Seven Nation Army hard to hold back in King Cotton at Oaklawn

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Every time Seven Nation Army wins a race, a picture gets sent to musician Jack White.

White has seven of them now, and could collect an eighth depending on the results of the $150,000 King Cotton on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

Seven Nation Army is looking for his first stakes win as a top contender in the six-horse field that includes Grade 2 winner Flagstaff, Grade 3 winner Strike Power, and eight-time stakes winner Mr. Jagermeister.

Seven Nation Army received approval for his name from White, after co-owner Danny Ward connected with White’s manager.

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“The horse is named for [White’s] song with the White Stripes,” said trainer Ron Moquett. “It’s a fight song, and my partner on this horse wanted to name him for a fight song because his mom’s name is Chick Fight. It’s a popular song.

“Jack just wanted to make sure the horse would be cared for properly and wanted a win a picture should he win. We’ve been sending pictures to Jack White ever since.”

Seven Nation Army won his last start, taking a no-conditions allowance in the slop Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs. He closed from fifth for a head win in the five-furlong race and the Beyer Speed Figure of 99 that he earned is the best last-race number in the King Cotton.

“I was concerned about the slop,” Moquett said. “I was very happy that whenever he did get his footing, he came running late.

“I’m excited about trying him here. He deserves to take this chance. There are proven, good horses in the race. We’ll see where he’s at.”

Ramon Vazquez has the mount on Seven Nation Army from post 2.

“He likes to be a part of it,” said Moquett.

Seven Nation Army is returning to an Oaklawn surface over which he is 3 for 9. Through the years in Hot Springs, he’s also regularly eyeballed a stablemate who is now a champion.

“He’s spent a lot of his life working with Whitmore,” said Moquett.

Flagstaff ran second to Whitmore when last seen at Oaklawn, in the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap in April. He is making his first start since September in the King Cotton. Florent Geroux has the mount from post 3 for trainer John Sadler.

Mr. Jagermeister is cutting back to one turn and returning to dirt following a turf race at 7 1/2 furlongs at Canterbury. He’s a multiple stakes winner sprinting on the main track and last year was second to Whitmore in the Hot Springs Stakes. Rocco Bowen has the mount for trainer Valorie Lund.

The opening act for the King Cotton is a money allowance that carries a claiming option of $40,000. The chief players in the seventh race are Grade 2 winner Green Light Go and the multiple Grade 1-placed Shoplifted.