Track-record holder Hollis back at favorite distance
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Hollis gained a measure of notoriety in December, when he won an Oaklawn Park allowance in track-record time and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 109.
But around his barn, he’s always been famous.
“We call him Holli-wood,” said trainer John Ortiz.
Hollis should be the public’s choice Sunday when he starts in the featured eighth race, a conditioned allowance for 4-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs. It’s the same distance over which Hollis set his track record Dec. 10, winning in 1:02.17.
The field of seven includes six stakes winners: Hollis, County Final, Background, Chipofftheoldblock, Mojo Man, and Boldor.
Hollis is moving back into the overnight ranks after finishing fifth in the $150,000 King Cotton on Jan. 29 at Oaklawn. It was his first start since the track-record performance.
“We’re back to where he likes to be – his favorite distance,” said Ortiz. “We’re throwing out the last race. He drew the one-hole and he doesn’t really like being down there. And that day the track was a little dry and cuppy with the freezing temperatures we had the week before.”
Hollis will break from post 7 on Sunday. Ricardo Santana Jr. was aboard for the track-record win and has the mount again for WSS Racing and 4 G Racing.
“This horse is just all gas, all go,” Ortiz said. “It’s like sitting on a little rocket ship. You can’t ‘whoa’ him. If he’s going forward, you’ve got to keep going forward.”
The day Hollis set the track record he stormed home by 4 1/2 lengths over the comebacking stakes winner Nashville. Mr. Jagermeister, a multiple stakes winner who finished third, came back in his next start to account for a no-conditions allowance at Tampa Bay Downs with a Beyer Speed Figure of 100.
Background is making his first start since winning the Grade 3 Longacres Mile in August at Emerald Downs. Rocco Bowen has the mount for trainer Mike Puhich.
County Final is a leading contender off his runner-up finish to Mucho in an allowance sprint in December at Oaklawn. Mucho has since run second in the track’s $150,000 Fifth Season. Joel Rosario has the mount on County Final from post 2.
Steve Asmussen, who trains County Final, has another interesting sprinter on the card. He sends out Macron in the seventh race, a two-other-than allowance over six furlongs. The horse has paired up the best Beyer Speed Figures of his career, both at Oaklawn in his first races since June.
“With his time off he was gelded,” Asmussen said. “He’s come back considerably more focused – and faster.”
Rosario has the mount from post 2.
Macron was second by three-quarters of a length in his comeback allowance Jan. 1, then captured another allowance in his most recent start Jan. 30. He covered six furlongs in a quick 1:09.45.