Heartwood tops out-of-towners

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Heartwood and Control Stake lead a diverse group of shippers for the $100,000 King Cotton on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

“They’re coming in from everywhere,” said Chris Hartman, who will saddle defending winner Wilbo.

The King Cotton is the first local stepping-stone to the Grade 3, $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 13 at Oaklawn. The race Saturday will be run over six furlongs, and the field of 10 includes horses who last raced at Delta Downs, Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park, Sam Houston, and Turf Paradise.

Wilbo made his last start at Prairie Meadows, finishing third in the $100,000 Iowa Sprint on July 6. He was freshened, said Hartman, and was targeted for the meet at Oaklawn. Last year following a two-length score in the King Cotton, Wilbo was second to Whitmore in the Count Fleet.

KEY CONTENDERS

Heartwood, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 92-94-92

◗ He comes off a third-place finish to multiple graded stakes winner Coal Front in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector on Dec. 22 at Gulfstream. The race was run over seven furlongs and Heartwood on Saturday returns to the distance of his last stakes win, the Sen. Robert C. Byrd Memorial in August at Mountaineer.

◗ Heartwood worked six furlongs in a razor-sharp 1:10 on Jan. 27 at the Thoroughbred Training Center in Lexington, Ky.

◗ James Chapman, who co-owns and trains Heartwood, has given the mount to David Cohen.

Control Stake, by Discreetly Mine

Last 3 Beyers: 98-81-91

◗ He invades off a second by a neck in the $72,000 Duncan F. Kenner at Fair Grounds on Jan. 19. The 98 Beyer Control Stake earned is the best lastrace number in the King Cotton.

◗ Control Stake is looking for his fifth stakes win.

◗ He breaks from post 9 and could get a stalking trip off Gordy Florida and Dan the Go to Man.

◗ Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount for trainer Greg Foley.

Wilbo, by Candy Ride

Last 3 Beyers: 87-90-100

◗ He’s the local favorite as a three-time winner at Oaklawn. He’s been working regularly in Hot Springs. Among his moves was a six-furlong drill in 1:12.80 on Jan. 29.

“He’s been training well and as a rule with Wilbo, if he trains well, he runs well,” said Hartman.

◗ Wilbo won last year’s King Cotton over Grade 3 winner Ivan Fallunovalot in his second start at the meet.

“That was a pretty big win for him last year, to beat Ivan,” Hartman said. “That was almost like Wilbo’s coming-out party a little bit.”

◗ Wilbo, a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Kodiak Kowboy, will break from the rail under David Cabrera.