Decent betting card for a Saturday, at Oaklawn. I believe the early pick four will pay more than the late pick four as there are a couple of short priced horses that will be tough to beat in that late sequence. At least we can enjoy some racing, though, considering we are living in this bizarro world currently. Like everyone else, I’m simply tired of it. Enjoy race day at Oaklawn, and as always, let’s box them and bet them!
I always love talking horses and handicapping. If I see anything during the race day follow me on Twitter @ BoxEmandBetEm and I’ll add up to minute info at Oaklawn Park.
Good luck and good racing!
Race 1) 4-7-2
This looks like a two-horse race to me. I sided with the Krisit’s Copilot as there is not a lot of pace in this race. This one is tactical and Garcia has been riding well, at Oaklawn, at sees fit to stay in the saddle. The Borel brothers have been red hot and Bubbas Dixie exploded on the stretch out in his last.
Suggested early Pick 4: 47/124568101114/211/14569
Race 2) 8-14-5-6-10-4-1-2-11
This race is a bottom level state-bred maiden race. I’m not going to spend a of time discussing this. A bad field; I will not be surprised by any in here. I’m going to spread in the early pick four. Take as many as you can. Obviously the #14 has to draw in. If he doesn’t simply move the rest up in order.
Race 3) 11-2-4
Diodoro off the claim; barn has given this one time and returns in a spot where he is protected and cannot get claimed. Looks like a great spot for his first out off the claim. Zeroed In, looks to be the inside speed and could get brave with a clean break. Platinum Nights, on the drop, will be much closer to the pace. Three back fig fits with this group.
Race 4) 6-5-9-1-4
Maiden special weight for three-year old fillies here in the fourth. This doesn’t appear to be the strongest group assembled at the meet to this point. Tepid choice goes to Cherokee Maiden, let’s hope the latter part of her name is no more after this race. Has caught an off going in last two and with fast ground maybe she can turn the tables here. Kizzy B, ships in from the Fairgrounds and gets a rider upgrade to Talamo. Sacred Union, the other Hollendorfer, stretches out after two sprint races under her belt. Cowboy Larry sends out a second start filly on the rail. Use as many as you can in here as well. This race has different trainers running multiple fillies, don’t leave them off you ticket. Though the Cat man doesn’t win first out, #4 Ocean Breeze has decent works and attracts Cohen. This one should like debuting at the mile and sixteenth.
Race 5) 6-3-8
Top choice actually drops in class off a win, last out. Is the speed of the speed and could be gone with a clean break. #3, Prince Pierce, comes in off a turf try, at the Fairgrounds and intrigues at a price. The 8 will be flying late.
Race 6) 4-9-8
I’m against the three-year olds in here. #4, Metropol, comes in from the Fairgrounds, fresh for the Cox barn that is deadly with this layoff angle. Has been bet heavy in both races and has been training well. In the nine-hole, Exultation, drops in class, and should get a nice trip. Hopefully he can get out of the gate as he was off slowly in last. Jack Van Berg was cut back to six furlongs, in last, his preferred distance and got back to a fig that can win this race, though winless at Oaklawn as this race is carded for non-winners of two races.
Race 7) 2-9-11-3
Again, as I look at races carded at Oaklawn I play against the younger horses that are running against older. The #3 is a three-year-old, but won an overnight stakes race at her unveiling at Belmont, last June. Top choice, Inthemidstofbiz, chased the meets three-win horse, Sunny Dale, two races back. Didn’t have an excuse, last out, low odds. Mott ships in the second choice and lures Garcia. Round out the next two spots with #11 and #3.
Race 8) 5-1-6
Decent Optional Claimer for three-year-olds here. A few Triple Crown nominated colts land here. Answer In, #5, has kept some decent company. Had no chance, in last, as Wells Bayou, strolled on the front end as lone speed. Cox sends this one out, second off the layoff. Has tactical speed and should be dead tight. Finnick the Fierce, drops out of the second Risen Star which wasn’t particularly a strong race. This one scratched out of the Jeff Ruby and another optional claimer at Turfway to land here. He will be flying late. I do like the jock switch to Garcia. Stewart ships in the #6 from the Fairgrounds. Nice work three back, this one will run his best to date.
Race 9) 8-1-6
Frank’s Rocket towers over these speed figs wise. Gets a nice outside draw and is the class of the race with his races on the dirt. Second off the layoff, this one has zero excuse here. Will sit just off the speed, to her inside, and roll home. Kimari makes her 2020 debut down on the rail. Will come with her late run and has plenty of speed to run down.
Race 10) 4-1-7-12-2