Track: Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Race: Apple Blossom Handicap (Grade I) – Race 10
Scheduled post time: 5:47 p.m. CT
Distance / surface: 1 1/16 miles, dirt
Purse: $1,250,000 • Age/Sex: Fillies & mares, 4‑years‑old and up

Venue, weather, and track conditions

Venue location: Oaklawn Park sits in Hot Springs, Arkansas, a tight, speed‑honest dirt oval that rewards

tactical position and sustained finish.

Expected weather: The Oaklawn advance notes “looks like the rain’s going to hold off,” suggesting a dry afternoon. Seasonally, mid‑April in Hot Springs typically runs in the mid‑60s to low‑70s°F, with light breeze and moderate humidity. Under that scenario, the main track is expected to be Fast barring late showers.

Field overview

Nine graded‑stakes winners line up; post positions match program numbers. Morning‑line odds from Oaklawn:

Nitrogen – 9‑5

Majestic Oops – 9‑2

Regaled – 3‑1

Dazzling Move – 15‑1

Om N Joy – 15‑1

Nerazurri – 6‑1

Five G – 10‑1

Claret Beret – 8‑1

Blue Fire – 15‑1

Recent finishes (last start):

Nitrogen – 3rd, Azeri (G2), 112 rating

Majestic Oops – 1st, Azeri (G2), 115

Regaled – 2nd, Azeri (G2), 114

Dazzling Move – 5th, Inside Information (G2), 122

Om N Joy – 3rd, Beholder Mile (G1), 103

Nerazurri – 1st, Trivista Overnight, 111

Five G – 1st, GP AOC, 121

Claret Beret – 1st, Royal Delta (G3), 115

Blue Fire – 1st, Shantel Lanerie Memorial S., 109

Horse‑by‑horse analysis

PP 1 – Nitrogen (9‑5 ML)

Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz • Trainer: Mark E. Casse

Analysis: Reigning champion 3‑year‑old filly of 2025 and Alabama (G1) winner, she returns after a tiring third over a heavy, sloppy track in the Azeri—Casse specifically blamed the surface and has tightened the screws with sharp works since. From the rail with Ortiz, she projects to sit close to the pace and is clearly the class of the field if the track is genuinely fast.

PP 2 – Majestic Oops (9‑2 ML)

Jockey: Francisco Arrieta • Trainer: Dan Ward

Analysis: Fresh off a strong Azeri (G2) win at this trip and track, handling a sloppy surface with authority. She has tactical speed and proved she can see out 1 1/16 miles; if she repeats that effort on a fast track, she’s a major win threat and the most obvious alternative to Nitrogen.

PP 3 – Regaled (3‑1 ML)

Jockey: Joseph D. Ramos • Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman

Analysis: Ran a big second in the Azeri, splitting Majestic Oops and Nitrogen, earning a 114 figure. She’s a tough, consistent mare who can stalk or sit mid‑pack; if the top two regress even slightly, Regaled has the profile to pick up the pieces late.

PP 4 – Dazzling Move (15‑1 ML)

Jockey: Edwin Gonzalez • Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.

Analysis: Comes in off a fifth in the Inside Information (G2) at Gulfstream, but that was a sharp sprint against top company. Stretching back out, she’ll need to prove she can sustain her run around two turns at this level. A price horse who needs a career‑best to win but could spice up exotics if she moves forward on the stretch‑out.

PP 5 – Om N Joy (15‑1 ML)

Jockey: Kent J. Desormeaux • Trainer: Aggie Ordonez

Analysis: Third in the Beholder Mile (G1) last out, she’s been keeping very tough company in California. Desormeaux’s patient style fits her late‑running profile; if the pace gets hotter than expected, she’s a sneaky late‑running exotics candidate.

PP 6 – Nerazurri (6‑1 ML)

Jockey: Cristian A. Torres • Trainer: Mark E. Casse

Analysis: A progressive Protonico filly who just won the Trivista Overnight with a 111 figure and now steps into Grade 1 company. She has tactical speed and is drawn to track the main pace from mid‑gate; as Casse’s “other” filly, she’s a live upset possibility if Nitrogen doesn’t fire her absolute best.

