ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 1, COVINGTON

FIRST RACE

COVINGTON gets the nod in the opener after a runner-up finish against steeper. He also has reason to move forward here in what will be his second out since October. ZAPPER DAN exits same race as top choice, finishing third as the favorite. The added ground this one picks up would seem to well-serve son of Ghostzapper. SWITCHBACK CREEK makes the move to two turns and there are some aspects of his pedigree that support him over a route of ground.

SECOND RACE

STAY SPICY was just edged against steeper last out and like that she was favored that afternoon. She also did well to close from some 10 lengths off the pace in the slop. DARION’S DREAM might be best served if the track is fast after catching a wet surface last time. She also faced steeper in the race. SIZZLE FACTOR has recency on some of these and has been facing steeper, while another of interest is LOOKFORASMILE.

THIRD RACE

BAY’S COMMANDER picked up a check against steeper last out in what was his first start since November. He has reason to move forward and the race also gives him recency on some of these. UNCLE GOYLE also is exiting a race against steeper. It marked his first start since June. Last year, he more than held his own against open foes at PrM. SHOE MONEY gives up recency to these as this marks his first out since July, but like that he owns competitive Beyer Figures. He also gets the services of Court, who is in the midst of a strong meet at Oaklawn.

FOURTH RACE

Diodoro had SPUR on point for his seasonal debut last out, a winning effort over conditioned claimers. SPUR was always prominent and shuttled clear by three lengths and while he faces more experienced rivals in this spot he owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Figure. DOUBLE OURS won for this price last out in his first start since October, and he, too, hails from the Diodoro stable. He has some back class to call upon. STAY HOME is back in the straight claiming ranks after facing starter foes, while another of interest is OBVIOUS ONE.

FIFTH RACE

TOASTING MASTER returns to the claiming ranks after a series of races against starter allowance foes, one of them a win at this mile trip in January at Oaklawn. The race will end at the sixteenth pole, as with all races at the distance in Hot Springs. ROMA ROAD is a quick horse shortening up some in distance and that might suit him well. He’s already a winner at the meet. MORE ON TAP owns some competitive Beyer Figures and has a high percentage team in Asmussen and Santana.

SIXTH RACE

TRANSFORMATIVE hooked a well-bred sort last out as the winner is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Miss Temple City. TRANSFORMATIVE picks up more ground here and note his best finish at the current meet came at this mile and a sixteenth distance. ROYAL LION might be closer to the pace here on the move back to two turns and also like that he is one who has seen steeper in the past. More than capable. SHABOXXO was a sharp winner in a two-turn race at Delta and for the effort earned what ranks as this field’s best last-race Beyer Figure.

SEVENTH RACE

CONSTANTINO hooked a quality kind of winner last out in Petrov, with more on that horse in Friday’s editions of Daily Racing Form. Also, the race CONSTANTINO exits drew such stakes winners as Uncontested and Storm Advisory. RICHIE THE BULL draws a post that might give Wethey options and he also owns some of the field’s strongest recent Beyer Figures. BLACK BEAR is a three-time winner over the local strip who could be sitting on a peak effort in his third out since November.

MOOLAMISS was second against higher-priced starter foes last out at Oaklawn. She’s further appealing for her consistent nature. CUDDLE KITTEN cuts back to one turn and on account of the distance move looking for her to be making her case in the later stages. This marks her second start since November. WHITE GOLD brings excellent speed to the table, while another of interest is the 3-year-old FAIRY HILL, who will be first Lasix.

NINTH RACE

GREELEY CAN WIN hooked a well-bred sort last out in Exclamation Point, a half-brother to champion Classic Empire who is to run back Saturday at Oaklawn. As for GREELEY CAN WIN, he ran one of the best races of his career for this price. STROLLING is back in the maiden claiming ranks and when last seen for a tag he was second in his debut at Kee. SONG OF THE NILE makes the meaningful move to the maiden claiming ranks for the first time.