Martha Washington and American Beauty day at Oaklawn! Enjoy the race day at Oaklawn, and as always, let’s box a few 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) 4-5-6
Ruler of the Nile is 3/5 at the distance and ships in for Lauer while taking a slight drop-in class. Toss the race, two back, as he was over his head and was running at a distance which is simply too long. Has tactical speed and should be up close to the speed of the rail horse and the horse right next door. Second choice, #5, should have plenty of pace to chase and goes out for solid connections. The Cox charge, Midnight Las Vegas, #6, had ran solid races over the oval and hits hard at the distance as well.
Race 2) 3-6-1
Top choice has been keeping decent company and drops the lowest class he’s seen in a long time. Has good speed and gets off the bullring at Delta Downs, which should help. #6, Millwood, is in good form and comes in off the slight jail move, claimed by solid connections. Will need pace to aid his closing kick, but should have every chance, while flying late. Round out the top three with the Broberg entrant, #1 Elitch, taking a class drop. Like the second choice will need pace to develop up front.
Race 3) 10-9-3
This is a race, often carded at Oaklawn where three-year old’s run against elders. If you have followed me, in the past, picking younger horse on top in these types of races is very difficult for obvious reasons. With that the three-year-old entered here look very solid on paper. I didn’t like capping this race and have zero feel.
Race 4) 2-5-12
Fair Catch, #2, takes the drop out of the MSW ranks and took money in his debut. Cox adds the blinks and towers over this bunch speed fig wise. I like second start horses as well. If this one is right, should win this mid-level maiden claiming race. Nice to see Cox not drop too far down the maiden ranks with a tag of 50K. Rahaal, #5, is another second start horse and like the top choice, adds the hood, should improve with the equipment addition and the drop out of MSW ranks as well. Let’s go to the far outside with the third choice. Protected, off the claim, this one can improve and has run some decent figs in recent starts.
Race 5) 1-2-3
There isn’t a ton of pace in here and the #3, Secret Touch, my third choice, could sneak away from this crew. I’m going to land on the McKnight charge, #1, Lookin for Eight on the class hike to sit just off and power home. Kurilov should acquit himself well here. This one has back class, but appears to run better on turf. Though his dirt figs stand up well here.
Race 6) 3-1
Look, I’m not telling you what you already know. Cox loves this filly, Taraz, and his visions of taking on the boys if she runs well here. We’ll get into that at another time. She is a complete standout. Single in all multi’s; take the free square and move on.
Race 7) 9-8-7
There is plenty of speed signed on here, with that, let’s look for an off the pace type. Diodoro claimed this one off of the Asmussen barn, while not in for the tag, which is a great sign, while adding the hood. Second choice, #8 Curate, has a win over the Oaklawn track, and should just sit off the pace while getting first run the top choice. Sadler has the #7, Jungle Warfare, freshened and goes from turf to dirt, a 36% move for the barn. Looks like this one was pointed to this spot and will have every chance to run well.
Race 8) 8-3-5
Decent edition of the American Beauty. No doubt, Amy’s Challenge, loves Oaklawn and won this race off the shelf last year, but I’m looking to beat her and there is enough speed to her outside to keep her honest. If you recall, I liked #8 Irish Mischief, in the top two spots last weekend, but she scratched out of the Pippin and lands here. Love the post and should sit just off the speed to be rolling in the lane.
Race 9) 8-3-1
Top choice, here, Sigalert, comes into this race second off the layoff and certainly has some back class. Will sit mid-pack and be ready to pounce turning for home. #3, Royal Daaher, is the inside speed and DiVito hits at 37% off this layoff angle. This one has also ran well over the strip. Diodoro brings in #1, Candy Cornell off the barn switch, while be freshened as well. Barn is on fire and toss at your own risk.