Shanghai Tariff the X factor in Spring Fever Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The $100,000 Spring Fever on Saturday at Oaklawn Park looks like an easy read: Amy’s Challenge is the one to beat, and Vertical Oak is the one to fear.

However, there’s a wildcard in the mix in Shanghai Tariff.

Shanghai Tariff is making her stakes debut after winning back-to-back allowances at this meet. She is part of an eight-horse field for the Spring Fever, a 5 1/2-furlong race for fillies and mares. Others set to start include stakes winners Swing and Sway, Proper Discretion, and Sister Nation, who is cross-entered in an allowance for Sunday.

Shanghai Tariff could start as the third choice behind Amy’s Challenge, who comes off a smashing win in the $100,000 American Beauty last month at Oaklawn, and Vertical Oak, a Grade 2 winner looking for her first victory at Oaklawn.

Spring Fever (Race 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Shanghai Tariff, by Shanghai Bobby
Last 3 Beyers: 90-87-72

◗ She’s been on fire at this meet. She won her 4-year-old debut Jan. 26 and her second race back Feb. 14, with both races timed in under 1:10 for six furlongs.

“She was pretty impressive last time,” said trainer Jimmy DiVito. “She drew away that day.

“She really likes it at Oaklawn. She likes the racetrack a lot.”

◗ DiVito, who is 6 for 12 at this meet, noted that Shanghai Tariff has registered all four of her wins over the local surface, dating to a 12 1/2-length maiden score in February 2018.

◗ Shanghai Tariff has won both of her races at this meet wire to wire and will face her most significant pace rival to date in Amy’s Challenge. Shanghai Tariff will break to that one’s immediate inside from post 4 and will be ridden by Fernando De La Cruz.

“He’ll have to play off the break,” said DiVito.

“I think she’d rate in second, third, something like that.”

◗ Shanghai Tariff races for Doubledown Stables.

Amy’s Challenge, by Artie Schiller
Last 3 Beyers: 96-74-81

◗ She could be the dominant speed here after setting fractions of 21.43 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.48 for the half-mile in the American Beauty. She went on to win the six-furlong race by 5 3/4 lengths in 1:09.32.

◗ Amy’s Challenge won her career debut by 16 1/2 lengths going 5 1/2 furlongs in August 2017. She has since won three stakes, all for Novogratz Racing Stables and trainer Mac Robertson.

◗ Alex Canchari has the mount from post 5.

Vertical Oak, by Giant Oak
Last 3 Beyers: 60-95-92

◗ She drew post 8 and might get an ideal tracking trip off Amy’s Challenge and Shanghai Tariff. Ramon Vazquez has the mount for owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison and trainer Steve Asmussen.