Spring Fever at Oaklawn sets up for What a Fox

Plenty of speed is signed on for Saturday’s $125,000 Spring Fever S. at Oaklawn Park, as #4 Amy’s Challenge, #1 Artistic Diva, #3 Break Even, #5 Midnight Fantasy, and #2 Mt. Brave all do their best running on the front end.

The 5 1/2-furlong test should set up perfectly for the lone closer in the six-horse field, #6 What a Fox.

Claimed for $50,000 in October, What a Fox exits a pair of sharp, rallying wins at Oaklawn against allowance foes, and the 4-year-old is listed as the 5-1 fifth choice on the morning line. Bettors are eligible to dismiss her because of class concerns, and the Spring Fever is her first stakes attempt, but What a Fox’s recent form holds up well in this spot.

Horses with improving form step up in class to win races every day, and this class hike makes sense for What a Fox.

Two starts back the Robertino Diodoro-trained filly registered a 97 Brisnet Speed rating. None of her rivals ran that fast in their last outing. The lightly raced Artistic Diva, who defeated conditional allowance opponents at Los Alamitos in September, is the only other entrant to win their last start.

Whether they are returning from a layoff or exiting a bad performance, none of What a Fox’s challengers appear at the top of their game.

I expect a scrum for the early lead, with a hot and contested battle throughout the opening stages, which should exact a supreme toll on the frontrunners. What a Fox should take advantage in the stretch drive of the Spring Fever.

The wager

$20 win: #6 What a Fox