Versatility may aid Swing and Sway in Spring Fever

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Swing and Sway wired the field in a stakes in January, but she’s not one-dimensional, and her versatility could serve her well as she takes on 10 others Saturday in the $125,000 Spring Fever at Oaklawn Park.

The Spring Fever, a 5 1/2-furlong race for fillies and mares, shares a card with the $100,000 Nodouble for Arkansas-breds.

The Spring Fever cast is deep and includes stakes winners Okie Diva, Thoughtless, Natural Wonder, Marquee Miss, Chanteline, and My Miss Chiff. Swing and Sway defeated some of those last out, winning the $125,000 American Beauty by 7 1/4 lengths on Jan. 27 at Oaklawn. She earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 85.

“She broke on flyer,” said trainer Ron Moquett. “She doesn’t have to have the lead. She had it so easy that day, so I think the jockey just went with it.

“I think her strongest part is her punch down the lane. So, if we get a good break we’ll go on with it, and if not, we’ll just stalk.”

David Cabrera was aboard last out and again has the mount from post 9. Swing and Sway races for Westrock Stables. She is a New York-bred daughter of Maclean’s Music and a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Sticksstatelydude.

“She’s very consistent and she’s got a lot of ability, like Sticksstatelydude,” Moquett said. “I think she’s just now putting it together. She’s always been fast. Now, she’s starting to mature and like her job.”

Golden Mischief is making her first start since Sept. 24, when she won the $50,000 Flashy Lady at Remington Park. The race was Golden Mischief’s first against older rivals and she covered six furlongs in a blazing 1:08.53. It was the fourth stakes win for Golden Mischief. She was later sold at auction, and Saturday will mark her first start for Juddmonte Farms and trainer Brad Cox.

“She’s very, very professional,” Cox said. “She seems to be very straightforward – came from a good camp.”

Cox also trains the potential Nodouble favorite Five O One.

The field for the six-furlong race also includes Weast Hill, who is 7 for 10 at Oaklawn, and Racer, winner of last year’s Nodouble.

Five O One owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, an 85 for a 4 1/4-length win in an Arkansas-bred allowance Jan. 28 at Oaklawn.

“It was a really good race,” Cox said. “He broke from the inside and the jock did a really good job of putting him in position. He finished up very well. It was a very nice race off the layoff, and if he runs back to that race he’ll be very competitive.”

Ricardo Santana Jr. was aboard Five O One for the allowance win and has the mount Saturday from post 7.

A son of Drosselmeyer, Five O One races for Flurry Racing. Last year, he won the $100,000 Rainbow for Arkansas-breds at Oaklawn.

◗ Also on Saturday’s program, Exclamation Point, a half-brother to champion Classic Empire, makes his two-turn debut in race 5. Trainer Brad Cox said that Exclamation Point is one of four he plans to nominate to the Grade 2 Rebel.