we’re in trouble.”

The seventh race Friday also matches fillies and mares, in an optional $50,000 claiming race at a mile. The field includes Hold Her Tight, the third-place finisher in last year’s Grade 3 Iowa Oaks, and Clever Serve, winner of the $100,000 She’s All In Stakes in December at Remington Park. Another contender is First Alternate, whose full brother, Knowyouroptions, runs in the sixth race Friday.

Race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Fairwayngreen, by Songandaprayer
Last 3 Beyers: 79-66-75

◗ She comes off a runner-up finish to Oxford Comma in the $50,000 Orleans on Jan. 4 at Delta Downs. Fairwayngreen contested the pace throughout the five-furlong race and was beaten a neck by the winner, who is 9 for 12, Loy noted.

“I actually think the six furlongs is better for her,” Loy said of Fairwayngreen. “She doesn’t have to go as fast early.”

◗ Fairwayngreen also is making the Delta-to-Oaklawn move that often works well for horses.

“They’re both the same type of surface, both sandy soil,” Loy said. “This filly, she loves any surface I’ve ever put her on.”

◗ Fairwayngreen is an eight-time winner who races for David Korkames. She will break from post 3 under Israel Rodriguez.

“She’s not hard to rate,” Loy said.

“Her quick early foot is sure a plus.”

Keep Your Distance, by Concord Point
Last 3 Beyers: 67-70-76

◗ She met Oxford Comma one start before Fairwayngreen did, in the Claiming Crown Distaff Dash at Gulfstream. Oxford Comma won that day, while Keep Your Distance finished eighth. The Dec. 1 race ended up producing three next-out winners, with Oxford Comma coming back to capture the Orleans.

◗ David Cabrera has the mount from post 8 for trainer Matt Kordenbrock.