Derby winner's brother, two stakes in spotlight

A $79,000 entry-level allowance, though upstaged on the card by two six-figure stakes, is sure to draw significant attention today at Oaklawn Park.

Exclamation Point, a half-brother to 2017 Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire, assures that in the second start of his career. The Concord Point colt, trained by Brad Cox, is 9-5 program favorite in a one-mile race for 3-year-olds including two-time meet winner Articulator and the undefeated Colour Guard.

Later on the nine-race card are the $100,000 Nodouble Breeders, a sprint stake for Arkansas-bred 3-year-olds and up in which Racer defends the title, and the $125,000 Spring Fever, with last-out American Beauty winner Swing and Sway among the older fillies and mares going 5 1/2 furlongs.

This could be a day to remember for Hot Springs horse owner Staton Flurry, whose Five O One, last year's Rainbow winner, seeks his second victory of the meeting in the Nodouble Breeders'. Flurry also is co-owner of Exclamation Point, buying half-interest in the colt last week from owner-breeders Steven and Brandi Nicholson.

"I had been wanting to buy an interest in a 3-year-old," Flurry said this week, "and I bought this one in part to make sure he stayed with (trainer) Brad Cox. I couldn't get 51 percent, which I wanted, but the owners did say he would stay with Brad."

Exclamation Point broke his maiden at first asking going six furlongs Feb. 3, shortly after the chestnut colt was named. He, like Classic Empire (by Pioneerof the Nile), was produced by the Cat Thief mare Sambuca Classica, staying with the Nicholsons after the couple sold subsequent juvenile champion Classic Empire to Tulsa, Okla., oilman John Oxley. Trained by Mark Casse, Classic Empire won three Grade 1 stakes, the Arkansas Derby and Breeders' Cup Juvenile included, and finished a close second in the Preakness, the last start of his career.

Exclamation Point has worked twice between races, his half-mile breeze in 47 2-5 seconds over a muddy surface fastest of 99 working the distance Monday. He worked with 4-year-old stablemate Bold Prophet, entered in today's ninth race, a first-level allowance for older horses, after a last-out maiden victory Jan. 26.

Fernando De La Cruz keeps the mount for Cox, Oaklawn's leading trainer (17-15 over Steve Asmussen) starting the racing week.

"We'll see how the race plays out," Cox said. "I would like to see him sit off horses. I kind of thought that may happen the first time, but it didn't. We're just looking for a good effort."

Articulator, by Quality Road, keeps Gary Stevens up in his first two-turn race for trainer Billy Gowan. Inge has been close to the pace in both Oaklawn starts for trainer Norman McKnight, who claimed the Canadian-bred colt for $40,000 in December. David Cohen switches to Inge after riding last-out winner Colour Guard for trainer Dane Kobiskie.

Cox also has the program favorite in the Spring Fever with Golden Mischief at 7-2. The 4-year-old daughter of Into Mischief makes her first start for Juddmonte Farms and with Cox after being purchased for $475,000 at a Kentucky sale last fall. Golden Mischief soon is expected to join Juddmonte's broodmare band, including Grade 1 winner Paulassilverlining, entertaining stallions such as champion and career earnings leader Arrogate.

"I think it's one of those things where we'll just kind of see how she starts the year out and that will kind of determine whether we carry on racing or she's off to the broodmare shed," Cox said.

When trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Golden Mischief was elevated to first in Oaklawn's $150,000 Purple Martin last year following the race-related disqualification of Our Majesty going six furlongs. She has been off since winning Remington Park's $50,000 Flashy Lady in September.

"She's trained extremely well," Cox said. "We're excited about her. Just kind of moving forward. I thought this might be a good place to get her started."

Trainer Ron Moquett brings back Swing and Sway after the 4-year-old filly's almost eight-length romp in the American Beauty at six furlongs. Though winning the American Beauty on the lead, Swing and Sway (by Maclean's Music) also can stalk the pace, which may be her ticket in the Spring Fever against several other speed types.

"Let's see how the race shakes out," Moquett said. "I've got confidence in the rider (David Cabrera) and the horse, so I'm just going to lead a pretty horse and see if she can get us where we need to be."

Others in the Spring Fever include 2017 runner-up (at 23-1 odds) Natural Fever and last-out Oaklawn winner Okie Diva. Post time for the Spring Fever, race 8, is 4:38 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m. with first post 1:05 p.m.

Sports on 03/03/2018

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