Insensitive steadily improving

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The cold, hard truth is that Insensitive starts as one of the leading contenders in Thursday’s eighth race at Oaklawn Park.

Insensitive goes in a one-mile, first-level allowance for fillies and mares. The program is the first of five consecutive Thursday cards at the meet.

The feature drew 14, with Triple L’s Cutter and Lacie B Good, who has won her last four starts, on the also-eligible list. Paris Style, Xylophone, and American Band will get good support off competitive races in their last starts, while the same is true for Insensitive.

She was second at this level Feb. 11, going 1 1/16 miles in the slop. The race was her first off a maiden special weight win at the same distance. The Beyer Speed Figure of 77 she earned is one of the best last-race numbers in the field.

“She’s kind of progressed every time she’s run here lately and we’re happy with the way she’s doing,” Anderson said. “It looks like a good spot.”

Insensitive is a daughter of the Venezuelan-bred stallion Karun, a Group 1 winner by Arch, said Anderson. Insensitive is co-owned by her breeder, the Rose Hill Farm operation of Tony Ocampo.

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“It’s a pretty good mare she’s out of,” Anderson said. “It’s a Tale of the Cat mare. Tony said she had some black type behind her.”

Insensitive’s dam, Hy Belle Champ, is a half-sister to Vasilika, a multiple Grade 1 winner of $1.8 million. Vasilika’s biggest wins came at 1 1/4 miles in the Rodeo Drive and 1 1/8 miles in the Gamely.

Insensitive will have to shorten up some in distance for the conditioned spot Thursday.

“That’s maybe just a hair concern,” Anderson said. “But I still think she can get up that short. I know the further she goes the better she’s going to be.”

Insensitive will break from post 9 under regular rider Francisco Arrieta.

“She can kind of put herself wherever she wants to be,” Anderson said. “She’s been on the front end before and if no one really wants to go and she’s got the opportunity, she can. If she doesn’t, we’ll just kind of play it by ear.”

Even though Insensitive is her name, it’s not her personality.

“She’s super to be around,” said trainer Doug Anderson. “She’s playful a little bit around the barn, but on the racetrack she’s all business. She’s just a joy to be around.”

Insensitive could get a nice setup behind a trio of runners stretching out from one turn to two. American Band comes off a win in a $30,000 claiming race over six furlongs. The Beyer Speed Figure of 83 that she earned is the best last-race number in the field. She will start from post 3, outside fellow last-race sprint runners Dream Streak and Tyrona.

Xylophone was second by a head at this level and distance last out, while Paris Style is moving back to the distance of her maiden win.

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