PP 7 – Five G (10‑1 ML)

Jockey: John R. Velazquez • Trainer: George Weaver

Analysis: Comes in off a big Gulfstream allowance win (121 rating) and now takes a class hike into Grade 1 company. Velazquez is a major plus, and her tactical style should give her every chance to work a trip. She’s lightly raced enough to still have upside—interesting value if she handles Oaklawn’s dirt.

PP 8 – Claret Beret (8‑1 ML)

Jockey: Micah Husbands • Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.

Analysis: Royal Delta (G3) winner last out with a 115 figure, she’s already proven at the distance and in graded company. Joseph ships with intent, and her stalking style fits this race shape. She’s a legitimate win candidate at a mid‑range price.

PP 9 – Blue Fire (15‑1 ML)

Jockey: Florent Geroux • Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen

Analysis: Enters off a stakes win in the Shantel Lanerie Memorial with a 109 figure and now faces the deepest field of her career. Asmussen and Geroux are a high‑quality combo, but she’ll need another step forward to match the Azeri trio and Nitrogen. A fringe upset type and more appealing underneath in trifectas and supers.

Pace and race shape

Likely pace: Majestic Oops (2), Nerazurri (6), Five G (7), possibly Nitrogen (1) if Ortiz is aggressive.

Stalkers: Regaled (3), Claret Beret (8), Blue Fire (9).

Closers: Om N Joy (5), Dazzling Move (4).

A solid but not suicidal pace is likely. That should favor tactical stalkers with class—notably Nitrogen, Majestic Oops, Regaled, and Claret Beret—while still leaving a window for a closer like Om N Joy if the leaders overdo it.

Projected outcome

Nitrogen (PP1) – Proven Grade 1 class, better surface, sharper works.

Majestic Oops (PP2) – Azeri winner, perfect local prep, tactical speed.

Regaled (PP3) – Reliable, fits the race shape, always in the fight.

Claret Beret (PP8) – Improving graded winner with the right running style.

Race: Grade III Count Fleet Sprint Handicap
Track: Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Scheduled Post Time: 4:36 p.m. CT
Distance/Surface: 6 furlongs, dirt
Purse: $500,000 • Age/Sex: 4‑year‑olds and up

Venue, weather, and track conditions

Oaklawn Park sits in Hot Springs, Arkansas, a speed‑friendly dirt oval that rewards tactical sprinters who can finish.

Expected weather (seasonal pattern):

Temperature: mid‑60s to low‑70s°F

Conditions: partly cloudy, light breeze, moderate humidity

Track expectation: Fast dirt, barring significant rain

These are climatology‑based expectations for mid‑April in Hot Springs, not an official forecast.

Field overview

Eight older sprinters line up; post positions match program numbers.

PP1 – Maximum Bourbon – 3‑1 ML

PP2 – Tough Catch – 12‑1 ML

PP3 – Booth – 7‑2 ML

PP4 – Mad House – 15‑1 ML

PP5 – Roll On Big Joe – 2‑1 ML (ML favorite)

PP6 – Wendelssohn – 10‑1 ML

PP7 – Tejano Twist – 6‑1 ML

PP8 – Dreaminblue – 8‑1 ML

Recent‑form strings below use Sporting Life’s notation (most recent on the right).

Horse‑by‑horse analysis

PP1 – Maximum Bourbon (3‑1 ML)

Connections: Jockey Ramon A. Vazquez, trainer Philip D’Amato

Recent finishes: 15‑112 – comes in off a sharp win streak after a layoff.

Profile: A 4‑year‑old gelding by Maximum Security, he’s lightly raced but rapidly improving. D’Amato ships with intent, and Vazquez rides Oaklawn extremely well. He has tactical speed to sit just off the pace and pounce—very logical win candidate and a key in verticals.

PP2 – Tough Catch (12‑1 ML)

Connections: Jockey Jose L. Ortiz, trainer Dallas Stewart

Recent finishes: 1/042‑12 – most recently 2nd in the 2026 Whitmore Stakes (G3).

