Fast N Fine Lookin may be hard to catch in American Beauty

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – One of the central questions to debate in the $100,000 American Beauty at Oaklawn Park on Saturday is whether Fast N Fine Lookin can shake free. The stakes winner has used her exceptional speed to win four of her six starts wire-to-wire, and with some of her chief rivals turning back in distance, she could be gone from post 13.

The American Beauty is for fillies and mares over six furlongs. The field includes Sugar Shock, the winner of last year’s Grade 3 Fantasy at Oaklawn who is making her first start since June, and Brazen Persuasion, the winner of the Grade 3 Schuylerville at Saratoga at 2 and perhaps the main pace threat to Fast N Fine Lookin.

Others adding depth include Flower Spell, a multiple stakes winner; Chortle, who was stakes-placed last year at Oaklawn; and Table Three Ten, who appears to be coming into a peak race.

:: DRF Live: Get real-time updates and insights from DRF reporters and handicappers on Saturday

Fast N Fine Lookin will be making her first start for trainer Joe Petalino after owner-trainer C.R. Trout recently relinquished conditioning duties in order to tend to horses he has on his farm in Oklahoma.

American Beauty, race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Fast N Fine Lookin (Last 3 Beyers: 59-81-95)

◗ Fast N Fine Lookin breezed a half-mile in 48.20 seconds at Oaklawn on Jan. 19 in her final prep for the American Beauty. She worked under jockey Luis Quinonez, who has the mount Saturday.

“She galloped out [five furlongs] in 1:00 and looked real good doing it,” Petalino said. “Luis was happy with the way she went.”

◗ Fast N Fine Lookin last raced Nov. 26 and set a quick pace before finishing fifth in the $81,000 Zia Park Distaff. Prior to that race, she had won four consecutive races – a maiden special weight at Lone Star Park in June, two allowances, and the $50,000 Flashy Lady, all at Remington Park.

◗ Petalino said he is concerned by the wide draw. “The 13 hole, I don’t like that,” he said.

Table Three Ten (Last 3 Beyers: 82-83-82)

◗ She placed in two stakes in her last three starts, the Pink Ribbon at Charles Town in September and the Dream Supreme at Churchill Downs in October.

◗ She raced closer to the pace than usual last out when a tracking second in an optional $62,500 claimer at Fair Grounds on Nov. 28.