The Pickett Factor ventures to Arkansas to face open company

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Things could get a little spicy at Oaklawn on Friday, when the Louisiana-bred standout The Pickett Factor makes a rare start against open company in the seventh race. The optional $50,000 claiming race for 4-year-olds and up at a mile drew a slew of stakes winners, including Neck ‘n Neck, Carve, Ain’t Got Time, Ecleto Red, and the mare Miss Mo Kelly.

“It’s salty,” said Ralph Irwin, who trains The Pickett Factor.

In race 8, the stakes-placed Forest Circle invades from Fair Grounds for an entry-level allowance sprint for fillies and mares. The field includes the capable locals Asian’s Way and Five Star Nap.

Race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

The Pickett Factor, by Gold Tribute

Last 3 Beyers: 90-83-81

◗ He’s a four-time stakes winner coming off a runner-up finish in the $150,000 Premier Night Championship for Louisiana-breds on Feb. 11 at Delta Downs. He finished a length behind the front-running Mobile Bay, a Grade 2 winner who became a millionaire with the victory. The Pickett Factor was making his first start since December.

“He ran a decent race last time down at Delta,” Irwin said. “Mobile Bay, of course, he’s a salty rascal. He’s a nice horse. He got the jump on us. The Pickett Factor tried to make a race out of it, and he did to a certain point. We just weren’t going to get by [Mobile Bay].”

◗ The Pickett Factor has spent the bulk of his time racing with Louisiana-breds. Irwin said stepping outside of those ranks Friday is due in part to a lack of suitable options for The Pickett Factor and his sense that the horse is doing well. The horse also is a winner at Oaklawn.

“It’s time to just see,” said Irwin. “Basically, there’s nothing right away, and he’s doing good. I would like to keep him in the racing-mode mind-set. This just kind of set up time-wise.”

◗ The Pickett Factor defeated open-company stakes rivals in the $100,000 Prelude in 2015 at Louisiana Downs.

◗ Luis Quinonez has the mount from post 2.

Neck ‘n Neck, by Flower Alley

Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-88

◗ He will be giving up recency to these while making his first start since June, but what he lacks there he makes up for in class as a four-time graded stakes winner who has earned more than $1 million.

◗ Neck ‘n Neck, who will be making his first start for Clark Brewster and trainer Steve Asmussen, finished eighth in the Grade 2 Brooklyn, won by eventual Woodward winner Shaman Ghost, in his most recent start.

◗ Neck ‘n Neck has prepped for his return at Fair Grounds.

◗ Richard Eramia has the mount from post 5.