Profile: A Complexity colt who just chased Tejano Twist home in the Whitmore. Stewart’s horses often outrun their odds in graded sprints. From an inside draw with Ortiz, he can secure a stalking trip; needs a slight figure jump, but his last race says he belongs.

PP3 – Booth (7‑2 ML)

Connections: Jockey Erik Asmussen, trainer Steve Asmussen

Recent finishes: 11142‑2 – a string of wins followed by solid graded efforts.

Profile: A 5‑year‑old by Mitole with serious early speed and a strong Oaklawn profile. Asmussen is lethal in this division, and Booth’s form suggests he’s right at Grade 3 level. If he breaks sharply and controls the inside pace, he’s a major threat.

PP4 – Mad House (15‑1 ML)

Connections: Jockey Paco Lopez, trainer David VanWinkle

Recent finishes: 11110‑1 – multiple wins, then a flop in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), then a rebound.

Profile: A Vekoma gelding with a win‑streak profile and one bad line against elite company. Lopez is aggressive and may send from this mid‑gate draw. He’s a volatile type—ceiling is high, but he must prove he can match these on pure speed.

PP5 – Roll On Big Joe (2‑1 ML)

Connections: Jockey Julien Leparoux, trainer Robert B. Hess Jr.

Recent finishes: 15411‑1 – comes in off three straight stakes wins, including the King Cotton at Oaklawn.

Profile: The morning‑line favorite and the “now” horse. A 6‑year‑old Prospective gelding, he’s thriving at Oaklawn and has shown the ability to sit just off hot fractions and finish. If he maintains current form, he’s the most likely winner on paper.

PP6 – Wendelssohn (10‑1 ML)

Connections: Jockey John Velazquez, trainer Chris Hartman

Recent finishes: 131‑434 – mixed results but consistently competitive in stakes.

Profile: A Mendelssohn horse with some tactical speed and Hartman’s sharp sprint program behind him. Velazquez adds class in the saddle. He’s a bit of a “tweener”—good enough to be in the frame, but needs a perfect trip and maybe a pace collapse to win.

PP7 – Tejano Twist (6‑1 ML)

Connections: Jockey Francisco Arrieta, trainer Chris Hartman

Recent finishes: 63‑2211 – back‑to‑back wins in the Whitmore Stakes (G3), including the 2026 edition just weeks ago.

Profile: A 7‑year‑old Practical Joke gelding and a true Oaklawn specialist, closing hard off hot paces. Hartman has him in career form, and Arrieta times his runs well here. If the early fractions get hot, Tejano Twist is the most dangerous closer in the race.

PP8 – Dreaminblue (8‑1 ML)

Connections: Jockey Rafael Bejarano, trainer Randy Morse

Recent finishes: 27031‑1 – comes in off a win and has prior stakes experience.

Profile: A Street Boss gelding with improving figures and a versatile running style. Morse is a savvy Oaklawn horseman, and Bejarano can adapt to the pace scenario. He’s a live mid‑price who could easily hit the board if he takes another small step forward.

Pace and race shape

Primary speed: Booth (3), Mad House (4), Maximum Bourbon (1)

Pressers/stalkers: Roll On Big Joe (5), Tough Catch (2), Wendelssohn (6), Dreaminblue (8)

Closers: Tejano Twist (7)

A fast, contested pace is likely, with multiple need‑the‑lead or near‑lead types. That scenario slightly upgrades Roll On Big Joe (who can sit just off) and Tejano Twist (deep closer), while still leaving room for a sharp speed horse like Booth or Maximum Bourbon to gut it out if the track plays strongly to speed.

Projected outcome

Roll On Big Joe (PP5) – Current form, perfect stalking style, proven at Oaklawn

Tejano Twist (PP7) – Oaklawn closer who thrives on hot paces

Maximum Bourbon (PP1) – Improving 4‑year‑old with ideal inside trip

Booth (PP3) – Classy speed; hangs on for a share if pace isn’t suicidal

Monkton (My Lady’s Manor Steeplechase Meet)
Surface: Timber • Distance: 3 miles
Purse: $50,000
Eligibility: 5‑year‑olds & up • Amateur riders only
Scheduled Post Time: 1:30 p.m. ET

Venue: My Lady’s Manor (Monkton, Maryland)

The My Lady’s Manor course in Monkton, MD is one of America’s most historic timber venues, known for:

Long galloping stretches

Large, solid timber fences

A premium on stamina, balance, and jumping efficiency

The 3‑mile timber configuration is a true endurance test, rewarding seasoned veterans and confident amateur riders.

