HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Lone Rock is the undisputed class of the $150,000 Temperence Hill on Sunday at Oaklawn Park, but the millionaire will have to overcome an eight-month layoff to win the 1 1/2-mile race for the second year in a row. “I know it’s not an easy thing to do off that long of a break, but he seems happy and ready to go,” said trainer Robertino Diodoro. Lone Rock is part of a field of six for the Temperence Hill, which drew another notable marathon runner in Strong Tide. The three-time stakes winner also is returning from a layoff, as this marks his first start since June. Warrant, a Grade 3 winner who last year ran second in the Grade 2 Brooklyn at 1 1/2 miles at Belmont Park, adds further depth to the Temperence Hill. But the focus will be on Lone Rock, a six-time stakes winner who has won a pair of Grade 2 races at marathon distances. He boasts an overall record of 16 wins from 42 starts and earnings of $1.4 million. Lone Rock last raced July 28, finishing third to Fearless in the $194,000 Birdstone at Saratoga. “After his last race at Saratoga, he just seemed a little tired,” Diodoro said. “He got some time off and I think it’s done him a lot of good. He’s come back bigger and better than ever, I think.” Lone Rock resumed training at a farm in Florida, then returned to Diodoro earlier this meet. “He’s had some good works, some long works,” Diodoro said. “We’ve had some long gallops put in him. :: Take your handicapping to the next level and play with FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. “We’re excited about him. He seems very happy and fresh. He looks great. He got body clipped the other day and has a nice shine to him there, underneath his coat.” Ramon Vazquez has been named to ride Lone Rock, who could show the way or track the pace when he starts from post 6. Diodoro said 1 1/2 miles is the preferred distance of Lone Rock. The horse, who is now 8, has been a defining one for the trainer, who leads the standings at Oaklawn. “He’s meant the world to us,” Diodoro said. “He’s taken us all over the country. Especially a stable like ours, we don’t have [a lot of] stakes horses. We’re very limited. He’s taken us from Breeders’ Cup days to Keeneland, Churchill, Belmont, Saratoga, Del Mar. It’s crazy how many major tracks he’s taken us to, and on major days, too. He’s been a lot of fun.” Lone Rock races for the partnership of Flying P Stable, R. A. Hill Stable and Flying Partners. Strong Tide was third in the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup at two miles on turf in his most recent start June 10. Last meet here, he won an allowance over 1 1/2 miles with a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 102. Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from post 3 for trainer Mike Lauer. ◗ Oaklawn reverts back to a Friday-through-Sunday schedule for April. The track added Thursdays in March. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.