How to bet the Natural State Breeders’ Stakes

A total of 10 Arkansas-bred fillies and mares will travel one-mile in Sunday’s $150,000 Natural State Breeders’ S. at Oaklawn Park. The late-running #6 Kantex, one of three in the group for trainer Randy Morse, cruised home late en route to a two-length victory in the race last campaign as the 9-10 choice and might get a fine set up in hopes of defending her title. By Street Strategy, the six-year-old is six-for-nine at Oaklawn in her career and was at her best in 2024 with wins in three of four seasonal outings. The mare had a solid sprint prep in preparation for Sunday and will be doing her best work late under Rafael Bejarano. 

Natural State Wagers

• $5 trifecta 6 with 1,2,4 with 1,2,4 ($30)
• $2 trifecta 1,2,4 with 6 with 1,2,4 ($12)

The Tammy Hornsby-trained #4 Caliente Star has crushed a trio of fields in succession to begin her career and wouldn’t be a surprise despite facing her elders in the affair. The bay daughter of Tapiture has parlayed a stout closing kick into dominating three fields in succession, led by a convincing score in the Rainbow Miss S. last time out, and she seems poised to handle the move to eight panels in this spot. She gets a weight break from her older counterparts and will have regular pilot Francisco Arrieta in the irons. 

Tom Vance’s #1 Bennykayandsuzytoo is a wildcard in the field but will be the one to catch early on from the rail. The speedy daughter of Strong Mandate is not in ideal form leading up to this affair, but she was second best in the contest in 2024 and is well drawn to be sent and control things from the opening bell. She has been facing open company for the most part since December and will appreciate the class relief to some extent against this cast. Walter de la Cruz will be in the irons and sending the bay mare from the break. 

I don’t love the win chances of Morse’s #2 Punchy Girl as she has never hit the board at one-mile, but the six-year-old has ability and is not without a chance in the feature. The mare was sharp in her first two outings of 2025, and she will be well placed while close throughout with Keith Asmussen in the stirrups. 

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