Expected Weather & Track Conditions (Seasonal Projection)

While the entries do not include an official forecast, mid‑April in northern Maryland typically brings:

Temperatures in the mid‑50s to mid‑60s°F

Light spring breezes

Chance of scattered showers

Timber courses drain well, but moisture can make fences more demanding. Expect Good to Firm timber footing unless rain develops.
(Weather expectations are seasonal inferences, not official forecasts.)

Field Overview: 6 Declared Runners

All horses carry 165 lbs (older horses) and are ridden by NSA‑approved amateur riders.
Entries verified from BloodHorse, Equibase, and Horse Racing Nation.

Horse‑by‑Horse Analysis

PP #1 – Bob’s Bar (IRE)

Jockey: Elizabeth Scully • Trainer: Todd McKenna
Pedigree: Darsi (FR) – Kilcoltrim Society (IRE)
Age: 10‑year‑old gelding
Recent Form: Last‑out rating 28 (HRN)
Morning Line: Not published (timber meets rarely publish ML odds)

A seasoned Irish‑bred timber veteran with proven staying power. McKenna is one of the most respected timber conditioners in the Mid‑Atlantic, and Scully is a capable amateur rider with strong jumping instincts. Bob’s Bar is battle‑tested, consistent, and should be forwardly placed early. A major contender if the pace is steady.

PP #2 – Road to Oz

Jockey: Dan Nevin • Trainer: Mark Beecher
Pedigree: Quality Road – Miz Magician
Age: 11‑year‑old gelding
Recent Form: Last‑out rating 87 (HRN)

A classy, durable campaigner with strong timber credentials. Beecher is a former champion rider turned trainer, and Nevin is a confident amateur with excellent balance over timber. Road to Oz typically sits mid‑pack and grinds late—ideal for a 3‑mile test. A top‑three threat.

PP #3 – Bogey’s Image

Jockey: Teddy Davies • Trainer: Joseph G. Davies
Pedigree: Imagining – Casablanca Lily (IRE)
Age: 9‑year‑old gelding
Recent Form: Last‑out rating 94 (HRN)

Davies‑trained timber horses are always dangerous at Monkton. Bogey’s Image brings strong recent form and a rider (Teddy Davies) who is among the most polished amateurs in the sport. His jumping is reliable, and his late stamina is excellent. A serious win candidate.

PP #4 – Animal Kingston

Jockey: Eric Poretz • Trainer: Neil R. Morris
Pedigree: Animal Kingdom – Private Dining
Age: 11‑year‑old gelding
Recent Form: Last‑out rating 90 (HRN)

A tough, experienced timber horse with a strong partnership between Morris and Poretz. Animal Kingston stays all day and jumps cleanly. He may not have the flashiest turn of foot, but his consistency makes him a reliable board hitter.

PP #5 – The Butler Yates (IRE)

Jockey: Virginia Korrell • Trainer: Leslie F. Young
Pedigree: Yeats (IRE) – Kerry’s Girl (IRE)
Age: 9‑year‑old gelding
Recent Form: Last‑out rating 88 (HRN)

From the powerful Leslie Young barn—one of the top steeplechase operations in the U.S. The Butler Yates is a strong jumper with European staying bloodlines. Korrell is a capable amateur rider who excels on long‑distance timber types. A live upset possibility.

PP #6 – Uco Valley (IRE)

Jockey: Darren Andrews • Trainer: Leslie F. Young
Pedigree: Vadamos (FR) – Musical Rain (IRE)
Age: 8‑year‑old gelding
Recent Form: Last‑out rating 92 (HRN)

Another Young trainee, Uco Valley is slightly younger and more athletic than many in this field. Andrews is a confident amateur with strong timber instincts. His recent form suggests he’s peaking at the right time. A major player if the pace is honest.

