Hoonani Road, Spotitude square off in Rainbow Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The plot line looks like a simple one Friday in the $100,000 Rainbow at Oaklawn Park: Hoonani Road is the one to catch, and Spotitude is the one to fear.

The Rainbow Stakes is a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds bred in Arkansas. It drew a field of nine. Hoonani Road is the probable favorite after winning both of his starts wire to wire at this meet. He might have to fend off Spotitude, who used his closing kick to win his debut back in January.

“He’s the type of horse that on the right day can fire, so we’re hoping that’s Friday,” said Al Cates, who trains Spotitude for Ronald Ball and Golden Sky Racing.

The Rainbow complements Friday night’s Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Horsemen’s Association awards banquet.

Rainbow Stakes (Race 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Spotitude, by Spotsgone
Last 3 Beyers: 59-64-54

◗ He showed talent in his career debut Jan. 12, rallying for a 1 1/2-length win in a maiden special weight sprint at Oaklawn. Most recently, Spotitude finished eighth in a first-level allowance here March 16. He was hung wide after breaking from post 12, and Cates said he believes Spotitude will have more in his favor Friday.

“It was such a tough field last time,” Cates said. “It was a lot of older horses, and I think the track was speed favoring that day, and we had kind of a rough trip. So, when we figure all that in … this is a smaller field. We like our post. ”

◗ Spotitude will break from post 7 under Ramon Vazquez, the fourth-leading rider at Oaklawn.

“We’re hoping to be closer than he was last time and come with a run,” said Cates.

◗ Cates sharpened Spotitude for the task during training hours Tuesday.

“We kind of let him pick it up a bit – we didn’t really work him – and he’s coming into the race good,” Cates said. “He looked good, so we think he’s going to run good.”

Hoonani Road, by Jonesboro
Beyers: 74-75

◗ He’s the one to beat for his 2-for-2 record and field-best Beyer Speed Figures. Hoonani Road won his debut by 9 1/2 lengths in a $20,000 maiden-claiming sprint Feb. 10, then defeated winners in a first-level allowance March 16.

◗ There is other speed in the Rainbow, but Hoonani Road could prove to be the controlling speed based on the quick fractions he set last out.

◗ Channing Hill has the mount from post 5 for Jerry Caroom and trainer Wayne Catalano.