Racing Festival of South stakes taking shape

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Signs that the Racing Festival of the South is right around the corner at Oaklawn Park were everywhere on Friday.

The champion Untapable was out for an early gallop as she continues preparations for a defense of her title in the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on April 15.

Southwest Stakes winner Suddenbreakingnews worked a half-mile in 48.80 seconds for an intended start in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 16.

And nominations for both the Grade 3, $400,000 Fantasy for 3-year-old fillies on April 9 and the Grade 3, $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 10 closed Friday.

The festival is an annual grouping of major stakes over the final week of the Oaklawn meet. There will be nine stakes contested, from the Fantasy next Saturday through the Arkansas Derby on the final program of the season. The total purses for the stakes – five of which are graded – is a record $3.75 million.

“We’re excited about what’s coming on,” said Pat Pope, racing secretary at Oaklawn. “We have the Fantasy and Count Fleet to start the festival, and of course, the centerpiece is the Arkansas Derby.”

The Arkansas Derby is the richest race of the meet and will anchor a card of four stakes that includes the Grade 2, $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap. The stakes will be part of a 12-race closing-day program that will start at noon Central, said Pope. Entries for the Arkansas Derby will be taken April 13.

“The early look at the Derby right now is a field of between eight and 10,” Pope said Friday. “Do I think we’ll find another one or two? Yes. Who? I don’t know. It’s not closed.”

Pope said he looks for the Arkansas Derby field to include the winner of the three local preps: Cupid, who captured last month’s Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel Stakes; Suddenbreakingnews, the winner of the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest in February; and Discreetness, who captured the $150,000 Smarty Jones in January. In addition, Pope looks for the race to draw Whitmore, Creator, and representatives from trainers D. Wayne Lukas and Dale Romans.

Dazzling Gem, the third-place finisher in the Louisiana Derby, is being considered for the Arkansas Derby, as is American Pioneer, a late nominee to the Triple Crown. Luna de Loca, a recent allowance winner at Oaklawn, is possible, said trainer Steve Asmussen. Trainer Todd Pletcher said he could start a horse in the Arkansas Derby. Among those he has under consideration is Tampa Bay Derby winner Destin, according to the latest edition of Daily Racing Form’s Derby Watch.

Suddenbreakingnews worked first after the renovation break Friday, with clockers catching his final quarter in 23.40 seconds and having him galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.80. Luis Quinonez was aboard for trainer Donnie Von Hemel.

Pope said the potential starters for the Oaklawn Handicap include Melatonin and Upstart, while he hopes to also draw Effinex. Pletcher said he could have a starter for the Oaklawn Handicap.

The field for the Apple Blossom, Pope said, could include Untapable, Call Pat, Streamline, and Theogony. Tara’s Tango is a consideration for the race, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer told DRF following her win in last month’s Grade 1 Santa Margarita.

“I’m very pleased with how the races are coming up,” said Pope.