Speed galore in Spring Fever

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Show me the speed!

There’s no shortage of it Saturday in the $125,000 Spring Fever at Oaklawn Park.

The field of six boasts five confirmed front-runners – and all are stakes winners: Amy’s Challenge, Break Even, Midnight Fantasy, Mt. Brave, and Artistic Diva. The final entrant, What a Fox, makes her stakes debut after taking back-to-back allowances from off the pace at Oaklawn.

The Spring Fever, for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs, is the highlight of a 10-race program. The card also includes an allowance sprint for fillies and mares worth $94,000 due to an increase in overnight purses that starts Saturday.

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Spring Fever (race 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Amy’s Challenge, by Artie Schiller

Last 3 Beyers: 78-88-93

◗ She won this race a year ago by more than eight lengths with a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 99. Alex Canchari, who was aboard, has the mount again for Novogratz Racing Stables and trainer Mac Robertson.

◗ The start Saturday marks her second out since May, when she ran third in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs. In her return to action Feb. 1, she was fourth in the $125,000 American Beauty at Oaklawn.

◗ Amy’s Challenge set the pace after breaking from post 2 last out. She gets post 4 on Saturday and might get a tracking trip, as she’s situated outside most of the opposing speed. She’s shortening up from the six-furlong American Beauty.

◗ Amy’s Challenge is a four-time stakes winner who is 3 for 6 at Oaklawn.

Break Even, by Country Day

Last 3 Beyers: 89-95-99

◗ She’s making her first start since August, when she ran second in the Grade 2 Prioress at Saratoga. It was the first loss for the filly, who boasts a 6-for-7 record that includes a Grade 2 victory in the Eight Belles last year at Churchill Downs.

◗ Break Even is quite quick and often finds herself clear by the opening quarter of her races. As such, there’s a chance she could prove to be the dominant speed Saturday. Break Even also is proven at Oaklawn, having won last year’s $150,000 Purple Martin Stakes.

◗ Joe Talamo has the mount from post 3 for Klein Racing and trainer Brad Cox.

What a Fox, by Bernardini

Last 3 Beyers: 79-88-56

◗ She’s in sharp form, having won a pair of allowances this meet, but what might be more important is she rallied from off the pace in those races. With so much speed breaking to her inside, she could get a good setup Saturday.

◗ What a Fox drew post 6, with regular rider Orlando Mojica up for Lawrence Roman and trainer Robertino Diodoro.