Weast Hill can keep it going for red-hot Cox

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Brad Cox has been on a roll the past few weeks, with stakes wins from Arkansas to Louisiana to Florida. He will attempt to keep that momentum going on Sunday, when Weast Hill starts as the probable favorite in the $100,000 Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

The Nodouble, which will be run over six furlongs, is for 3-year-olds and up bred in Arkansas. A field of eight has signed on, including We Be Stormin, who won the race last year at 3, and Indygo Bo, who has stakes experience at Turfway and Woodbine.

But the focus will be on Weast Hill, who has won all three of his starts at Oaklawn dating back to last year in a maiden special weight race and the $75,000 Rainbow. He is looking to add to Cox’s recent string of stakes winners, which includes Call Pat in the Grade 3 Bayakoa on Feb. 14 at Oaklawn and Chocolate Ride, Cash Control, and Cash Back, who won stakes at Fair Grounds or Gulfstream on Feb. 20.

“We’ve had a good last two weeks,” said Cox, who has eight stakes wins in 2016.

Nodouble Breeders’ (race 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Weast Hill, by Rockport Harbor

Last 3 Beyers: 85-65-81

◗ He ran his Oaklawn record to 3 for 3 last out when he rolled by 3 1/4 lengths in an optional $40,000 claiming race Jan. 29. He covered six furlongs in 1:10.06 in his first start since July 7.

“We expected him to run well,” Cox said. “I thought we were ready to run, and he ran a little better than expected, to be honest. I didn’t feel like the screws were completely tight on him going into the race, but he sure ran like they were.”

◗ Weast Hill has come back and worked three times, among his moves a bullet five-eighths in 1:00.20 on Feb. 15 over a “good” track at Oaklawn. The drill pleased Cox, who trains the gelding for breeder Starsky Weast.

“It was fantastic,” Cox said. “It was a really great work. He galloped out awesome.”

◗ Weast Hill will break from post 7 under Joe Rocco Jr.

“He likes to be close,” Cox said. “It looks like him and Bumpy Cat will kind of be duking it out. We’re in the 7 hole. Bumpy Cat’s in the 8 hole. We’ll see what happens.”

Bumpy Cat, by Portobello Road

Last 3 Beyers: 88-68-70

◗ He also comes off a powerful front-running win at Oaklawn, taking an allowance for Arkansas-breds by 6 1/4 lengths. Bumpy Cat covered six furlongs in 1:09.90.

◗ Julio Felix has the mount for owners John and Libbie Thiel and trainer Ingrid Mason.