Projected Pace Scenario

Timber races rarely feature blistering early fractions, but:

Bob’s Bar (1) and Uco Valley (6) may show early initiative.

Bogey’s Image (3) and Animal Kingston (4) sit just behind.

Road to Oz (2) and The Butler Yates (5) settle mid‑pack and grind late.

Expect a steady, stamina‑testing pace, with the race decided over the final two fences.

Predicted Order of Finish

Bogey’s Image (PP3) – Best recent form + elite amateur rider

Uco Valley (PP6) – Improving + strong barn

Road to Oz (PP2) – Class and consistency

Bob’s Bar (PP1) – Reliable veteran with tactical speed

Keeneland Race Course (Lexington, KY)
Surface: Dirt • Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Purse: $400,000
Eligibility: 3‑year‑olds
Scheduled Post Time: 5:48 p.m. ET

Venue: Keeneland Race Course

Keeneland’s main track is a fair, speed‑honest dirt surface with a long stretch that rewards tactical runners. April racing often features large fields and competitive Derby‑prep‑level pace dynamics.

Expected Weather & Track Conditions (Seasonal Projection)

While the entries do not include an official forecast, mid‑April in Lexington typically brings:

Temperatures in the mid‑60s to low‑70s°F

Light spring winds

Low‑to‑moderate chance of showers

Unless rain develops, the track is expected to be Fast, consistent with typical Keeneland spring conditions. (Seasonal inference.)

Field Overview: 11 Declared Runners

Horse‑by‑horse analysis including post position, morning‑line odds, jockey, trainer, pedigree, and recent finishes using verified data.

All horses carry 123 lbs.

Horse‑by‑Horse Analysis

PP #1 – Corona de Oro – 6‑1 ML

Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. • Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Pedigree: Bolt d’Oro – Lemon de Oro
Recent Finish: 1st, Fair Grounds MSW (118 rating)

A sharp maiden winner stretching out successfully last time. Stewart’s runners often improve with distance, and the rail draw gives him a ground‑saving trip. A live mid‑price contender with upside.

PP #2 – Exhibition Only – 10‑1 ML

Jockey: Ruben Silvera • Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez
Pedigree: Complexity – Silla Manila
Recent Finish: 4th, Gotham Stakes (G3) (97 rating)

Comes out of a strong Gotham field. Has tactical speed and could sit a perfect stalking trip. Needs a step forward but is not without a chance.

PP #3 – Decisive Win – 15‑1 ML

Jockey: Antonio Fresu • Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Pedigree: Nyquist – Weekend Away
Recent Finish: 4th, Santa Anita MSW (110 rating)

Lightly raced colt with improving figures. O’Neill ships aggressively when he believes a horse is turning a corner. A longshot with upside.

PP #4 – Enforced Agenda – 10‑1 ML

Jockey: Javier Castellano • Trainer: George Weaver
Pedigree: Liam’s Map – Heart and Hope
Recent Finish: 3rd, Jerome Stakes (104 rating)

Consistent and battle‑tested. Castellano excels with patient, ground‑saving rides. A reliable exotics player.

PP #5 – Mister T – 30‑1 ML

Jockey: Mitchell Murrill • Trainer: Climaco Galindo‑Torres
Pedigree: Sahara Sky – Gospel Singer
Recent Finish: 1st, Indiana Futurity (94 rating)

A stakes winner but facing a major class hike. Needs a perfect trip and regression from the favorites. Outsider.

PP #6 – Ramblin – 20‑1 ML

Jockey: Mario Gutierrez • Trainer: Bobby Barnett
Pedigree: Ghostzapper – Verdura
Recent Finish: 5th, Black Gold Stakes (92 rating)

Has stamina and experience but lacks the finishing punch of top contenders. A deep exotics possibility.

PP #7 – The Hell We Did – 8‑1 ML

Jockey: Luis Saez • Trainer: Todd Fincher
Pedigree: Authentic – Rose’s Desert
Recent Finish: 1st, Sunland Allowance (123 rating)

A powerful last‑out winner with a huge figure. Saez is aggressive and will likely send. A major pace player and upset threat.

