Put and Take can pounce on speed in Oaklawn feature

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – There appears to be a speed-fest brewing in Thursday’s ninth race at Oaklawn Park, and that might benefit the versatile Put and Take. She is capable of stalking the leaders in the $60,000 optional claiming sprint and draws a supportive post, to the outside of probable pacesetters Lady Giacamo, She’s Gonna Float, and Fast Flight Tonite.

They are part of a seven-horse field in the race that carries first-level allowance conditions. It will be run over 5 1/2 furlongs, and it is restricted to 3-year-old fillies. Others making up Thursday’s cast include Kit Carson, who rallied from fourth to win a maiden special weight last month at Oaklawn.

Put and Take will be moving back to the overnight ranks after finishing third in the $50,000 Dixie Belle at six furlongs at Oaklawn on Jan. 15. She will break from post 6 on Thursday.

“I would like to – depending on how the track’s playing – be sitting just off the pace with her,” said Scott Becker, who trains Put and Take for William Stiritz. “She’s a rateable filly. She shows speed on her form, but she’s never been sent to the lead.”

Put and Take tracked the pace in the Dixie Belle, which was her first start since November. Becker’s concern for Thursday is that she could run a little fresh, as she has not raced in over a month. Oaklawn has lost eight race dates because of winter weather.

“If I could have put back-to-back races in her three weeks apart, it would take that ‘jump’ out of her a little bit,” he said.

Chris Emigh has the mount on Put and Take, who last September was a maiden special weight winner at 5 1/2 furlongs at Arlington Park.

Lady Giacamo will break from the rail. She set the pace in the Dixie Belle and finished fifth in what was her first start since her June win in a division of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity at Lone Star Park. She is the most accomplished member of the field with a 3-for-4 record. Allen Milligan trains Lady Giacamo for JRita Young Thoroughbreds. Martin Escobar has the mount Thursday.

Kit Carson owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 74, for her maiden win at Oaklawn on Jan. 15. Michael Baze has the mount for trainer Lynn Whiting.

◗ There is a pick six carryover of $14,840 heading into the races Thursday.