Venue: Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Scheduled Post Time: 4:39 p.m. CT (5:39 p.m. ET)
Distance/Surface: 6 furlongs on the main dirt track
Purse: $135,000 (guaranteed; $85,050 to winner)
Race Conditions: For fillies and mares 4 years old and upward that have never won a sweepstakes. Weights: 124 lbs.; non-winners of $60,000 in 2026 allowed 3 lbs.; $50,000 in 2026 allowed 5 lbs. High weights preferred. No Lasix restrictions noted beyond standard HISA rules. Expected Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy to mostly cloudy with a 55-60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon (possible severe storms with gusty winds and small hail). High temperature near 82-85°F, humid, with south winds 5-15 mph. The main dirt track is currently listed as fast (as of Friday’s late changes and typical Oaklawn spring conditions), but any significant rain could turn it sloppy or sealed. Oaklawn’s dirt has been speed-favoring this meet, with inside posts and early pace holding up well in sprints unless the track dries out late. Expect a testing surface if precipitation hits before post time.
Field (Post Position – Horse – Morning Line Odds):
Dream Concert – 9/2
R Pretty Kitty – 7/2
Pistol – 6/1
Spring Dancer – 5/1
Anakarina – 5/2
Ervadean – 3/1
(No scratches reported; compact 6-horse field with no also-eligibles or main-track-only contingencies needed on dirt.)
Full Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer (in post-position order):
Post 1 – Dream Concert (Jess’s Dream – Spanish Concert, by Concerto, 6YO mare, 119 lbs)
Jockey: Ramon A. Vazquez (solid local rider with good timing on speed types)
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr. (consistent stakes performer at Oaklawn; strong with older mares)
Recent Finishes: Competitive in recent allowance/optional claiming company (last-out figure around 102).
Analysis: Tactical speed from the rail makes her dangerous on a fast or drying track. Stall excels with horses that can sit mid-pack or press early. Vazquez knows Oaklawn’s bias well. Live at square odds if she gets a clean trip inside, but the rail can be tricky in a sprint if rain affects the surface. Respectable underneath play in exotics.
Post 2 – R Pretty Kitty (Instilled Regard – Starship Kitty, by Tale of the Cat, 4YO filly, 124 lbs)
Jockey: Abel Cedillo (aggressive rider who excels with forwardly placed fillies)
Trainer: Steve Manley (local barn that fires at a high percentage with improving 3- and 4-year-olds)
Recent Finishes: Strong recent stakes/allowance placings with a 110 figure; consistent performer this meet.
Analysis: Drop-in-class type with tactical speed and a solid closing kick. Manley has this filly sharp, and Cedillo will look to stalk or press from post 2. Excellent pedigree for dirt sprints and has shown she handles Oaklawn’s surface. Major contender and live upset threat if the favorites overbet.
Post 3 – Pistol (Gun Runner – Wild Bout Tiffany, by Wildcat Heir, 7YO mare, 119 lbs)
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano (veteran with excellent sprint timing and rail-to-mid trips)
Trainer: Thomas L. Van Berg (patient conditioner who does well with older hard-knockers)
Recent Finishes: Competitive but winless in recent stakes tries (last-out figure 83).
Analysis: Veteran with experience but needs a perfect setup. Van Berg often has these types peak for stakes engagements. Bejarano can save ground from post 3. Best as a underneath exotic filler rather than win candidate unless pace collapses.
Post 4 – Spring Dancer (The Big Beast – Spring Included, by Include, 4YO filly, 124 lbs)
Jockey: Francisco Arrieta (forward-riding specialist who wins frequently at Oaklawn)
Trainer: Randy L. Morse (Oaklawn fixture; excellent with Florida-bred speed types)
Recent Finishes: Won 3 of last 4 (including a game stretch rally most recently); consistent high figures around 109.
Analysis: Morse and Arrieta team is always dangerous here. Spring Dancer has shown versatility (can lead or rally) and heart in tight spots. Forwardly placed with early speed makes her a major player on any surface. Strong exotic must-use and live win threat at a square price.
Post 5 – Anakarina (Vekoma – Tacit Approval, by Tapit, 4YO filly, 119 lbs)
Jockey: Erik Asmussen (rising young rider in the family barn; aggressive on speed)
Trainer: Dallas Stewart (master of stakes fillies; sharp with improving 4-year-olds)
Recent Finishes: Dominated a sloppy/sealed allowance here on April 4; big early-speed figure.
Analysis: The morning-line co-favorite with explosive gate speed. Stewart has her rolling, and the Vekoma pedigree screams dirt sprint. Asmussen will likely send from post 5 to control the pace. Big danger if the track stays fast or turns sloppy (she loved the wet last out). Top selection on speed figures and recent dominance.
Post 6 – Ervadean (Connect – Cora Mesa, by Sky Mesa, 6YO mare, 124 lbs)
Jockey: Cristian A. Torres (retaining rider; excellent with stalk-and-pounce style)
Trainer: Dallas Stewart (double-edged with the top two; red-hot barn this meet)
Recent Finishes: Win and place in two starts this meet; game allowance victory on March 12.
Analysis: Hard-knocking veteran with a terrific outside draw. Stewart has her at peak form with a nice turn of foot and gate presence. Torres knows exactly how to ride her (stalk mid-pack, then pounce). The clear class horse on recent form and the one to beat in a compact field. Strong favorite play and exacta anchor.
Key Contenders Summary & Wagering Angles: Dallas Stewart sends the top two (Anakarina and Ervadean), giving him a massive edge in a small field. Speed from inside (Dream Concert, R Pretty Kitty, Anakarina) should set an honest pace, favoring stalkers like Ervadean and Spring Dancer. Look for value in the 5-6 exacta box with Spring Dancer and R Pretty Kitty underneath. Pace should be lively, suiting mid-pack closers if the track remains fast.