PP #8 – Trendsetter – 20‑1 ML

Jockey: Kazushi Kimura • Trainer: Ben Colebrook
Pedigree: Modernist – Suyapa
Recent Finish: 3rd, Rushaway Stakes (94 rating)

Honest and improving. Needs a pace collapse to threaten. Longshot.

PP #9 – Ezum – 2‑1 ML (Favorite)

Jockey: Flavien Prat • Trainer: Brad Cox
Pedigree: Essential Quality – Bashful Bertie
Recent Finish: 1st, Colonial MSW by 19½ lengths (115 rating)

The headline horse. His 43‑length form swing (from a 24‑length loss to a 19½‑length win) is the talk of the race. Prat retains the mount. If the breakout was real, he’s the one to beat.

PP #10 – Confessional – 7‑2 ML

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. • Trainer: Brad Cox
Pedigree: Essential Quality – Speedy Vanessa
Recent Finish: 3rd, Virginia Derby (105 rating)

A classy closer with strong graded‑stakes experience. Ortiz fits him perfectly. With a strong pace, he becomes a serious win candidate.

PP #11 – I Did I Did – 10‑1 ML

Jockey: Juan Hernandez • Trainer: Michael Maker
Pedigree: Curlin – Ithinkisawapudycat
Recent Finish: 2nd, Colonial Allowance (106 rating)

Maker excels with improving 3‑year‑olds. This colt is consistent and tactical. A value play for vertical wagers.

Projected Pace Scenario

Front‑runners: The Hell We Did (7), Ezum (9), Corona de Oro (1)

Pressers/Stalkers: Exhibition Only (2), Enforced Agenda (4), Confessional (10)

Closers: I Did I Did (11), Ramblin (6), Trendsetter (8)

Expect a strong early pace, which could set up perfectly for Confessional or I Did I Did, unless Ezum proves his last performance was no fluke.

Predicted Order of Finish

Confessional (PP10) – Proven class + ideal pace setup

Ezum (PP9) – Freakish last‑out win but still must validate

The Hell We Did (PP7) – Huge figure + Saez aggression

Corona de Oro (PP1) – Improving and well‑drawn

Fonner Park – Grand Island, Nebraska
700 E. Stolley Park Road, Grand Island, NE

Race 9: The Baxter Stakes (Sixty-Fifth Running)
For 3-year-olds
Six furlongs – Dirt
Purse: $20,000-added (60% to winner, 20% second, 12% third, 5% fourth, 3% fifth)
Scheduled Post Time for Race 9: 5:22 PM CT (First post for the card is earlier in the afternoon; check track for exact daily schedule) Expected

Weather Conditions (as of race time):
Cloudy skies with temperatures around 55°F (feels like mid-50s with wind). Winds ESE at 13–14 mph. Humidity ~42%. Forecast calls for showers possibly developing later in the evening, but the afternoon/early evening should remain dry enough for racing. Mild spring conditions typical for Nebraska this time of year.

Track Conditions:
Dirt surface expected to be fast with moderate-to-good footing. The track is playing fairly neutral overall, with a slight advantage to horses breaking from middle posts (able to settle into stalking positions). Tactical speed and ability to stalk/pace will be key; extreme front-runners or deep closers may need perfect trips. No rain expected before post time, so no off-track concerns.

Morning Line Odds & Full Field (7 horses – no scratches reported):

PP 1 – Big N Slow (KY)
Jockey: Travis Cunningham
Trainer: Marvin A. Johnson
ML Odds: 9/2
Big N Slow is a lightly raced gelding by Known Agenda out of a Pulpit mare. He broke his maiden impressively in a March 27, 2026 MSW at Fonner Park over this exact 6-furlong distance, winning by a nose in 1:13.80 after a hard-fought battle. That was only his second career start (record entering today: 2: 1-0-0). Trainer Johnson knows the Fonner circuit well and has been successful with improving 3-year-olds. Cunningham is a solid local rider who knows how to get a horse to relax early. Big N Slow has shown gate speed and grit; expect him to be forwardly placed from the rail. A logical contender if he builds on that maiden score.

