Melting Snow has upset chance against front-running Joyful Cadence

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Melting Snow’s most recent company line and her Sunday post position make her an interesting alternative to probable favorite Joyful Cadence in the fourth race at Oaklawn Park.

The second-level allowance for fillies and mares at six furlongs is one of two high-end offerings on the card. The eighth race is a first-level allowance for 4-year-olds and up over 5 1/2 furlongs.

Melting Snow exits a second-place finish on Feb. 19 against Novel Squall. The six-furlong allowance went in a quick 1:10.45, and last week Novel Squall’s trainer, John Ortiz, said she is being pointed for the $200,000 Carousel on April 2 at Oaklawn.

On Sunday, Melting Snow will start from the outside post in a field of six. Earlier in the meet, Melting Snow won an allowance sprint from gate 12. She is also appealing as a seven-time winner facing some less-experienced rivals Sunday. Some of Melting Snow’s wins have come at Del Mar.

Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount for trainer Rene Amescua, who is winning races at a 28 percent rate this meet. Melting Snow, a 4-year-old by Dialed In, races for Rockingham Ranch and Chad Littlefield.

Joyful Cadence is a deserving favorite off a sharp wire-to-wire win over allowance rivals Feb. 12. She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 84, the best last-race number in the field Sunday.

:: For the first time ever, our premium past performances are free! Get free Formulator now!

Joyful Cadence figures to again use her speed after she breaks from the rail. David Cabrera has the mount for WSS Racing and Ortiz.

Last year, Joyful Cadence finished third by a head in the Grade 3 Miss Preakness at Pimlico and second in the Purple Martin at Oaklawn. The daughter of Runhappy is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Country Grammer.

Joyful Cadence has a chance to slip away Sunday, with perhaps her main pace rival Southern Grayce from post 5. Perfect Happiness could also show speed from post 3.

Later on the card, Mesa Moon will attempt to end Devil’s Tower’s win streak in the eighth race. Devil’s Tower has won his last three starts, all this meet at Oaklawn for Darrin Dares and trainer Chris Hartman.

Mesa Moon exits a Feb. 18 allowance at Oaklawn in which he finished in a dead heat for second. In the process, he finished in front of a handful of the eight rivals he faces Sunday. Earlier in his career, Mesa Moon placed in a trio of stakes, including one against millionaire Welder.

Elvin Gonzalez has the mount on Mesa Moon from post 9. Scott Young trains the son of Sky Mesa for breeders Cimarron TTT Farms.

Devil’s Tower owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, an 85 for his win over $30,000 starter-allowance rivals on Feb. 25. Francisco Arrieta has the mount from post 8.