HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn Park has consistently put on deep, competitive weekday feature races this meet, and that will again be the case Thursday. There are four stakes winners in the eighth race – an optional $62,500 claiming race for 4-year-olds and up over six furlongs – and all are entered for the tag. The strength of the field – and the aggressive spotting of horses – falls in line with what’s been happening all meet, said trainer Ron Moquett, who will saddle Seven Nation Army. “The competition is so crazy that you better be tied on,” he said. “A starter allowance [last week] had three graded stakes horses in the field. You’ve got to be kidding! How tough was that race?” Seven Nation Army will meet nine others, including stakes winners Silver Ride, Glory Stars, Battle Station, and Sure Fire Friend. Candy Cornell, who is coming off a local first-level allowance win, could go favored off the Beyer Speed Figure of 91 he earned March 15 when he covered six furlongs in a quick 1:09.85. :: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Seven Nation Army also will get good support. He was second by a length in a local optional $50,000 claiming race Feb. 21, with winner Grit and Curiosity covering six furlongs in 1:09.70. The race has since become a key one, with the third- and sixth-place finishers both winning their next outs. Seven Nation Army, who races for Franklin Stables and Moquett, on Thursday will be making his third start since September. “My partners have allowed me to be as patient as I can be with him,” Moquett said. “We want him to keep showing progress.” Seven Nation Army’s last race was a move forward from his 5-year-old debut Feb. 8, when he was third in a $40,000 starter allowance. Last meet, Seven Nation Army won two races at this six-furlong distance and for one, a $50,000 starter allowance, he earned a career-high Beyer of 100. Seven Nation Army will break from post 9 under Ramon Vazquez. “He’s won on the inside, but I’d rather him be on the outside,” Moquett said. Seven Nation Army’s last win came out of the six-hole in a field of seven, when he won a first-level allowance in July at Indiana Grand. He led throughout and figures to again be prominent Thursday. “He likes to get involved,” Moquett said. “He likes going.” Silver Ride was fourth at this level in his last start and along with Candy Cornell will give Oaklawn leading trainer Robertino Diodoro a strong hand. Silver Ride won an allowance on the opening-day card here Jan. 24, then returned one start later to run third in the $125,000 King Cotton at Oaklawn. Orlando Mojica has the mount from post 4. David Cohen will ride Candy Cornell from post 8.