Mallard's Bro shortens up for Nodouble Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Mallard’s Bro will be making a rare start at one turn Saturday, when he cuts back in distance for the $75,000 Nodouble. He will start as one of the top choices in the six-furlong race for Arkansas-bred colts and geldings ages 3 and up on the strength of a sharp allowance win over 1 1/16 miles Feb. 15.

“It looks like there is going to be some speed in there, and if they back up any, I believe he’ll be running late,” said Al Cates, who trains Mallard’s Bro for Five Star Racing Stable.

The Nodouble will share a card with the $75,000 Downthedustyroad, a six-furlong race for fillies and mares bred in Arkansas that is led by Jan’s Perfect Star and Pistolpackinpenny. In between the stakes, the promising Street Strategy goes in an optional $40,000 claiming route for older horses.

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NODOUBLE STAKES (RACE 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Mallard’s Bro (Last 3 Beyers: 70-77-86)

◗ He won in his first start since September in an allowance for Arkansas-breds at Oaklawn. In his prior out, Mallard’s Bro was second in a seven-furlong allowance against open company at Louisiana Downs.

“He’s definitely better at two turns, but he has run good short in the past,” Cates said.

◗ Cates also noted that the Nodouble is a rare stakes opportunity with Arkansas-breds for Mallard’s Bro. The state’s other stakes offering he fits is the $75,000 Arkansas Breeders’ at 1 1/16 miles March 27, a race he won last year and is pointing for again, said Cates.

We Be Stormin (Last 3 Beyers: 74-57-58)

◗ Another runner from the Cates barn, he won the allowance prep for the Nodouble at the end of January. He defeated older horses in what was the 3-year-old’s first out since September.

“He’s a very talented colt,” Cates said. “He usually has a little trouble getting out of the gate. If he gets away from the gate, he’ll be a lot closer [to the pace] than Mallard’s Bro.”

◗ Cates said We Be Stormin, like Mallard’s Bro, has one other stakes option at the meet, his against 3-year-olds in the $75,000 Rainbow on March 29.

“Luckily, they won’t have to face each other next time,” said Cates.

◗ Ramon Vazquez has the mount on We Be Stormin from post 11.

Primetime Dreamer (Last 3 Beyers: 70-66-59)

◗ He invades from Delta Downs, where he was fourth in an allowance sprint Jan. 30.

◗ Primetime Dreamer figures to be prominent on the move from five furlongs to six panels.

◗ Alex Birzer has the mount for owner-trainer Patti Turner.