A very average card for a Saturday at Oaklawn Park; let’s get some winners home and enjoy the day! A few stronger opinions on the card as well as some price shopping mingled in.
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) 9-8-1
Top choice drops out of state bred MSW ranks while getting a bit of rough trip in his debut. This one should show some tactical speed with the jock change. #8, Laneys Love, has knocked on the door and takes the class drop from open MSW to state breds here. Has had enough chances; has this one found the right group to break through? #1, Residual Sugar, is my stab in this race.
Race 2) 8-9-5
Wholehearted, #8, stays at the class level, while going second off the extended layoff. This one should be ready to roll, while just missing last out. #9, Seeds of Time, on the barn switch for Ortiz, who has been white hot to start. I expect improvement for this one while Ricardo sees fit to ride. Third choice will be in the mix, hoping for a better ride this time out.
Race 3) 7-6-5
Galahad Kid, for the DiVito barn, hopefully will have a better go of it in this race. Barn has been on a roll, look for this one to sit a nice stalking trip on the stretch out. #6, Charles T, drops for Asmussen to the maiden 40K level, hoping for a wakeup. Quicksilver rounds out my top three picks here for Cowboy Larry on the drops out of MSW ranks.
Race 4) 6-10-9
This looks to be a spread race to me. Had a tough time separating this group; tepid choice goes to, Big Trip, on the drop in this wide open maiden race. Is tactical and Ricardo jumps in the irons. #10, Knocks Big Thirst, on the outside, gets a rider upgrade and should have zero excuse while dropping to his lowest level yet, thought Hartman barn is as cold as a wedge. Grandgran, chose this spot after scratching out of a race he was entered in on Thursday, an angle I always like, looking for a softer spot.
Race 5) 5-1-3
Hardly a Secret ran a real nice race last out, while getting claimed. If the track has moisture in it, like it has the past two days, this one looks even better to me. Ricardo gets the call and should dead fit off his last. #1, Tapsolute is a jail move, though the barn has small sample size to draw from. Nice works leading into this spot for a trainer that can have them ready off the layoff. Bubbas Dixie rounds out the top three choices, as this one will be flying late.
Pick 4: 8/23457/789/11A2357
Race 6) 8-4-7
My strongest opinion on today’s card; took money in debut, second start, has put in a maintenance work since, lots to like with a great post position. If top pick falters, #4, for the Cox barn, looks live in this spot as they paid more than ten times than the stud fee for this one.
Race 7) 3-5-7-4
Spread race here for me. Nice competitive field assembled. Chris and Dave was claimed for 45K out of last race for strong connections that love to win at Oaklawn. Hasn’t won a race at Oaklawn, but hits hard and Santana has every chance to get his first win over the strip, should sit a nice tactical trip. #5, Casino Star, has been freshened for Van Berg. This one knocked me out of a pick three score on Breeders Cup weekend defeating MG Warrior. This one loved moisture in the track as well, so if it’s wet tomorrow that will certainly help. Secret Passage makes his second star of the meet and fits as well.
Race 8) 9-7-8
Ms Fifty First St, gets a nice cozy outside stalking position draw and lost to a repeater at the meet, while get the services of Ricardo as well, she ran third in this same race last year. #7, Georgia’s Reward, has been bet heavily during her last three races, is fresh and appears pointed for this race, while working well for her ’19 debut. Euro Me has the benefit of having a race under her belt at the meet, while taking the class hike for this state bred overnight stakes race.
Race 9) 1A-1-11-7
If the 1A draws in, he should roll in this race. He needed one off the long layoff in his first race since last April. Cohen returns in the irons, while taking the drop in class which doesn’t bother me since its M & M racing. This one loves the Oaklawn strip and the distance; while his entry mate is the second choice here. #11, Draftar, takes the class drop and is another one that should be much tighter off the long layoff last out. Chip Van Winkle, claimed last out by Borel, wheels back on short rest and loves the distance for the Borel boys.