The return of Whitmore and The G3 Honeybee 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) 5-1-7
This race gave me a headache. Class droppers, here, horses that don’t have a lot of excuses and those that find ways to lose are all signed on here. Going with a class riser, off the claim, while adding blinks for a small barn. #5, Lead Astray, should sit closer to the pace. Like the aggressive class hike and the nice work leading into this race. Big Al, #1, rises up the class ladder following a nice run the first over the Oaklawn strip. You’re Killing Me comes in fresh for Diodoro and M&M racing, while dropping in class. Prefer to see works at Oaklawn though.
Race 2) 6-9-10
Hopping on the Broberg train here with #6, Magic Command, who just missed last out, while Cohen remains in the saddle; this one has a nice post and should have no excuse here. Sammy Wonder Stone, may have loved the slop last out, but with the way the Ortiz barn is rolling is tough to leave of the ticket. #10, Midnight Las Vegas, was claimed last out and comes back in 30 days a nice window for the return, though this isn’t a jail move.
Race 3) 4-5-6
Holiday Mischief takes the class drop, here, and should get the lead with the drop in class. Has a chance to take this bunch a long way, especially if his neighbor, right next to him, doesn’t go, which leads me to my second pick on the stretch-out. This one drops in class, but hasn’t been this far on the dirt. #6, Keen Gizmo will fly late hoping to get enough pace.
Race 4) 12-13-4-9
Both horses I like are parked out wide. Note the #13, Greeleys Charm, has to draw in; first off the layoff for Broberg. Top choice goes to Wild Caramelo, #12, who has plenty of foot to get into the race before the turn. #4, Rapid Dial, cuts back a half a furlong here and has figs that can run big here, while #9, Family Code appears to be going in a negative direction; perhaps the class drop can wake this one up.
Race 5) 1A-2 Entry-4
Rider upgrade to Cohen, while also taking the class drop; tactical should sit a nice trip. The #2 entry for Villafranco and Caldwell are the other logical winners here. Lots to like with both second off the layoff, while being dead fit here, for solid connections; Rockport Kat looks to be another that fits here, though fear this one may get into a pace duel with the #1
Race 6) 1-3-11-6
This race gave me a headache. Took the class dropper, #1, on top, this one has the benefit of having a one mile race under his belt, off the extended layoff. Has a much better post and will shoe much more speed for this one. Indian Gulch, rises up the class ladder winning last out, for the Diodoro barn. #11, Mr. Tickle, with a bad post at this distance, comes in off over a one year layoff for Broberg.
Race 7) 1-4
The return of Whitmore at the track where he loves to win, he runs well fresh, loves the distance and should be ready to roll for his 2019 debut. A single for me in the late pick four, if the top choice is ready to roll, #4, Share the Upside looks like the logical winner.
Race 8) 1-6
Looks like a two horse race to me. Top choice draws the rail and has plenty of back class. Got a nice tightener, last out, over the strip and should save all the ground while running them down late. Second choice, Cowboy Rhythm, had trip issues making his first start since November, while barn go to rider, Cohen, and takes the mount.
Race 9) 2-6-9
Kentucky Oaks trail race for the three year old fillies in the Honeybee. Loved the race that Motion Emotion ran last out, while going two turns for the first time; her two back has been a key race. The extra 1/16 of a mile here shouldn’t be an issue at all. #6 and #9 look to be the others in here.
Race 10) 8-3-9-10
Expecting the #3 and #4 to hook up with a hot pace, while Summer Delivery, sitting a garden trip to close out the card, with the win.