Kinetic Aims for Consecutive Stakes Scores in Essex

The $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park March 22 drew a field of seven, but whether all the top contenders run is yet to be determined. Each of the top three morning-line choices—Godolphin homebreds Kinetic (8-5) and Maycocks Bay (2-1) and David Bernsen's Tarantino (3-1)—are cross-entered in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots the same day. All three are double digits on the New Orleans' morning line, a race that features the seasonal debut of defending Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone. Godolphin's director of bloodstock Michael Banahan confirmed to BloodHorse March 18 that Brad Cox-trained Kinetic will race in the Essex. Oaklawn was the site of his first career stakes victory, the General MacArthur Overnight Stakes, Jan. 25. Winning for the fourth time in six starts, the son of Street Sense still showed signs of immaturity, lugging inwards through the stretch, but prevailed off his talent by three-quarters of a length. Banahan said a decision on Michael Stidham-trained Maycocks Bay, third most recently in the Mineshaft Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds Feb. 15, was likely to be made by March 19. Tarantino would be shipping in off three straight graded placings in California for trainer Peter Eurton, most recently third in the Jan. 25 San Pasqual Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. Mellon Patch's Patriot Spirit (9-2) has the lowest odds of those solely entered for the Essex. A dual stakes winner, the 4-year-old son of Constitution won the Illinois Derby last April in his lone start at the Essex's 1 1/8-mile distance. The remaining three entrants, Red Route One, Speed Bias, and Unload, all sit at 15-1 or higher on the morning line.