Oaklawn Park: Field of 10 set for wide-open allowance

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – There are no easy answers in Thursday’s eighth race at Oaklawn Park. The first-level allowance for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles drew a well-matched group of 10.

Russellin figures to go favored following a dominant maiden special-weight win for which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 88, but he must overcome the widest post. Arctic Slope is back in the overnight ranks following back-to-back graded stakes starts, while A Step Ahead is a full brother to multiple-Grade 1 winner Giant Oak.

The field also includes Sheikinator, a maiden special-weight winner at Churchill Downs who split the field in last year’s Grade 1 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park; Chairman Crooks, who was stakes-placed last year at Canterbury; I See Back, who had been based at Santa Anita; and Bro Rodrigeaux, a maiden winner last out with a Beyer Speed Figure of 81.

“It’s a very competitive race,” said D. Wayne Lukas, who trains contender Z Lucky. “Somebody may step up, and somebody’s going to have to, otherwise they’re all going to hit the wire together!”

Z Lucky won his 3-year-old debut in a $30,000 maiden claiming sprint Jan. 20 at Oaklawn. He moved to two turns one start later and ran second in a first-level allowance here, earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 81. Z Lucky enters Thursday’s race off a seventh-place finish in a deep optional $75,000 claimer at 1 1/16 miles run on a muddy track March 16.

“I need to go back one race and get that good number,” Lukas said. “I’m trying to find his niche in life. That’s where I’m at.”

Z Lucky, a son of Zensational, who at this point has proven to be a deep closer, will break from post 5. David Mello, the meet’s second-leading rider, has the mount for Zayat Stables.

Russellin, a son of Old Fashioned, was a four-length winner of a maiden special weight at this distance in his last start March 13. Ken Tohill has the mount for Chris Wilkins and trainer Chris Hartman.

Arctic Slope, who was seventh in the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes on March 22 and sixth in last fall’s Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, will be making his second start of the year Thursday. Trainer Ken McPeek has given the mount to Terry Thompson.

◗ Beautiful Rainbows, an 11-year-old mare by Salt Lake, will be seeking the 23rd win of her career when she starts in the fifth race Thursday.