PP 2 – Golden Hurricane (NY)
Jockey: Alberto Pusac
Trainer: Kelli Martinez
ML Odds: 6/1
By Lookin At Lee, this gelding has made five starts with a record of 5: 0-1-0. He finished a very close second (nose) to Big N Slow in the same March 27 MSW at Fonner, showing tactical speed and a willingness to battle. Trainer Martinez is having a strong meet and knows the local biases. Pusac is one of the leading riders at Fonner and gives this horse an excellent chance to turn the tables or improve with experience. Look for him stalking just off the early pace; he’s a strong exotic play and could wire the field if the top gets tangled.

PP 3 – Witt’s Ten Touch (TX)
Jockey: Alex Birzer
Trainer: Jerry Gourneau
ML Odds: 3/1
Gelded son of American Dubai. Recent form includes competitive efforts at various tracks (including a 2nd-place finish on March 29). Birzer is a veteran Fonner rider with excellent timing. Gourneau is a capable trainer who doesn’t ship in lightly. This horse has shown versatility and can sit mid-pack before making a run. The 3/1 morning line reflects solid respect; he’s a prime win candidate if he’s improved since his last outing and handles the local dirt well.

PP 4 – Chatty Milligan (LA)
Jockey: David Cardoso
Trainer: Mark N. Hibdon
ML Odds: 8/1
By Mr Speaker. Hibdon (who also trains the favorite) is a top local conditioner and has two live chances here. Chatty Milligan is a bit of a longshot at 8/1 but could improve with the class drop or trip. Cardoso is reliable. Expect him to be mid-pack; value in the exotics if the top choices overpace.

PP 5 – Easy Munnings (KY)
Jockey: Belen Quinonez
Trainer: Luiz Antonio Arceo
ML Odds: 10/1
By Munnings. Quinonez is a strong local jockey who can get the most out of a horse. Arceo knows the circuit. This gelding is a bit of a longshot but has shown flashes; he’ll need a perfect trip from post 5 but could offer upset value at double-digit odds if the pace collapses.

PP 6 – Forza Road (CA)
Jockey: Nathan Haar
Trainer: Joseph M. Dominguez
ML Odds: 6/1
By Mo Forza. Haar is another capable Fonner rider. Dominguez sends a shipper that could be overlooked. Middle post helps; he’ll likely be forward or mid-pack. Live at 6/1 if he’s sharpened up for this stakes engagement.

PP 7 – Ahooga (LA) (Morning Line Favorite)
Jockey: Jose Angel Medina
Trainer: Mark N. Hibdon
ML Odds: 5/2
By Keen Ice. Ahooga enters with the most experience (9: 1-0-4) and strong recent form: third at Fonner Park just a few weeks ago, plus a win earlier this prep at Delta Downs. Trainer Hibdon is one of the meet’s leading conditioners and has the hot hand with two entries. Medina is a top local jockey who knows exactly where to place this horse. Ahooga has shown consistency, tactical speed, and the ability to finish strongly. From the outside post he can stalk or even press the pace. Hard to go against him as the slight favorite.

Overall Race Preview & Key Insights:
This is a competitive stakes for 3-year-olds at the beginning of the Fonner Park meet. The pace should be honest with several horses capable of pressing or stalking (Big N Slow, Golden Hurricane, Ahooga). The neutral-to-middle bias favors PP 3–6, but the rail (Big N Slow) and outside (Ahooga) are also playable.

Top Contenders:

Ahooga (7) – Most experienced, recent local form, top trainer/jockey combo – the one to beat.

Big N Slow (1) – Fresh off maiden win at this track/distance; improving and dangerous.

Witt’s Ten Touch (3) and Golden Hurricane (2) – Both have upside and could spring the upset or fill the exacta.

Suggested Wagers:

Win/Place: Ahooga or Big N Slow

Exacta Box: 7-1-3-2

Trifecta: 7/1,3,2/1,3,2,5,6 (keying the top three with coverage)