Weast Hill continues local dominance in Nodouble

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Weast Hill ran his Oaklawn Park record to 4 for 4 on Sunday, when he drove to a 1 1/4-length win over Bumpy Cat in the $100,000 Nodouble Breeders' Stakes. It was another two lengths back in third to We Be Stormin.

The Nodouble was a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up bred in Arkansas.

Weast Hill ($3.20) broke on top and proceeded to take the field through an opening quarter in 22.23 seconds. Bumpy Cat moved up to pressure the leader through a half-mile in 45.52 while the pair continued on together into the stretch. Weast Hill then began to move away from his pace rival, and went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:10.10.

Joe Rocco Jr. was aboard for trainer Brad Cox, who was picking up his fifth stakes win since Feb. 14, with some of his other winners coming at Fair Grounds and Gulfstream.

Cox said Weast Hill, a son of Rockport Harbor, could make the move to two turns for the first time later this meet, for the $100,000 Arkansas Breeders’ at 1 1/16 miles April 1.

“The question is going to be, ‘Can he go that far?’ ” said Cox.

Weast Hill earned $60,000 for his win Sunday. He has now won 5 of 7 starts and $219,710. He races for his breeder, Starsky Weast.