Dixie Belle day at Oaklawn Park; let’s get some winners home and enjoy the day! Not a bad card at all for a February Saturday, let’s get some winner’s home and enjoy another race day at Oaklawn!
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) 4-1-5
Top choice is making his second start of the meet and is very tactical. Canchari retains the mount as well. Is a better alternative to the chalk, of which I have pegged in the second spot for Broberg? This one will come from way out of it hoping to get enough pace to roll in the lane. #5, Jubal, is out for the Broberg barn, off the claim, while getting an undesirable trip last out.
Race 2) 1A-9-3
Top choice is the coupled entry here for M & M racing. The class drop off the claim doesn’t worry me as these connections love to win at Oaklawn. The second choice, Jimbo’s Biz, #9, ran well off the layoff to finish a good second. Will be tighter for this and is deserving of a look on the win end with improvement. #3, Daring Ego, is no world beater in this bottom level maiden race, but is a 4 year old against some three year olds here.
Race 3) 6-1-1A-7
Going with the chalk on top as Diodoro brings this one in off a layoff while adding blinks. Has some class while running in California and meeting some good horses; the 1-1A entry of Ortiz, who has started the meet white hot, looks solid here as well. 1 has plenty of engine while the 1A will sit just off the pace, two solid pilots entice as well. #7, Looki Loo, off the barn switch from Baffert to Diodoro might need one off the pine.
Race 4) 3-9-1A
While I don’t completely trust this horse on top, she is a total stand out on paper. If this one is right at all, she should run away and hide from this bunch. The #9, Skip’s Song is the other elder in here that is worth a look off the long layoff. The 1A is dropping out of MSW ranks and deserves a look if the top choice doesn’t get it done.
Race 5) 4-7-5-6
This race doesn’t exactly beat the drum in my hit parade. If playing a pick three, I would suggest spreading and hope for a price as many in here can win. Settled on the #4 on top with not a lot of confidence; gets a better post and should sit a nice trip off the speed while being wheeled back quickly after being claimed by Asmussen, who is the owner of the horse. #7, has had success at Oaklawn and the distance, comes in fresh and has numbers that are much better, but can’t completely trust as this one hops back into the Van Berg barn after completely tailing off at the last spring. #5, Council Rules, is another that likes Oaklawn and the distance of ground, while taking the drop in class.
Pick 4: 1345/1311/15/56789
Race 6) 3-1-4-5
Interesting race here; there are some decent fillies in this tilt. Three Chords, #3, is in great form, won off the bench and loves the distance. #1, Ascot Day, appears to be headed in the same direction, but I don’t like the rail draw at six furlongs, which is the only knock with this one. She will have to gun for the lead, as there is enough speed, if she doesn’t go she might have too much to do down the lane. Always Enuff, #4, is lightly race and was last seen last spring at the Fair Grounds running the best fig of any in this race, but will she be ready off the long layoff? I liked #5 as my top choice in her race when she ran on opening weekend and got a brutal trip.
Race 7) 1 1A-3-11
The M & M entry looks strong in here, but the 1A will have to hope for scratches to get into the body of the work. Top pick is in good form and if he can hold the form he showed at Delta he’ll knock hard here. #3, Ceeky, ran well off the long layoff and has a nice maintenance work since that race. Intrigues at a good price, while, #11 draws wide at the mile distance here, though Asmussen usually needs one with this type of layoff.
Race 8) 5-1-3
Lady T N T has been freshened for Sharp and is the speed of the speed. If this one gets out of the gate, it could be curtains for the rest. Has a few knocks as her last two races were debacles. The rail horse, for Cox, could get enough pace to run the field down. Is working well for here return. The Asmussen charge, #3, won’t make it easy on the top choice if she can’t get away from the gate.
Race 9) 5-7-6-8
Tough way to end the card in this wide open MSW race; top pick is a four year old in a race with three year olds as well. I always side with the elders on top in these types of races. #5 for Hartman has had his chances, but just lost by a neck last out and looks to finally break through. #7, Kansas City Zip, is second off the layoff and will improve off his last, while wheeling back fast. #6, for Dallas Stewart, is training well and deserves a hard look in here. #8, Swither’s Shortcut, adds Lasix and is a one start horse that will improve as well.