Indexical returns Friday at Oaklawn

Indexical, who in 2016 ran second to Lord Nelson in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby at Del Mar, will make his first start for owner Danny Caldwell and trainer Federico Villafranco in Friday’s eighth race at Oaklawn. He has not raced since being haltered by his current connections out of a $30,000 claimer last May at Prairie Meadows. Friday’s optional $45,000 claiming sprint is for 4-year-olds and up over six furlongs, and the field of nine also includes Grade 3 winner Guns Loaded and top Iowa-bred One Fine Dream.

◗ A box for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks next month at Churchill Downs brought $12,000 to top a live auction benefit for the Arkansas Racetrack Chaplaincy, according to co-chaplain Robi Heffington. The other top-selling auction items were a fox red Labrador retriever – unique for its red color – which brought $2,400, and a Gun Runner painting by Lauren Wood, which brought $2,100. Heffington said the benefit funds chaplaincy operations and programs at Oaklawn.

◗ Lone Star Park has launched a racing club with plans to have a horse to race during the meet that opens April 19. There are 175 shares available at $500 each. The horse will be selected and trained by J.R. Caldwell. For more information, contact racingclub@lonestarpark.com