King Russell gets back to right distance at right track

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The last time King Russell raced at 1 1/8 miles he was second in the Arkansas Derby in a performance that yielded the points needed for him to ultimately land in the Kentucky Derby.

There’s not as much at stake when he returns to the distance Friday at Oaklawn Park for an entry-level allowance for 4-year-olds and up. But the race is still an important test for King Russell, who is making his second start since June.

“He’s older and he’s had an out now and we’re excited about what he could be as a 4-year-old,” trainer Ron Moquett said. “This is a good spot. You know you’re going to run into good horses at Oaklawn because the purses are so big. This is a great stepping-stone.”

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

The field of seven is strong. Southern Sunset enters off a maiden special weight win for which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 98 and Harlocap was the runner-up in the $300,000 Texas Derby two starts ago at Lone Star Park. Lord Vicente was fourth last out in a particularly deep allowance and B Minor is a threat to wire the field while stretching out in distance.

King Russell, who finished 15th in the Kentucky Derby, last raced Jan. 13 at Oaklawn. He launched his season in a first-level allowance at a mile and closed from seventh to finish second. Moquett likes the move back to 1 1/8 miles because of King Russell’s performance in last year’s Arkansas Derby, but said the horse still needs another key variable on Friday.

“We would like a little pace,” Moquett said. “Pace dictates the race.”

Rafael Bejarano will be aboard King Russell from post 5.

B Minor figures to be prominent after prompting the pace going six furlongs in his last start, his first race since August. Flying Houdini, who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Zandon, also will be going sprint to route.

Southern Sunset can be closer to the pace than King Russell, possibly giving him a tactical advantage. He stalked the pace in third on Jan. 27 when he won a maiden special weight over 1 1/16 miles by 6 3/4 lengths. The performance gives him the best career Beyer in this field.

Emmanuel Esquivel has the mount from post 7 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Harlocap can also be closer to the pace than King Russell. He stalked the pace in third when he missed by a nose in the Texas Derby in May. He’s made one start since, a sixth-place finish Jan. 6 in a one-mile entry-level allowance at Oaklawn. The start was the first on a wet track for the son of Justify.

The seventh race on the card is a maiden special weight for 3-year-olds at six furlongs. The field of 10 includes Henro, a half-brother to Grade 1-winning millionaire Street Band who is coming out of a maiden race won by eventual Southwest Stakes hero Mystik Dan.

Top Gun Rocket, a full brother to $1.5 million earner Frank’s Rockette, launches his 3-year-old season after finishing eighth last out to Track Phantom, who starts in Saturday’s Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds.

First-time starter Braven is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner We the People.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.