Hamazing Destiny should get his footing

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Peanut butter might have been the secret to getting the famous talking horse Mister Ed to move his lips during his television series, but the crack sprinter Hamazing Destiny has no use for the stuff. Peanut butter-like is how Hamazing Destiny's trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, described the wet track that the horse caught earlier this month when he was fourth as the 4-5 favorite in the $50,000 King Cotton at Oaklawn.

"He hates the peanut butter," Lukas said of Hamazing Destiny. "We'll wheel back on a fast track and see what happens."

Lukas should get the footing he desires for Hamazing Destiny on Sunday, when the horse runs back in the ninth, a $75,000 optional claiming allowance at six furlongs. The race drew a field of seven older horses, and figures to produce starters for the $60,000 Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn on March 20.

Lukas said that race is a goal for Hamazing Destiny, who turned heads in November when he won a first-level allowance by more than seven lengths in his final start at 3. He earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 107 for that front-running effort, which came at Churchill Downs. Hamazing Destiny then made his first start of the year in the King Cotton, on Feb. 5. He never got into the race, and finished six lengths behind winner Cosmic.

Hamazing Destiny has since breezed four furlongs in 46.80 seconds, the fastest of 92 moves at the distance at Oaklawn on Feb. 14. Alex Birzer picks up the mount from Terry Thompson, who is serving a three-day suspension for a riding infraction at Oaklawn. Hamazing Destiny, a son of Salt Lake, races for Barry Butzow and Westrock Stable.

Agastache also exits the King Cotton. He finished third in the race, one start after missing by a neck in the $50,000 Holiday Cheer at Turfway Park on Dec. 26. Agastache might get a tracking trip on Sunday behind Hamazing Destiny and Slater's Peanuts, who won two races wire to wire before finishing eighth in the King Cotton. Slater's Peanut's front-running wins included the $50,000 Golden Circle at Prairie Meadows.

Rick Hiles trains Agastache and has given the mount to Jon Court.

Also in the field is Wildeydsouthernboy, who will be making his first start since winning a $62,500 optional claiming allowance at Arlington Park on July 31. He earned a Beyer Figure of 96, the best last-race number in the field Sunday.