The return of Mitole as well as another nice filly and mare sprint stakes race on tap for Saturday! 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) 1,1A-3-4
Typical bottom level state bred maiden claimers that have yielded prices all meet. No sense in trying to separate this bunch, so I’m using the 1,2,3,4 and 6 in the early pick four and hope for a price. I settled on the 1-1A Mason entry, with zero confidence. The #1 is eligible to improve off the debut. Next, if the #3 can get out of the gate she can take this bunch a ways, but another I cannot totally trust. The #4 adds the hood and caught a wet track last out, so maybe this one can move up off that effort off the extended layoff.
Race 2) 4-7-6
#4, Captain Von Trapp, is a single for me early in the sequence. Ran an admirable race off the layoff and didn’t have the easiest of trips being steadied and angling out. A couple of Asmussen like maintenance works and this one should be ready to roll on the stretch out and on to bigger things down the road. #7 drops and gets off the bull ring, while being freshened for this spot. Ricardo lands here with the uncoupled Asmussen entry. Hidden Ruler, #6, should improve while breaking his maiden, first out, and stretches out as well, while taking big money in debut.
Race 3) 3-1-8-6
Another bottom level maiden race here; I always look for the older horses against the three year olds in these types, but the older horses don’t exactly exude confidence. Moon Unit, #3, has had enough chances, but will stretch again, and Ricardo takes the reins, while dropping to the bottom. #1, Soul Wind, is a second start horse but didn’t run a step first out, while #8, My Macho Mon, has caught wet tracks in his last two starts. Spread here and take as many in this race as you can afford.
Race 4) 1A-4-2-7
Decent race here, the M&M entry looks tough here, though there are other options to close out the early pick four and the pick three ending in this spot. The 1A, get off the Delta course that come struggle with. If the 1A scratches, move the #1 up to the top spot, while the 1A stays at the claiming price he was claimed for, a sign I like. #4, Hollywood Critic, drops in class, and may find himself on a lonely lead if they allow him to get away. #2, was bumped at the start in his Oaklawn debut of ’19 and should be much tighter here on the drop, tactical enough to sit just off the #4. The #7, will be on my tickets while being second best last out, he will be flying late with Vazquez staying in the irons.
Race 5) 6-10-9
Not a big fan of this race as I had a hard time getting a feel for it. Top choice, #6, is making his second start off the extended layoff, with Ricardo staying with the mount a positive sign. #10, Northern Fern, for McKnight and company has a tough post, but barn hits at 37% off the claim. #9, Brown Eyed Blues, is another with a tough post, but should be fitter off his last and is tactical to carve out a trip form this post. #3, didn’t run bad at this level, though Hill is struggling at the meet.
Race 6) 4-6-7
Wild Riot looks tough in this spot, no reason why she won’t run well, and looks like a possible lone F. #6, Ransomed, drops for Diodoro, out of a stake, while running first time Diodoro. #7, Highland Lass, drops as well and takes the hood off, while having a ton of issues at the break in last.
Race 7) 5-8-7
Single for me here to start the late pick four; #5, Mitole, has been away for almost a year. While I never like Asmussen in these types of layoff spots, he’s training well and when this barn fires bullets, I always pay attention. Is a very good sprinter and is very talented. Finds a decent spot to make his 2019 debut; #8 has a nice post and resides in a red hot barn of Ortiz. If top choice isn’t ready this one has a solid chance. Gordy Florida, #7, drops and offers some value.
Race 8) 5-8-1
Many of these ran against each other in the American Beauty on January 26th, where I picked Giant Oak on top and she didn’t run a step to say the least. I tried to beat Amy’s Challenge and looked like a fool after the race. If Amy doesn’t bounce, she’s going to be tough to hold off again, though I’m using Oak in the late pick four. I liked #1, Sister Nation, underneath as well and I’m going to stick with her as the third choice, while getting some post help here. This is a nice edition of the Spring Fever.
Race 9) 3-1-6-2
Ok, the #5 is going to take money, but I have zero interest with the jock assignment. If he wins, I’m ripping up tickets. I love the jail move with the #3, Attain Success, though there is no way we get the 15/1 morning line. Has numbers to win this at this distance. #1, New Dancer, is first time Broberg, and will be on all my tickets while taking the price hike. #6, Bold Friends, hales from another barn that is doing everything right at the current meet. DiVito hits at 28% off this type of layoff, tactical sort, must include. Mojovation, #2, is running for Diodoro off the barn switch from Pletcher, an angle I’m not a big fan of.
Race 10) 8-9-2-1
In the finale, if the top choice breaks clean, he could be gone, I also like the fact he’s a four year old facing three year olds, an angle I’ve talked about numerous time this time of the year. Leo Del Reo, took money at first asking and should improve second out. #2, Drexel, should improve as well, as does the #1, Yong Bull. Use all four to close out your multi’s.