Holy Boss has class edge in Friday sprint feature

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Holy Boss, an impressive debut winner at Churchill Downs who has seen Grade 1 company in New York, figures to go favored Friday in a $50,000 optional-claiming allowance for 3-year-olds that is the highlight of the card at Oaklawn Park. The six-furlong race goes as the ninth and final race, and it drew a full field of 12.

The other high-end race on the program is a $20,000 optional claimer for older fillies and mares at six furlongs. It is led by Electric Temptress, a three-time winner facing some less-experienced rivals in a race that carries first-level allowance conditions.

Holy Boss was fifth in the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont Park in October, one start after rolling to a 10 1/4-length maiden special weight win at Churchill. He has been entered twice at Oaklawn and will be making his first start at the track Friday.

“I think he’ll run well,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Holy Boss for Jerry Durant. “He was in opening weekend, the races were canceled, so he was a touch out of rhythm out of that. But I think he’ll be back on his game this week.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Holy Boss (Last 3 Beyers: 74-64-81)

◗ He comes off a fifth-place finish in a $75,000 optional claimer at Churchill on Nov. 29. He dueled through quick fractions one start after the Champagne and finished four lengths behind the winner in Kentucky.

“That wasn’t the true him,” Asmussen said. “He had a gotten a little ulcer on his eye out of the Champagne. It was a sloppy day and stuff like that. That was cleared up plenty before the last race. It just interrupted his training.”

◗ Holy Boss will break from post 12 and figures to be prominent Friday.

“He’s fast,” said Asmussen.

◗ Ricardo Santana Jr., who has jumped out to the early lead in the riders’ standings, has the mount.

Hidden Danger (Last 3 Beyers: 67-63-70)

◗ He has been flattered since a maiden special weight win at Churchill Downs in his most recent start Nov. 29. The fourth- and fifth-place finishers from the race have returned to win maiden special weight races at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, respectively.

◗ Shaun Bridgmohan has the mount for Gary and Mary West and trainer Wayne Catalano.

Subtle Indian (Beyer: 74)

◗ He dominated a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race at Canterbury in his lone start June 22.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Subtle Indian will add blinkers, and his trainer, Robertino Diodoro, has won at a 37 percent clip in 2014-15 with horses making their first start in the equipment.