Kinetic Aims for Consecutive Stakes Scores in Essex

The $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park March 22 drew a field of seven, but whether all the top contenders run is yet to be determined.

Each of the top three morning-line choices—Godolphin homebreds Kinetic  (8-5) and Maycocks Bay  (2-1) and David Bernsen's Tarantino  (3-1)—are cross-entered in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots the same day. All three are double digits on the New Orleans' morning line, a race that features the seasonal debut of defending Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone .

Godolphin's director of bloodstock Michael Banahan confirmed to BloodHorse March 18 that Brad Cox-trained Kinetic will race in the Essex. Oaklawn was the site of his first career stakes victory, the General MacArthur Overnight Stakes, Jan. 25. Winning for the fourth time in six starts, the son of Street Sense   still showed signs of immaturity, lugging inwards through the stretch, but prevailed off his talent by three-quarters of a length.

Kinetic has won all three of his starts at the Essex distance of 1 1/8 miles.

"It's the perfect distance," Banahan said. "Hopefully, we can keep that streak alive at that distance. It looks like an ideal opportunity for him. He's 1 for 1 at the racetrack as well. It's obviously a step up into a graded race, but it looks like the right one to see if he can get to that level.

"He should get a nice stalking pace around there."

Video: General MacArthur Overnight S. (BT)

Banahan said a decision on Michael Stidham-trained Maycocks Bay, third most recently in the Mineshaft Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds Feb. 15, was likely to be made by March 19. Oaklawn's racing department reported March 21 that Maycocks Bay would scratch out of the Essex and run in New Orleans.

Tarantino would be shipping in off three straight graded placings in California for trainer Peter Eurton, most recently third in the Jan. 25 San Pasqual Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. He is expected to start in the Essex, according to Daily Racing Form.

Mellon Patch's Patriot Spirit  (9-2) has the lowest odds of those solely entered for the Essex. A dual stakes winner, the 4-year-old son of Constitution   won the Illinois Derby last April in his lone start at the Essex's 1 1/8-mile distance.

The remaining three entrants, Red Route One , Speed Bias , and Unload , all sit at 15-1 or higher on the morning line.

Steve Asmussen trains stretch-running Red Route One and the speedster Unload, both Winchell Thoroughbreds homebreds by Gun Runner  .

"Both of them are longer-priced horses in the (field), but they complement each other," Asmussen said.