Sprinting suits Spring Included best

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Spring Included has found a home racing around one turn and on Wednesday should go favored to lock up her second straight stakes win of the Oaklawn meet in the $100,000 Carousel. The six-furlong sprint drew nine fillies and mares, but entrant Sugar Shock is likely to scratch in favor of a start in the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap, trainer Doug Anderson said Monday.

The Carousel continues the $3.3 million Racing Festival of the South, a weeklong run of major stakes at Oaklawn. The series includes the Apple Blossom on Friday, and closes with the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on Saturday.

Spring Included has been in the zone since she returned to sprinting on a regular basis this meet at Oaklawn. She finished second by a half-length in the $100,000 American Beauty in January, then captured the $100,000 Spring Fever with a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 91 in February.

“We kept trying to stretch her out because of her breeding, and she tried, but I think she’s a better sprinter,” said Steve Hobby, who trains Spring Included.

Carousel (Race 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Spring Included (Last 3 Beyers: 91-79-62)

She dueled and prevailed last out in the Spring Fever, a five and a half furlong race Feb. 21. Spring Included could show the way again, but draws post 9, which might give jockey Joe Rocco Jr. options.

“I think it’s good,” Hobby said of the post. “If there’s any other speed it’s inside you, and that’s always a plus.”

Spring Included, a daughter of Include, races for Alex and JoAnn Lieblong.

Street Story (Last 3 Beyers: 70-85-72)

She is returning to dirt after a turf start, and her four career wins have come on the main track, including the Grade 3 Victory Ride last June at Belmont Park. Street Story, who has been racing at Fair Grounds, won two stakes at Oaklawn last year

Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount for Whispering Oaks Farm and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Sugar Shock (Last 3 Beyers: 53-80-89)

She closed with a rush to win the American Beauty over Spring Included, then did not care for the wet track last out when fourth in an Oaklawn allowance March 20.

“She absolutely hated it,” Anderson said of the footing.

Anderson said Sugar Shock was to be entered Tuesday in the Apple Blossom.

“We’ll make up our mind Tuesday,” he said. “We’re leaning toward the Apple Blossom. We sure would like to try to get a Grade 1 win on her.”

Channing Hill has the mount Wednesday and will be named to ride in the Apple Blossom, said Anderson.