Distance: 1 1/16 miles (Dirt)
Purse: $1,000,000 (first seven-figure purse in the race’s 53-year history)
For: 3-year-old Fillies
Scheduled Post Time: 5:54 PM CT (First post for the 12-race card is 12:30 PM CT; this is the marquee late-card feature and final Kentucky Oaks points qualifier on Fantasy Stakes Day)

Venue Location: Oaklawn Park is located at 2705 Central Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas (71901). It is one of the top winter/spring racing venues in the country, with a fast, fair dirt surface that typically plays evenly or with a mild inside-speed bias at two turns for 3-year-old stakes.

Expected Weather Conditions: Mild and dry early-spring weather. Daytime high around 75°F (24°C), low near 43°F (6°C) overnight. Mostly clear skies with no chance of precipitation and light winds. These conditions are consistent with the extended forecast for Hot Springs on Friday.

Track Conditions: Fast dirt (no rain in the forecast and recent Oaklawn cards have run consistently fast; the surface should favor tactical speed and mid-pack closers in this two-turn route).Full Field (6 horses – official entries locked):

This is a compact but high-quality field of Kentucky Oaks preps contenders, headlined by Eclipse Award finalist Explora (unbeaten in Oaks preps at Oaklawn for trainer Bob Baffert) and a trio from the red-hot Mark Casse barn. Morning line odds reflect Explora as the heavy favorite, with solid value underneath. Recent form centers on the local Honeybee Stakes (G3) and Martha Washington.

PP 1 – Search Party
Trainer: Mark E. Casse (multiple Oaks preps winner; elite with improving fillies)
Jockey: Cristian A. Torres (high-percentage rider at Oaklawn)
Weight: 122 lbs
ML Odds: 6/1
Recent Finishes:

4th, Honeybee S. (G3), 3/1/26, Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles.

1st, Martha Washington S., 2/6/26, Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles (Oaklawn’s first Oaks qualifier).
Analysis: Stakes-proven with a local win at today’s exact distance. Casse has her sharp, but she’ll need to rebound from the Honeybee and overcome the rail draw in a field with proven closers. Tactical speed makes her a live exotic play.

PP 2 – Empath
Trainer: Mark E. Casse (same powerhouse barn as three entrants)
Jockey: Ramon A. Vazquez (reliable Oaklawn specialist)
Weight: 118 lbs
ML Odds: 20/1
Recent Finishes:

1st (maiden breaker), 3/14/26, Oaklawn (sprint).
Analysis: Supplemental nominee stretching to two turns for the first time. Lightly raced with upside, but this is a massive class and distance jump. Casse can improve them quickly; longshot chance to steal a piece if the pace melts early.

PP 3 – Counting Stars
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Jockey: Francisco Arrieta (strong recent meet rider)
Weight: 122 lbs
ML Odds: 5/2
Recent Finishes:

2nd (beaten ¾ length), Honeybee S. (G3), 3/1/26, Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles (behind Explora).
Analysis: Consistent Casse runner with a strong local placing at today’s distance. The Honeybee effort shows she can compete with the best; expect her to sit mid-pack and finish strongly. One of the top win threats and a key exotic horse.

PP 4 – Taken by the Wind
Trainer: Kenny G. McPeek (proven with Oaks contenders; sharp shipper)
Jockey: Emmanuel Esquivel (local rider who fits forward styles)
Weight: 122 lbs
ML Odds: 15/1
Recent Finishes:

8th (first career loss), Honeybee S. (G3), 3/1/26, Oaklawn.

Prior: Grade 3 winner (three wins in four starts).
Analysis: Talented but bounced in the Honeybee. McPeek gets them to rebound; she has early tactical speed and could wire or press if the favorite is overbet. Respect at a price as a live longshot.

PP 5 – Sticker Shock
Trainer: Brad H. Cox (top-tier stakes trainer with high win rate on debuters)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr. (elite closer; one of the best in the country)
Weight: 118 lbs
ML Odds: 3/1
Recent Finishes:

2-for-3 lifetime (stakes debut today).
Analysis: Lightly raced but highly regarded with Cox/Ortiz Jr. firepower. The connections alone demand respect; she’ll likely stalk and pounce. Strong contender who could crash the exacta at square odds.

PP 6 – Explora
Trainer: Bob Baffert (Hall of Famer; unbeaten in Kentucky Oaks preps at Oaklawn – won Fantasy in 1999 & 2012)
Jockey: Flavien Prat (nation’s top rider; perfect for tactical closers)
Weight: 122 lbs
ML Odds: 1/1 (heavy favorite)
Recent Finishes:

1st (by ¾ length over Counting Stars), Honeybee S. (G3), 3/1/26, Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles.

Eclipse Award finalist as champion 2-year-old filly.
Analysis: The clear class leader and standout. Baffert has her razor-sharp, Prat is the ideal rider, and she’s already beaten several of these at this track/distance. Outside post is fine for her stalking style. The one to beat – expect her to sit just off the pace and deliver.

Overall Preview & Handicapping Thoughts:
A star-studded but small-field Oaks prep with heavy Baffert/Casse influence. The pace should be honest with forward runners (Search Party, Taken by the Wind) setting it up for mid-pack closers like Explora, Counting Stars, and Sticker Shock. Oaklawn’s fast dirt at 1 1/16 miles plays to tactical speed and strong closers. Explora is the deserved favorite and likely winner, but the Casse trio plus Cox/Ortiz make this a betting race underneath with excellent exotic value.

