Oaklawn 2024-2025 Racing Season Update
04-05-25
A field of nine, including two runners from trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs, is entered in the $150,000 Rainbow Stakes Sunday at Oaklawn.
The Rainbow, which is for accredited 3-year-old Arkansas-breds at 6 furlongs, is the 12th and final race on an adjusted card that begins at 11:45 a.m. (Central).
Oaklawn, in anticipation of severe weather, shifted its scheduled 11-race Saturday program to Sunday. The Saturday card included the $150,000 Rainbow Miss Stakes for accredited 3-year-old Arkansas-bred fillies at six furlongs. It will now be run as Sunday’s 10th race, with probable post time 4:34 p.m.
Oaklawn scrapped Sunday’s originally scheduled nine-race program, with the exception of the Rainbow, which now has a probable post time of 5:38 p.m.
Moquett entered Rock Solo, who exits a front-running two-length allowance victory in open company at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 15 at Oaklawn, and Hicko, an unraced son of Lord Nelson.
Moquett (Southern Springs Stables) also co-owns and bred Hicko and Rock Solo, the latter in partnership. Moquett is seeking his second Rainbow victory after winning the race in 2020 with Man in the Can.
“Bold move,” Moquett said, referring to Hicko. “First time either one of them has seen an Arkansas-bred. I’m excited. We’ve got good horses. We point to these races every year. We expect to be in them and we expect to run well.”
Rock Solo (5-2 on the morning line) has made three of his five career starts at one mile or longer. He finished an even fifth in his only race at six furlongs, that coming in a Dec. 29 starter at Oaklawn. Rafael Bejarano is named to ride Rock Solo from the rail in the nine-horse field.
“There’s not a 3-year-old route race (Arkansas-bred stake), so we’re going to utilize his eligibility and just let him run,” Moquett said. “Hopefully, he gets a good trip, but he’s definitely better going two turns. They’ve got an advantage over us.”
Hicko (6-1) has nine published workouts this year at Oaklawn, the last a five-furlong bullet move (1:00) March 29.
“He’s fast,” Moquett said.
War Mule is the 2-1 program favorite for trainer Bret Calhoun. War Mule’s two career starts have come at Oaklawn, including a debut victory by a nose in a state-bred maiden special weight sprint Dec. 29. Leading rider Cristian
Torres is named to ride from post 9.
Gettinby (5-1) was a 5 ¾-length Arkansas-bred maiden special weight winner at six furlongs Jan. 23 at Oaklawn for
trainer Randy Morse. Gettinby adds blinkers Sunday.
Supplemental nominee A P Ruly (9-2) exits a 2 ¾-length state-bred maiden victory March 23 at Oaklawn for trainer Burl McBride, who won the 2019 Rainbow with Tapit Star.