Route breeding may help Miz K in allowance

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The cast of 3-year-old fillies in Thursday’s eighth race at Oaklawn is a talented one, and it would not be a surprise to see a few of them advance to next month’s Grade 3, $400,000 Fantasy.

“It’s a tough little race,” said trainer Steve Hobby, who will start Miz K.

A field of seven is signed on for the Thursday feature, an optional $62,500 claiming route for 3-year-old fillies that carries first-level allowance conditions. It will be run over 1 1/16 miles.

First Alternate could go favored after running second against similar in her last three starts, while Tyfosha is returning to the overnight ranks after finishing fourth last out in the $125,000 Martha Washington at Oaklawn. The field also includes Lil Vie, who comes off a 13 1/4-length maiden special weight win in her two-turn debut Feb. 19 at Oaklawn.

KEY CONTENDERS

Miz K, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 50-66-40

◗ She is the best-bred runner in the field as a daughter of Tapit and the Grade 1-winning mare Tiz Miz Sue, a millionaire who captured the Ogden Phipps in 2012 at Belmont Park and who also won back-to-back runnings of the Azeri at Oaklawn. It’s a pedigree that supports Miz K as she moves to two turns for the first time Thursday.

“That’s what we’ve always wanted to do,” Hobby said. “I definitely think that’s her future.”

◗ Miz K, who races for her breeder, Cresran, won a maiden special weight sprint in her second career start Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. She was prominent for a 2 1/4-length win. Miz K has made one start since, finishing fifth in a first-level allowance sprint Feb. 19 at Oaklawn.

“She got away terrible,” Hobby said. “She was last by 10 lengths early. And that’s not her. She’s not a Chindi. She’s not going to run and catch them like that. Hopefully, going long, she should be laying close and keep running.”

◗ Gary Stevens has the mount from post 7.

First Alternate, by Alternation
Last 3 Beyers: 73-73-61

◗ She hooked a blowout winner last out in Eskimo Kisses, who is stakes-bound after an 11 1/2-length win Feb. 22 at Oaklawn. First Alternate set the pace to the later stages in the 1 1/16-mile race run in the slop, just as she did the race before, when second at this same level and distance Feb. 2 at Oaklawn.

◗ First Alternate is a half-sister to Now I Know, a Grade 3 winner at two turns who earned $461,721.

◗ Shane Laviolette has the mount for trainer Don Von Hemel, who also bred and owns the filly in partnership with Todd Dunn.