King Cotton day at Oaklawn Park; let’s get some winners home and enjoy the day! The track has been muddy the last two days, with that, it hasn’t changed things much. Logical winners with a few Oaklawn prices mixed in as well.
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) 1A-4-6
Connections of the 1-1A entry want to win at OP. Nothing cute, using #4, Bayerd, as my second choice for the red hot barn of McKnight; #6 for Diodoro is next best. Nothing fancy here, no sense in trying to get cute.
Race 2) 1-8-11
Top pick comes in off the claim, for McKnight, but drops in for less than the claiming price, which doesn’t bother me as M&M racing wants to get their pictures taken at this meet. He should get a nice tactical trip. #8, Snuggly Bear, comes in this one, turf to dirt and has some decent numbers, #11 takes the class drop and is tactical, though not enamored with this post at 1 1/16.
Race 3) 8-2-6-5
Agosta, the top choice, scratched to this spot after being cross entered on Thursday. This is an angle I have always liked as McKnight thinks this is a softer spot. #2, Say It Softly, drops and should sit a nice trip near the front. #6, Sunset Cruise, comes in off the freshening after breaking maiden last out; will need pace. #5 could get brave on the engine here.
Race 4) 4-5-11-14
Zippy Lou has certainly burned enough money for Cox, but has been since last May, so maybe the barn has this one straightened out even though his barn has started as cold as a wedge to start the meet. #5, Portion, is a second start horse who should improve having run against open maidens while meeting state breds here. #11 is intriguing here. Vazquez takes the mount and has had success with this barn. Note, of the AE #14 draws in, you MUST use as this one was parking lot wide in debut at the meet.
Race 5) 2-4-7-6
This is a spread race for me in the multi’s as this is a wide open MSW race at six furlongs. #2 should show speed while saving ground on or near the rail. Should improve in his second race and took money at first asking. All out, #4, of the barn switch to Assmussen could be any type. He’s by Violence who can throw winners. Reelfoot, #7, adds the hood and lost to the Holy Bull winner last out. Will the blinks wake this one up? Market King, will be up close for Lukas and Court.
Pick 4: 1,4,11/1,5,8,9/1,3,9/5,10,11
Race 6) 4-1-11-3
Strike while the irons hot here. Holiday Mischief comes in off a win to start the meet, while being claimed by Caldwell, who want to win at the meet. Federico’s go to ride takes the mount, all systems go here. #1, Hardly A Secret, likes the distance, and is owned by M & M racing, while dropping in class. #11, will be near the wire, but will have to be much the best from this post at the distance. I’m using the top three in here to start the late pick 4.
Race 7) 5-9-8-1
Nice edition of the King Cotton lined up. #5, Heartwood, is the top choice. I see City of Light, Whitmore and Promises Fulfilled in his running lines. Should be ready to roll off the bench, while the #9 retains Ricardo and will sit a no excuse trip here. #8, likes to hang a bit, while I cannot leave Wilbo off my tickets. I don’t like the post here, but he runs too well at Oaklawn for Hartman and Cabrera.
Race 8) 9-1-3
Top choice here, get a good post and should be sitting near the pace. The one negative this one has is this one can give it up late down the lane. I’ll side with the McKnight barn that he’ll have this one ready off the shelf. The rail horse had issues at the start last out, but Rico gets the mount for the first time, so I’m hoping Rico will get this out into a nice position early. #3, Highland Lass, goes to the Barkley barn while adding the shades. This one should be ready to roll as well.
Race 9) 10-5-11-9
Let’s finish the card up with Augie dropping from the MSW ranks. This one is working well coming into this and if he is right should have no excuse here. C Dub, #5, drops out of the MSW ranks as well. I expect this one to be on the engine on the drop. #11, with the trainer switch to Diodoro, should get a nice trip just sitting off the speed.