HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The multiple stakes winner Holly Dolly will be looking to begin a new win streak Sunday when she starts in the featured ninth race at Oaklawn Park.
The six-furlong allowance for fillies and mares drew a competitive field of nine that includes Grade 2 winner Taxed. The race could produce starters for the $250,000 Matron here March 29.
Holly Dolly won five consecutive races from August to November until Grade 2 winner Spirit Wind stopped her streak in the Poinsettia Stakes on Dec. 21 at Oaklawn. Holly Dolly found herself farther back than usual and finished seventh to Spirit Wind after breaking to that one’s inside from post 2.
“It was a very tough field last time. There were a lot of good mares,” said Ray Ashford Jr., who trains Holly Dolly. “This race, as well, is a good race all across the board. She didn’t get away real good last time. She missed the break a little bit and it was just the way it turned out. She missed it half a step and [Spirit Wind’s] fast, just covered her up and kind of took her out of her game. Hopefully we rebound.”
Holly Dolly will start from post 5 and figures to find herself closer to the pace.
“I’m thinking [Won Happy Mama] is going to show some speed and roll out there, being fresh, hasn’t run in a while,” Ashford said. “I hope we’re laying about second or third, kind of in the pocket, right in a good spot. She’s pretty versatile. She can kind of go or she can sit right off of them, no problem.”
Tyler Bacon has the mount for owner Tom Durant.
Holly Dolly won the Zia Park Distaff on the front end in November, a race in which she covered six furlongs in a blazing 1:07.97. Her other career stakes win came during her five-win streak, when she rallied from just off the pace to win the Flashy Lady at Remington Park.
Won Happy Mama, winner of the Iowa Sorority at 2, is making her first start since June, as is Effortlesslyelgant, who twice has won off the bench in races at Oaklawn.
The field Sunday also includes American Band, who won last year’s Matron. Condensation, who has placed in six stakes, adds further depth to the allowance, as does the stakes-placed Tanya Showers.
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