Koufax could be lone speed against stakes-level field

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Koufax might prove to be the controlling speed on Sunday when he goes for his fourth straight win in the eighth race at Oaklawn Park.

And while the second-level allowance could wind up being just that simple, the field of 11 boasts a number of quality rivals that merit consideration.

Grade 3 winner Background is launching his season in the 1 1/16-mile race, while the field also includes stakes winners Ethereal Road and Warren L. Heroic Move, who is multiple stakes-placed, could view for favoritism. Ben Franklin is another who should get good support in the betting.

Oaklawn leading trainer Steve Asmussen sends out Harlocap, who is stakes-placed at the distance. He might get an ideal trip just off Koufax.

“He’s trained really nicely,” Asmussen said.

Aside from Harlocap, Background, and Tapsasional could show speed.

Those horses all break well outside of Koufax, who will start from the rail under leading rider Cristian Torres. Koufax won from the rail post last out in a $30,000 starter allowance going two turns at Fair Grounds. He won at the same level at the track in February. Koufax started his streak in an allowance at Delta Downs in January.

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Tom Amoss trains Koufax for Maggi Moss.

Background will break from post 7 while making his first start since July. Tapsasional drew post 9. He was part of the pace over a mile last out and gets in lighter than most of these, at 111 pounds, under apprentice Joseph Bealmear.

Heroic Move, Ethereal Road, and Ben Franklin would benefit if the pace is quick, as all have strong closing kicks. Ben Franklin is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Klimt. Julien Leparoux, who is in town for the Oaklawn Handicap that was to have been run here Saturday, has the mount for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Warren L, who can stalk the pace, is a half-brother to the multiple stakes winners Hot Shot Kid, who earned more than $700,000 and is now retired, and Minecraft Maniac, who is an earner of nearly $470,000.

The seventh race Sunday brings together a competitive group of sprinters for a second-level allowance at six furlongs. Asmussen trainee Zambezi figures to go favored after earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 98 for a conditioned allowance win last out at Oaklawn. Keith Asmussen was aboard and again will be up when Zambezi breaks from post 3.

Our Last Chance will get good support as a two-time stakes winner who was fourth last out to Track Mate, a runner bound for the Grade 1 Churchill Downs. Francisco Arrieta has the mount for trainer Doug Anderson.

Squire Creek ran a close third at this level last time and has reason to move forward in his second start since August.

Bohemian Bo is facing open company after winning the $150,000 Nodouble for Arkansas-breds at this distance in March.

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