Kantex searches for first two-turn win in Natural State

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Kantex will be looking to improve upon her outstanding 5-for-7 record at Oaklawn Park on Friday, when she attempts to nail down her first win at two turns in the $150,000 Natural State Breeders’.

The one-mile race ends at the sixteenth pole and is for fillies and mares bred in Arkansas. It has drawn a field of 10, including last year’s winner, Kaboom Baby.

The Natural State goes as the ninth race on an 11-race card that ushers in the final race week of the meet. Other highlights include the eighth race. The first-level allowance rematches Hush It Honey and Haulin Ice, who ran one-two in last month’s Rainbow Miss, and features the return of Adirondack runner-up Here U Come Again.

Kantex enters the Natural State off a neck win in the $150,000 Downthedustyroad on March 2 at Oaklawn. The Beyer Speed Figure of 77 that she earned is the best last-race figure in the field. Kantex is getting a rare opportunity at a two-turn spot for fillies and mares bred in Arkansas.

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“I don’t think two turns will be a problem, hopefully,” trainer Randy Morse said. “She ran in the same race last year, and I believe she was fourth. But she was running a little green and finished up well. We’ve always thought she wanted to go two turns.”

Kantex is a daughter of Street Strategy, whose six career wins came at two turns, led by the Fifth Season in 2016 at Oaklawn. He raced for Randy Patterson and was trained by Morse, both of whom co-bred and own Kantex.

“There’s a lot of her,” Morse said. “She’s a good size, got a nice big stride on her.”

Street Strategy, who also is the sire of entrants Rivercrest Girl and Punchy Girl, was honored last month as the Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders and Horsemen’s Association’s stallion of the year for 2023.

Rafael Bejarano has the mount on Kantex from post 6.

Kaboom Baby was a half-length winner of last year’s Natural State. She enters Friday’s renewal off a third-place finish in a $30,000 starter allowance for Arkansas-bred fillies and mares March 28.

“She’s coming into the race really well,” said trainer Ernie Witt. “I’m hoping that we can work out a little better trip than her last race going a mile and a sixteenth. She was kind of wide going into that first turn and maybe had to swing out a little turning for home. I think she lost a little ground in that race. A lot of these route races the best trip has a big advantage and so I’m just hoping she can work out a good trip.”

Kaboom Baby will start from post 9 under Luis Quinonez.

Kaboom Baby’s win in last year’s Natural State was an unforgettable one for Arkansas-based breeder and owner Tracy Selby and her family.

“At the time that they gave me Kaboom Baby, it was their only horse,” recalled Witt. “It was just a dream come true.”

Kaboom Baby can become the all-time leading Arkansas-bred female by earnings Friday. She has made $495,159 and is chasing the target of $539,894 held by The Mary Rose, according to the ATBHA.

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