Mor Spirit hardly a shoo-in in Essex

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Mor Spirit might look like a layup to some horseplayers Saturday in the $250,000 Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park. He comes off a runner-up finish to fellow Grade 1 winner Hoppertunity in a Santa Anita stakes, and the Beyer Speed Figure of 101 that he earned is the best last-race number in the Essex.

He is the 7-5 morning-line favorite, the 121-pound highweight, and a very logical choice. But there’s more to explore in the Essex, a 1 1/16mile race for older horses that shares a card with the Rebel and Azeri, a program designed to produce starters for Racing Festival of the South stakes next month at Oaklawn.

The Essex field of eight also includes Madefromlucky, a millionaire who invades from Gulfstream Park; Shotgun Kowboy, a Grade 3 winner coming off back-to-back allowance wins at Oaklawn; Domain’s Rap, a stakes winner at the meet who is 5 for 8 overall at Oaklawn; and Dalmore, who like Mor Spirit has invaded from Southern California.

“It’s a solid race,” said Brad Cox, who sends out another interesting prospect in Dazzling Gem.

ESSEX HANDICAP (RACE 8) KEY CONTENDERS

Mor Spirit, by Eskendereya Last 3 Beyers: 101-98-82

◗ He enters the Essex off a runner-up finish, beaten a length, in the Grade 2 San Antonio on Feb. 4. Since that start, he’s worked a bullet six furlongs in 1:11.60 at Santa Anita.

◗ Mor Spirit will be spotting each of his rivals four to eight pounds.

◗ Mike Smith has the mount from post 2 for owner Michael Lund Peterson. Madefromlucky, by Lookin At Lucky Last 3 Beyers: 97-92-103

◗ Grade 2 winner enters off a troubled third-place finish in the $400,000 Poseidon at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28.

◗ He has familiarity with the Oaklawn surface, having run second in the Rebel and fourth in the Arkansas Derby back in 2015. Both races were won by American Pharoah, who went on to win the Triple Crown.

◗ Javier Castellano has the mount from post 8 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Dazzling Gem, by Misremembered Last 3 Beyers: 93-97-87

◗ He won two races over the Oaklawn strip last year at 3 and finished fourth in the Arkansas Derby.

◗ This year, he’s run well in both of his starts, finishing second in the $75,000 Louisiana Handicap at Fair Grounds, then third by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 3 Mineshaft there Feb. 25.

“He’s a bigger and stronger horse this year, no doubt about it,” said Cox. “I think he’s moved forward as a 4-year-old. He just hasn’t found the winner’s circle yet. He’s had two solid efforts as a 4-year-old.”

◗ Shaun Bridgmohan has the mount on Dazzling Gem.

“He likes to stalk, sit off the pace a little bit,” said Cox.

Dalmore, by Colonel John Last 3 Beyers: 78-95-87

◗ He was second to Grade 1 winner Midnight Storm in the Grade 2 San Pasqual in January at Santa Anita. Since then, his connections have been looking at Oaklawn rather than last weekend’s 1 1/4-mile Santa Anita Handicap.

“The money’s good,” said trainer Keith Desormeaux. “I didn’t think he’d like the mile and a quarter against the Midnight Storms and Shaman Ghosts. This seemed like a good spot.”

◗ Victor Espinoza has the mount on Dalmore, who usually sits a couple of lengths off the lead.