Fortune Play should get cleaner trip this time
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Fortune Play had a rather uncomfortable trip in her last start, when she was caught between rivals in a first-level allowance at Oaklawn Park.
She returns to action here Friday, but with a better post, and that could lead to a different kind of trip. Fortune Play will break from post 7 in a field of seven for the eighth race, a first-level allowance for fillies and mares at six furlongs.
"I like that," said her trainer, Scooter Dickey. "She likes to lay right off of it and stalk a little bit. The last time, she was head and head all the way in between horses. She'd be more comfortable where she could stalk the leaders."
Fortune Play broke from post 6 in a field of eight in the allowance at Oaklawn on Jan. 18. She was swept up in the pace from the start, then was crowded at the head of the stretch before finishing third to winner Like Candy.
"She was in between horses and kind of backed out of there," Dickey said. "When she got clear she came running again. I'm hoping this time she has a clean trip."
Terry Thompson has the mount on Fortune Play, who races for Preston Stable.
Other top contenders in the field include Green Glory, who was fourth in a first-level allowance sprint at Hawthorne in her last start Nov. 8. Trainer Steve Hobby has given the mount to Chris Emigh.
Stellsie was second to future stakes winner Sweet Relish in her last start, a first-level allowance sprint at Oaklawn in April. She shows some strong works for her return for trainer Mac Robertson, who wins at an above-average rate with comebackers. Stellsie will be ridden by Israel Ocampo.
Also on the card is a $17,500 optional claiming allowance for older horses at 1 1/16 miles. One of the chief players is A.U. Miner, the runner-up in a first-level allowance route at Fair Grounds in his last start Jan. 9. Calvin Borel has the mount for his brother, trainer Cecil Borel.
The race will also serve as the comeback of Buzzin and Dreamin, who last year was third in the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn. He will be making his first start since February. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has given the mount to Thompson.
* There is a chance of snow in Hot Springs on Friday.