Natural State Breeders' Stakes
Compiled by Robert Yates
Contact: Chris Ho, Vice President of Marketing, cho@oaklawn.com, 501-623-4411 ext. 4201
Friday, May 3, 2024
KANTEX - Photo Credit: Coady Media
Natural State Breeders' Stakes - 3rd Running
HOT SPRINGS, AR – The origin of Kantex’s name is straightforward.
“He’s from Kansas,” co-owner/trainer Randy Morse said. “I’m from Texas.”
Morse and longtime business partner Randy Patterson, a Kansas native, watched 4-5 favorite Kantex deliver yet another straightforward performance at Oaklawn in Friday’s $150,000 Natural State Breeders’ Stakes for
Arkansas-bred fillies and mares at one mile.
Kantex ($3.80) surged toward the leaders late on the second turn and wore down stubborn front-runner Bennykayandsuzytoo on the outside in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by two lengths under Rafael Bejarano.
The Natural State marked the second consecutive Oaklawn stakes victory for Kantex, a 5-year-old daughter of Street Strategy, and her sixth in eight career starts in Hot Springs.
Bennykayandsuzytoo, who took the 10-horse field through a swift :46.35 half-mile, finished 2 ¾ lengths ahead of third-place finisher Sulwe. Fourth-place finisher Mozingo was followed, in order, by Punchy Girl, Cashmere Baby, Lassie My Girl, Kaboom Baby, Courtney Fay and Rivercrest Girl.
A victory would have made Kaboom Baby the leading accredited Arkansas-bred female money winner in history, surpassing The Mary Rose, who earned $539,894 from 21 lifetime starts in 2019-2022.
Racing over a fast surface, Kantex covered the mile in 1:39.07. She was exiting a victory in the $150,000 Downthedustyroad Breeders’ Stakes for female Arkansas-bred sprinters March 2 at Oaklawn. The Natural State was her first victory around two turns.
Overall, Kantex has a 6-1-2 record from 11 lifetime starts and earnings of $435,585.
Morse and Patterson, in partnership, also bred Kantex. Patterson owns Street Strategy, who stands at Lake Hamilton Equine Center in nearby Royal.
NATURAL STATE QUOTES
WINNING JOCKEY (RAFAEL BEJARANO/KANTEX): “She was in a good position. Everything was good for my horse. I had a great trip. At the top of the stretch, she showed me a big kick.”
WINNING CO-OWNER/TRAINER (RANDY MORSE/KANTEX): “That filly that ran second (Bennykayandsuzytoo), she ran huge. I mean, the track’s pretty speedy today. She’s all heart, I’ll tell you, Kantex. She’s tough.”
WINNING CO-OWNER (RANDY PATTERSON/KANTEX): “The race set up just about right for her with all that speed in front. It (Arkansas-bred program) has been real good to us. My daughter (farm manager Sara Patterson) gets all the credit for that. She does all the work. I just sign the check.”
