Tenfold, Quip square off in Oaklawn Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Tenfold and Quip, who are graduates of last year’s Arkansas Derby, return to Oaklawn Park on Saturday for the meet’s richest offering for older horses. The pair are part of a nine-horse field for the Grade 2, $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap.

The Oaklawn Handicap again is sharing a card with the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby and Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap as part of the annual Racing Festival of the South, which comprises six stakes being run from Friday-Sunday.

The Oaklawn Handicap will be run at the same 1 1/8-mile distance as the Arkansas Derby. The field Saturday also includes Grade 2 winner Giant Expectations, Grade 3 winners Rated R Superstar, Lone Sailor, and Remembering Rita, and 2017 Kentucky Derby runner-up Lookin At Lee.

Oaklawn has 12 races in all Saturday, and a special first post of 12:30 p.m. Central. The forecast calls for a high of 56 degrees and an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Tenfold, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 92-87-93

◗ The winner of last year’s Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga, he and Giant Expectations will start as the 117-pound highweights in the Oaklawn Handicap.

“His season highlight was winning the Jim Dandy and his third in the Preakness was a solid run,” said trainer Steve Asmussen of Tenfold’s 2018 season. “I think he’s a horse with a tremendous amount of potential and we expect to have a very strong year.”

◗ Tenfold, who was a close fifth in last year’s Arkansas Derby won by Magnum Moon, is making his second start of the season Saturday. He was fourth by three-quarters of a length in an optional $80,000 claiming race March 5 at Fair Grounds.

“I thought he needed it and he should move forward second race off the bench,” Asmussen said. “He’s trained really well.”

◗ Tenfold has turned in a pair of sharp five-furlong works since the start, including a move in 1:00.60 at Oaklawn on April 1.

◗ Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from the rail for owner and breeder Winchell Thoroughbreds.

Quip, by Distorted Humor
Last 3 Beyers: 94-33-92

◗ Last year’s Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby winner, he traveled to Oaklawn after that victory and was second in the Arkansas Derby.

◗ Quip opened his 4-year-old season Feb. 23 at Gulfstream Park, finishing third in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope, won by Prince Lucky. Following the race, Prince Lucky returned to capture the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile. Quip, meanwhile, has been working straight along at Payson Park in Florida. He arrived at Oaklawn on Wednesday.

◗ Jose Ortiz has the mount from post 7 for trainer Rodolphe Brisset.

Rated R Superstar, by Kodiak Kowboy
Last 3 Beyers: 93-94-80

◗ He was up for a head win in the $350,000 Essex over 1 1/16 miles last month at Oaklawn. The start followed his third-place finish in the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap on Feb. 18 in Hot Springs.

“He’s doing great,” said trainer Cipriano Contreras. “He came out of the race really well. He likes this track. He seems to always run good over this track.”

◗ Contreras said the move to 1 1/8 miles should suit Rated R Superstar. He won at the distance last year at Keeneland in the Grade 3 Ben Ali.

◗ Walter De La Cruz has the mount from post 9.

Giant Expectations, by Frost Giant
Last 3 Beyers: 92-96-85

◗ He can be closer to the pace than he found himself last time, when he missed the break in the Essex.

◗ Joel Rosario has the mount for trainer Peter Eurton.