The track is fast, temperatures are in the 60s and the infield is open at Oaklawn, where the Racing Festival of the South is underway. The series features six major stakes over three days, with the first of the offerings, the Grade 3, $500,000 Fantasy, set for today, Friday.

Trainers Tom Van Berg, Jack Sisterson talk starters in Fantasy, a points race for the Kentucky Oaks: https://www.drf.com/news/preview/motion-emotion-looks-cap-big-meet-fantasy-stakes-score?type=track-news

Other highlights of the card include the 3-year-old debut of Proudly Pacific, a full sister to champion Proud Spell, and an allowance route for 3-year-olds that drew Comedian, Hidden Ruler, Warrior's Charge and trainer Todd Pletcher invader Soldado. 

Friday entries, which include comments for each horse on the card at Oaklawn: https://www.drf.com/race-entries/track/OP/country/USA/date/04-12-2019

DRF Bets: www.drf.com/bets

DRF TV preview of Fantasy with Dan Illman and Matt Bernier: http://video.drf.com/detail/videos/stakes-preview/video/6024898125001/fantasy-stakes-2019-preview?autoStart=true

Looking ahead to SATURDAY: 

Trainers Baffert, Mandella, Asmussen and Mott talk starters in Arkansas Derby: https://www.drf.com/news/preview/strong-cast-arkansas-derby-features-both-rebel-winners?type=track-news

Entries for Saturday with comments on each horse on the card, including key race and pedigree information: https://www.drf.com/race-entries/track/OP/country/USA/date/04-13-2019

Moquett, Asmussen talk Count Fleet matchup of Whitmore, Mitole: https://www.drf.com/news/preview/whitmore-takes-streaking-mitole-count-fleet-sprint-handicap?type=track-news

Preview of the Oaklawn Handicap with Asmussen, Contreras https://www.drf.com/news/preview/tenfold-quip-square-oaklawn-handicap?type=track-new

The following link has video clips of workouts from some horses running in the Festival: https://twitter.com/DRFRampellini/media

Works are also on Instagram at the address @maryrampellini

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