First Look: Oaklawn hosts weekend graded stakes

Only two graded stakes are on the calendar for this weekend, with no points preps for the Kentucky Derby or Oaks as the trail takes a breather before heading into the 100-point qualifiers.

Oaklawn will host the Essex (G3) and the newly named Whitmore (G3) on Saturday. Formerly the Hot Spring Stakes, the sprint was renamed for the horse who won it four years in a row before finishing second last year. Entries were drawn on Sunday. Here's a look at the fields.

Essex (G3), 1 1/16 miles, 4-year-olds and up

Plainsman has finished in the money in eight straight starts, with wins in the Razorback (G3) last out and the Ack Ack in October. The second-, third- and fifth-place runners from the Razorback also are entered here. Title Ready hasn't won in four starts since last year's Louisiana (G3) and finished eighth in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) last out. Warrior's Charge' allowance win last out was his first score since the 2020 Philip H. Iselin (G3).

Whitmore (G3), 6 furlongs, 4-year-olds and up

In 18 starts since last year, Greeley and Ben has won all but four – and he was second in three of the others. This would be his first graded stakes. No Shirt No Shoes also his making his first graded-stakes start; he has been in the money in his last four starts. Atoka, third in the Ack Ack (G3) last year, had his last win in a December allowance at Oaklawn.