Miss Mo Kelly dangerous with right setup

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Pace, please.

That’s what trainer Paul Holthus is hoping for Wednesday, when he sends out the stakes winner Miss Mo Kelly in the featured eighth race at Oaklawn Park. The optional $50,000 claiming route for fillies and mares kick-starts the final week of the meet, which closes Saturday with the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby.

The post-position draw for the Arkansas Derby also will be held Wednesday in a ceremony near the paddock area at 12:30 p.m. Central. First post is 1:30 p.m.

The late-running Miss Mo Kelly drew the rail for Wednesday’s one-mile race, which ends at the sixteenth pole.

“She definitely needs a pace in front of her,” Holthus said. “That’s her deal.”

The nine-horse field also includes Adore, who is launching her 4-year-old season after running third in last year’s Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks.

KEY CONTENDERS

Miss Mo Kelly, by Congrats

Last 3 Beyers: 75-72-80

◗ Miss Mo Kelly, who used her closing kick to win the $100,000 She’s All In Handicap in December at Remington Park, will be shortening up from 1 1/16 miles, but Holthus said that could work out for her.

“A lot of times, those mile races there will be enough of a pace in the race that, really, it’s as big a benefit as going further,” Holthus said. “You get some of those sprinter fillies in there that will make a faster pace.”

Misleading Lady and Hotshot Anna are stretching out from a sprint and should provide Miss Mo Kelly with pace.

◗ Miss Mo Kelly is returning to the overnight ranks after running sixth in the Grade 2 Azeri at Oaklawn.

“We got beat five lengths,” Holthus said. “She ran a good race. This looks like a good spot for her. I think she’ll be competitive against this field.”

◗ Geovanni Franco has the mount from the rail for Dundalk LLC.

Adore, by Big Brown

Last 3 Beyers: 60-74-79

◗ She is making her first start since June and returning to a track over which she is 2 for 2. Adore won a maiden special weight race at a mile in January 2016 at Oaklawn, then came back and won a first-level allowance here that February.

◗ Luis Contreras has the mount for Winchell Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Titanium, by Bellamy Road

Last 3 Beyers: 76-75-60

◗ Last out, she set the pace for much of an optional $40,000 claiming route before finishing fifth to Grade 3 winner Big World.