One Way Or Another has plenty in her favor

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – One Way Or Another will have some key variables in her favor Thursday when she starts as a leading contender in Oaklawn’s eighth race, a competitive six-furlong first-level allowance for fillies and mares bred in Arkansas with an optional claiming price of $30,000.

A field of 11 has signed on, and One Way Or Another could start as the second or third choice behind probable favorite Music Mistress, who owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure of 76.

One Way Or Another has more natural speed than most of her rivals, and that could give her a tactical advantage Thursday.

“She’s always forwardly placed,” co-owner and trainer Randy Morse said. “She’s pretty quick.”

Morse also likes the outside draw for One Way Or Another, who could show the way or track from post 9.

“When you’re outside, your hands are not forced so much,” he said.

One Way Or Another will get the services of Oaklawn’s leading rider, Cristian Torres. And in another key variable, Morse likes the timing of Thursday’s race off her last start, a runner-up finish at this level and distance Jan. 6.

“She tends to run her best race when her races are spaced,” he said.

Morse owns One Way Or Another with Sam Vogel. She has something in common with a few other quality Arkansas-bred fillies and mares Morse has in the barn this meet, Kantex and Connie K. The three are by the stallion Street Strategy, who won the Fifth Season at Oaklawn for Morse in 2016.

Kantex is coming off a win in the $150,000 Downthedustyroad and is now being pointed to the $150,000 Natural State on May 3, Morse said. Connie K was third in the Downthedustyroad following an allowance win at Oaklawn.

Music Mistress will start from post 2 on Thursday after running second over some of these on Feb. 17. She was beaten just a head after winning a $30,000 conditioned claiming sprint against open company on Dec. 30 at Oaklawn. Luis Fuentes was aboard that afternoon and again has the mount for trainer Joe McKellar.

Sistersouttachrome is back racing with fillies and mares after facing males in a $50,000 starter allowance won by the win-streaking Black Apple. The race was at a mile, and Sistersouttachrome also will be cutting back to one turn, a configuration over which she won her maiden. Walter De La Cruz has the mount for trainer John Haran.

Another capable runner in the field is Sulwe.

◗ Nash is among nine entered in the $200,000 Hot Springs, a new race for 3-year-olds at a mile on Saturday. He ships in from Fair Grounds, and Florent Geroux has the mount for trainer Brad Cox. Others set to start include the Steve Asmussen-trainees Otto the Conqueror and Carbone.

The Hot Springs will share a 10-race card with the Grade 3, $600,000 Essex Handicap that drew shippers Lure Him In, Wizard of Westwood, and First Mission. The field of nine also includes Oaklawn-based Ain’t Life Grand.

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