HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Ricky Tick might have two significant factors working in his favor on Sunday, when he makes his third start of the year in the featured ninth race at Oaklawn Park. “I’m hoping that’s the case,” said Rick Jackson, who trains Ricky Tick for Jac Mac Stables and Cedar Lakes Stable. “I’ve got my fingers crossed.” Ricky Tick will be picking up more ground in the first-level allowance for 4-year-olds and up that has an optional claiming price of $16,000. He is moving from a mile to 1 1/16 miles, and that should be a benefit, said Jackson. The race will also be Ricky Tick’s first start following minor throat surgery. He displaced his palate in his last start, Jan. 22, said Jackson. The horse prompted the pace then finished seventh in the race run at Oaklawn. “We had to do a little throat surgery on him,” Jackson said. “We’ll just have to see if it helps.” Ricky Tick, who was fourth to Apart in last year’s Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, will break from post 10 on Sunday. “I hope there’s plenty of pace,” Jackson said. “This time, I hope he relaxes and comes from off of it. He runs better like that, making one run. I’m just hoping there will be pace in there.” Eddie Razo has the mount on Ricky Tick, who is a 4-year-old by Macho Uno. His chief rivals in the nine-horse field include 11-time winner Rehoboth, who was second in a $20,000 claiming route at Oaklawn in his last start Jan. 29; Timely Pursuit, who last fall was second in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park; and Greytap, who was second in a first-level allowance at Oaklawn last month for trainer Frank Kirby. The field also includes Sunset Stroll, who in his last start was fourth to Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes candidate Alternation in a second-level allowance at Oaklawn on Feb. 21. Terry Thompson has the mount for Poindexter Thoroughbreds and trainer Allen Milligan. ◗ Ricky Tick is a stablemate of Superior Storm, the millionaire Louisiana-bred who could make her next start in one of two Oaklawn stakes, said Jackson. She is being considered for the Grade 3, $150,000 Azeri at 1 1/16 mile and a sixteenth on March 19, or the $75,000 Carousel at six furlongs March 27. Superior Storm races for Jac Mac Stables.