Weast Hill gets two-turn test in Arkansas Breeders' Stakes
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Weast Hill will be putting his perfect Oaklawn Park record on the line Friday when he makes his two-turn debut in the $100,000 Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes. The horse, who is 4 for 4 over the local strip, will break from post 10 in a field that also includes defending race winner Trace Creek and Belmont Park winner Indygo Bo.
The Arkansas Breeders’ will be run over 1 1/16 miles and is restricted to 3-year-olds and up bred in Arkansas. The race is the first of three statebred stakes to be run at Oaklawn through Sunday.
Weast Hill established himself as the top Arkansas-bred sprinter on the grounds Feb. 28, when he won the $100,000 Nodouble Stakes. The score came on the heels of a win in an optional $40,000 claiming sprint against open company, his first start since July. Trainer Brad Cox is hopeful that Weast Hill will make a successful transition to two turns Friday, in part because he is a son of Remsen Stakes winner Rockport Harbor.
“He puts a lot into his gallops,” Cox said. “He has a lot of energy at the end of his gallops. He does have some route pedigree, and he’s got a lot of leg underneath him. It’s definitely possible he’ll go long.”
Arkansas Breeders’ (Race 8)
KEY CONTENDERS
Weast Hill, by Rockport Harbor
Last 3 Beyers: 91-85-65
◗ He has compiled his perfect Oaklawn record over the last two seasons. In addition to his pair of victories at this meet, Weast Hill won his career debut in a maiden special weight for Arkansas-breds in February 2015, then captured the $75,000 Rainbow Stakes, also for statebreds, last March.
◗ Weast Hill, who races for his breeder, Starsky Weast, will be ridden by Joe Rocco Jr. The horse figures to be prominent from the start while coming off a wire-to-wire sprint win in the Nodouble.
“I think he’s going to break and naturally be forwardly placed,” Cox said. “I don’t think there’s anything Joe Rocco will be able to do otherwise. He’ll obviously be up in the race.”
◗ Weast Hill, 4, has won five of seven career starts and $219,710.
Trace Creek, by Harperstown
Last 3 Beyers: 79-77-83
◗ He will be moving back into the Arkansas-bred ranks off a sixth-place finish in an allowance March 13 at Oaklawn, his start since July.
◗ Trace Creek was a half-length winner of last year’s Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes.
◗ Chris Landeros has the mount for Shortleaf Stable and trainer Will Van Meter.