Oaklawn: Officer Alex, Texas Bling part of stakes-caliber cast

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Officer Alex and Texas Bling, who last season participated in Oaklawn’s stakes series for 3-year-olds, will take on 14-time winner Bull Dozer in the track’s eighth race Thursday. The third-level optional $62,500 claimer will be run over six furlongs. The field of nine also includes stakes winners Heaven’s Runway and Z Rockstar.

“I think it’s a very competitive group,” said Lynn Whiting, who trains Officer Alex.

Officer Alex was unplaced in last year’s Smarty Jones and Southwest at Oaklawn before returning to sprinting and winning both an allowance and the $75,000 Bachelor at the track. He enters Thursday’s race off a runner-up finish, beaten a length, in the $78,000 Banjo Picker at Parx on Sept. 7. In his first start in blinkers, Officer Alex earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 96.

“He fired a pretty good race that day at Parx,” Whiting said. “He closed with a good flourish.”

Following the start, the decision was made to freshen Officer Alex.

“He’d had a busy campaign since his 2-year-old season and we felt like it was time to give him a little break,” Whiting said.

Israel Ocampo has the mount from post 3.

Texas Bling was second in last year’s Smarty Jones off a win in the $300,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park. He also finished ninth in the Southwest, as well a fourth in Oaklawn’s Rebel and eighth in the Arkansas Derby. Texas Bling will be cutting back to a sprint distance for the first time since June 2012, and will add blinkers for trainer Danele Durham.

Bull Dozer could go favored as he is not only the winningest member of the field, but also its highest earner with a bankroll of $363,721. In his most recent start, he overcame trouble early to win an optional $80,000 claimer at Churchill Downs on Nov. 23.

“He’s been running in some very competitive races,” said trainer Bret Calhoun.

Bull Dozer will break from post 2 under Cliff Berry.

“I think he’s versatile,” Calhoun said. “His normal trip is stalk and pounce. He can be in the race a little more if need be, and he can be a little farther back if need be.”

Calhoun will also send out Doc Almon, who was fourth last out to Bull Dozer.

“He’s a less experienced horse,” Calhoun said. “He rolled through his conditions quickly, and now he’s running against tougher horses. It’s a bit of a transition, but we still like him a lot.”

Francisco Torres will ride Doc Almon.