Counting Stars Leads Fantasy With Explora Out

Morning-line favorite Explora  will be scratched from the $1 million Fantasy Stakes (G2) March 27 at Oaklawn Park, Horse Racing Nation reports, creating opportunity for the five remaining 3-year-old fillies in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Trainer Bob Baffert told the publication she spiked a fever after traveling from Southern California to Arkansas for the race, and will now train up to the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Her reported withdrawal leaves Mark Casse-trained stablemates Counting Stars  and Search Party  as the most accomplished runners in the race, each with at least one stakes win at Oaklawn. Most recently, West Point Thoroughbreds' Counting Stars rallied from seventh to finish second in the March 1 Honeybee Stakes (G3) while Tracy Farmer homebred Search Party finished fourth in that test.

Search Party, a daughter of Gun Runner  , opened her 3-year-old campaign with a victory in the Martha Washington Stakes in February at Oaklawn while Counting Stars, a daughter of Honor A. P.  , closed her juvenile campaign in Hot Springs with wins in the Astral Spa Overnight and Year's End stakes.

Gary and Mary West homebred Sticker Shock  will try stakes company off a clear victory in an allowance-optional claiming race last month at Oaklawn. 

Haulin Ice Connections Hope for Matron Stakes Repeat

A year ago Haulin Ice  defeated other Arkansas-bred fillies and mares in the Downthedustyroad Breeders' Stakes by 6 lengths before delivering a front-end, 5-length score in the Matron Stakes, open to older fillies and mares.

This year Haulin Ice repeated in the Downthedustryroad by a margin more than double last year's and will now target a second straight win in the Matron. The 5-year-old Coal Front   mare is trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. for owners C2 Racing Stable, WSS Racing, and Agave Racing Stable.