Distance: 6 furlongs (Dirt)
Purse: $250,000 Guaranteed
For: Fillies and Mares, Four Year Olds and Upward (4th Running)
Scheduled Post Time: 4:48 PM CT (First post for the card is 12:30 PM CT; this is the late-card stakes feature on Fantasy Stakes Day)

Venue Location: Oaklawn Park is located at 2705 Central Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas (71901). It is Arkansas’s premier Thoroughbred racetrack, featuring a fast, fair main dirt track that often produces strong speed figures in sprints and plays evenly or with a mild inside bias at 6 furlongs during the winter/spring meet.

Expected Weather Conditions: Mild and dry spring conditions. Daytime high around 75°F (24°C), low near 43°F (6°C) overnight. Mostly clear skies with no chance of precipitation. Light winds expected. These conditions mirror typical late-March patterns at Oaklawn and align with the current forecast for Friday.

Track Conditions: Fast dirt (no rain in the extended forecast and recent Oaklawn cards have been consistently fast; the surface should favor speed and tactical runners in this sprint).

Full Field (9 horses – official entries):

PP 1 – Lovin’ On The Run (‘20 M)
Trainer: J. Ortiz
Jockey: J. Torres
Weight: 117 lbs
Recent Form Notes: Modest recent figures (shown as 87 LX in program); limited stakes exposure.
Analysis: Local connections with a tactical style that could benefit from the rail. Ortiz barn is capable, but this mare will need a career-best effort to challenge the top runners in open stakes company. Likely mid-pack or better at a price.

PP 2 – Wondrous (‘22 F)
Trainer: B. Walsh (Brendan P. Walsh)
Jockey: R. Vazquez (Ramon Vazquez)
Weight: 117 lbs
Recent Form Notes: Competitive allowance-level form.
Analysis: Godolphin homebred with upside as a younger runner in the field. Walsh does well with improving fillies; Vazquez is a high-percentage rider at Oaklawn. Expect a stalking trip – live exotic play if the pace heats up early.

PP 3 – Zeitlos (‘20 M)
Trainer: S. Asmussen (Steven M. Asmussen – all-time leading trainer at Oaklawn)
Jockey: I. Ortiz, Jr. (Irad Ortiz Jr. – elite closer)
Weight: 117 lbs
Recent Form Notes: Solid recent efforts (85 in program notes).
Analysis: Asmussen + Ortiz Jr. is one of the strongest combos in the game, especially at Oaklawn. This mare has the experience and class to sit mid-pack and finish strongly. Respect for connections; a major contender who could outrun her odds if the speed duels.

PP 4 – Asternia (‘21 M)
Trainer: R.L. Morse
Jockey: L. Saez (Luis Saez)
Weight: 119 lbs
Recent Form Notes: Coming off a recent win at Oaklawn Park; has three wins at the track overall.
Analysis: Local specialist with proven Oaklawn affinity. Saez is aggressive and fits her forward style perfectly. Morse has her peaking – a dangerous speed/presser who could wire the field or sit just off it. Strong win contender at a square price.

PP 5 – Me And Molly McGee (‘22 F)
Trainer: P. Eurton
Jockey: J. Hernandez
Weight: 117 lbs
Recent Form Notes: Allowance form (84 rating).
Analysis: Younger mare stepping up; Eurton is sharp with lightly raced types. Hernandez knows the track. She’ll likely be mid-pack; could improve with the class drop but faces tougher company here. Exotic filler at best.

PP 6 – Haulin Ice (‘21 M)
Trainer: S. Joseph, Jr. (Saffie A. Joseph Jr.)
Jockey: F. Arrieta
Weight: 124 lbs (top weight)
Recent Form Notes: Dominant recent winner of the Downthedustyroad Breeders’ S. at Oaklawn (1st by wide margin); first Arkansas-bred millionaire with a 7-2-0 record in nine starts at this track. Multiple stakes wins locally.
Analysis: The class horse and clear standout. Arkansas-bred star with explosive speed and a perfect record over this surface/distance. Joseph has her razor-sharp; expect her to press or lead and never look back. The one to beat – likely morning-line favorite.

PP 7 – Jersey Pearl (‘20 M)
Trainer: D. Miller
Jockey: C. Torres (Cristian Torres)
Weight: 124 lbs
Recent Form Notes: Recent stakes placings (82 rating).
Analysis: Consistent older mare with seasoning. Torres is riding well at the meet. Miller gets good efforts from her; she’ll be forwardly placed but may find the top ones too tough unless the pace collapses.

PP 8 – Evanescence (‘22 F)
Trainer: E. Kenneally (Eddie Kenneally)
Jockey: R. Bejarano
Weight: 117 lbs
Recent Form Notes: Last start winner at Fair Grounds (AOC); resuming off a freshening.
Analysis: Sharp comebacker with a recent victory. Kenneally excels with this type; Bejarano knows how to ride her. Versatile enough to stalk – a big threat if she replicates her FG form. Keep an eye on this improving 4YO.

PP 9 – Foie Gras (‘22 F)
Trainer: M. Maker (Michael Maker)
Jockey: F. Prat (Flavien Prat – one of the nation’s top riders)
Weight: 124 lbs
Recent Form Notes: Winner of three straight, including a recent score at Oaklawn; coming off a let-up but in peak form.
Analysis: Maker/Prat is always dangerous, especially in sprints. This filly is on a roll with high speed figures. Outside post is no issue for a closer/stalker. Major win threat and key exotic horse.

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Overall Preview & Handicapping Thoughts:
This is a high-quality sprint stakes featuring a mix of local specialists, improving younger mares, and proven stakes performers. The pace should be honest with several speed types (Asternia, Haulin Ice, possibly Lovin’ On The Run). Oaklawn’s fast 6-furlong dirt sets up perfectly for tactical speed or mid-pack closers. Haulin Ice towers on local form and class, but Foie Gras (hot streak + top jockey) and Evanescence (fresh winner) make this a betting race with value underneath. Asternia adds local win appeal.