Fifth Season

A field of eight will line up for the $100,000 Fifth Season S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park on Wednesday. CLAYS AWESOME (Awesome Again) won two consecutive
races against allowance and optional-claiming company before finishing a close
fourth in the Razorback Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) last out. The Tim Hooper trainee
has the ability to rate off the pace or take it to the field from the start,
leading nearly wire-to-wire two back in an optional-claiming race at the Fifth
Season distance of 1 1/16 miles. This versatility makes the five-year-old
gelding dangerous. Calvin Borel will ride.

MAUK FOUR (Boston Harbor) will hope to end a spell of close losses in this
one, having come close in his past five attempts but falling just short of the
winner’s circle each time. Trained by Jerry Cart, Mauk Four’s last triumph came in
an allowance race in mid-January, defeating his rivals by three lengths. His
front-running style helps his chances of winning with the lack of speed in this
contest. Jeff Burningham has
the call.

FREE THINKING (Unbridled) has an affinity for this surface, winning three of
four attempts at Oaklawn Park. Trainer Don Von Hemel has turned the colt around
since taking over training duties last December. The four-year-old has won four
of his last five attempts and could threaten to take this one under regular
jockey Donald Pettinger.

ABSENT FRIEND (Runaway Groom) is another who has improved after changing
conditioners. Since making his first start for Cole Norman two back, the
five-year-old gelding earned triple-digit BRIS Speed figures in both starts,
rallying both times from the back of the pack. Armed with good late speed,
Absent Friend could vault himself onto the board in the closing stages of the
race.

PRO PRADO (El Prado [Ire]) will be stretching out to his longest distance
since finishing 13th in last year’s Kentucky Derby (G1). Since this outing, the
four-year-old has competed in a series of sprints against lesser company, where
he’s fared well, but the class rise and extra distance will leave
us to just watch. RIVER MOUNTAIN RD (Deputy Commander) comes off a fifth-place
outing in the Razorback and has four victories on this surface, but his
inconsistency forces us to go against.

SEPARATO (Victory Gallop) has performed well in the lower ranks, but has yet
to impress against the upper echelons.  MISSME (Belong to Me) has some good
late speed, but he has not performed well consistently and we can’t recommend
his chances.