Stars of past will need best in 2017 debut

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Suddenbreakingnews and Shotgun Kowboy have much in common heading into Friday’s seventh race at Oaklawn Park. Both horses are Grade 3 winners and bring name recognition into the optional $50,000 claiming route. Each has amassed approximately $750,000 in earnings. And both have not started since August and will be giving up recency to a quality group of opponents.

The feature Friday will be run over 1 1/16 miles. A field of eight older horses has been assembled, including stakes winners Financial Modeling, Abraham, and Hillbilly Royalty, as well as the Grade 2-placed For Greater Glory.

“We’re coming off a stakes into an allowance that looks like a stakes,” said Brad Cox, trainer of Financial Modeling. “It’s a solid, solid race.”

“Every one of them is capable of winning,” said C.R. Trout, trainer of Shotgun Kowboy.

KEY CONTENDERS

Suddenbreakingnews, by Mineshaft

(Last 3 Beyers: 85-88-96)

◗ He was one of the stars of the local 3-year-old program last year, when he won the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest, ran second in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby, then went on to finish a fast-closing fifth in the Kentucky Derby.

◗ Suddenbreakingnews will be making his first start since Aug. 6, when he closed for fifth in the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby. Following the race he was gelded, having two undescended testicles removed at a clinic in Kentucky. Suddenbreakingnews has since turned in some strong local works for his first start against older horses.

“I’m happy with the way he’s doing,” trainer Donnie Von Hemel said. “Three to four is always a pretty big step, and I think he’ll make that step. He has to go prove it on the racetrack.”

◗ Luis Quinonez has the mount.

Shotgun Kowboy, by Kodiak Kowboy

(Last 3 Beyers: 87-93-93)

◗ The winner of the 2015 running of the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, he is making his first start since finishing second in an Aug. 13 turf allowance at Remington Park. The winner, Ibaka, and the third-place finisher, Golden But Stormy, both came back to win optional-claiming races.

◗ Shotgun Kowboy will be ridden by Alex Birzer.

“He’s just training great,” Trout said. “ I got a lot in him in Oklahoma before we came here – several good works in him there – and haven’t rushed him. He’s had a lot of long gallops. I’m really pleased with where he’s at.”

Financial Modeling, by Street Sense

(Last 3 Beyers: 92-87-66)

◗ He owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 92 for his third-place finish in the $75,000 Tenacious Handicap on Dec. 17 at Fair Grounds. He set the pace to the late stages in that race and could be prominent Friday under Joe Rocco Jr.

“We’ll see how the pace scenario plays out,” Cox said. “It looks like there’s horses in there with speed, and this horse likes to be close himself. We’ll leave it up to Rocco.”