Skippylongstocking will carry top weight in bid for Oaklawn Handicap repeat
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Skippylongstocking will start as the 123-pound highweight Saturday when he attempts to win the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap for the second year in a row. He is part of a field of eight for the 1 1/8-mile race and will start from post 4.
Skippylongstocking won last year’s Oaklawn Handicap off a win in the Grade 3 Challenger at Tampa Bay Downs, and he enters this season’s renewal in the same manner. Skippylongstocking won the Challenger in his most recent start March 8, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 104, the best last-race number in the Oaklawn Handicap.
The race highlights a 12-race program that has a special first post of 12:20 p.m. Central. There are two other stakes on the card, both for 3-year-olds. The $200,000 Bathhouse Row rewards its winner with a berth into the Preakness, while fillies are spotlighted in the $200,000 Valley of the Vapors.
Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride Skippylongstocking for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who also entered Alexander Helios. Joseph long has had both horses pointed to the Oaklawn Handicap. Alexander Helios won the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn with a Beyer of 102 in his last start Feb. 23. Luis Saez has the mount from post 5.
The complete field from the rail with riders and weights is Go West Go, Tyler Bacon, 112; Disarm, Keith Asmussen, 119; First Mission, Flavien Prat, 121; Skippylongstocking, Ortiz, 123; Alexander Helios, Saez, 120; Tarantino, Edwin Maldonado, 118; Banishing, Ricardo Santana Jr., 122; and Red Route One, Erik Asmussen, 120.
The Oaklawn Handicap is the 11th race and has a scheduled post of 6:10 p.m. Central.
◗ Oaklawn has added a Thursday card, April 24, as a makeup date. The races will be drawn April 17.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.