Watch out for Five O One in Rainbow Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Five O One was bred to be a winner in central Arkansas.

The horse, whose name reflects the area code that serves Oaklawn, was a standout debut winner at the track in February and figures to start as the favorite Friday in the $100,000 Rainbow Stakes. The six-furlong race is restricted to 3-year-olds bred in Arkansas.

The Rainbow is the first of three statebred stakes to be decided over the next week here. They complement Friday night’s annual awards banquet put on by the Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Horsemen’s Association. During the event, the multiple stakes winner Weast Hill will be honored as the Arkansas-bred of the Year for 2016.

Rainbow Stakes, Race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Five O One, by Drosselmeyer

Beyer: 75

◗ Five O One, a stablemate of Weast Hill, is from a female family that gets winners. He has half-siblings with 17, 14, and 10 career wins. Five O One is off to a good start himself, having dueled for a half-length victory in a maiden special weight for Arkansas-breds on Feb. 3.

“He had fight,” said trainer Brad Cox. “He fought on.”

◗ Five O One has not raced since, simply because things did not swing his way at the entry box in advance of the Rainbow.

“We looked to run him back in an allowance,” Cox said. “He was excluded from an allowance three weeks ago. The intent was not to run one time and sit on the bench for close to two months. [But] he put in a really good gate work two weekends ago. I was real pleased with his gate work. I feel good about the fitness.”

Five O One worked five furlongs from the gate in 59.80 seconds, the second-fastest of 39 moves at the distance March 18.

“We’re excited about him,” said Cox. “I think he’s going to run well.”

◗ Five O One was bred by Bill McDowell and Dr. K.K. Jayaraman. McDowell Farm will be honored as Arkansas’s leading breeder for 2016.

◗ Five O One will break from post 3 under Ricardo Santana Jr.

J.E.’s Handmedown, by Storm and a Half

Last 2 Beyers: 77-56

◗ He owns the field’s best Beyer Speed Figure, a 77, for his 11-length romp over $25,000 maiden-claiming rivals bred in Arkansas. The six-furlong race was run Feb. 20, and he covered the distance in a rapid 1:10.20.

◗ David Whited bred, owns, and trains J.E.’s Handmedown.