Arkansas Derby is only 6 days away, should be a great weekend of racing coming up. Hoping we will see a Mitole/Whitmore match up in the Count Fleet on Saturday as well. I will be in town the entire weekend, hope to see some of you there!
Best Bet: Race 1, 1/1A
Longshot: Race 4, #1
Race 1: Bottom level claimers for OP here to start the day and Curiousncuriouser, while not in the running lines, seemed to have an issue at the start as she was a lot farther back than normal. Expect her near the front here in the early stages and in front at the wire. Eurodevilwoman has back class and is 2nd time Broberg, look out. Misty Journey is a hard trier and picks up her share of checks. Selections R1: 1-1A-6
Race 2: Unfailing makes a big drop and should do well here. Run This Town the other taking the plunge. Mumford has some early speed and will probably try and steal this one. Selections R2: 9-3-5
Race 3: Good chance for a sloppy track today and that should suit Dahik with Distorted Humor and Tapit in his immediate bloodlines, makes a drop for 30K level, has best early foot of this bunch as well. Dreamer’s Point ran a good 2nd at this level last time while traveling wide. Tashkent goes is first time Asmussen/Santana after breaking his maiden last out in New Orleans. Selections R3: 5-1A-6
Race 4: Evenly matched group of females searching for their 2nd lifetime win but if Lady Diamondback is ready, she should be tough at a price. Trainer hits at 18% with horses off the layoff so going to forgive the limited works since last race. Juliet’s Music just missed at this level last time out. Sheza Handful gets some class relief and Baze. Selections R4: 1-4-9
Race 5: Another tough race to narrow down, but going with the class edge here and settle with Mighty Manfred for the win. Mercer Island is tough as nails and should be right there at the top of the lane. Stormy Pacific as a couple of good 2nds leading into this race. Selections R5: 2-1-3
Race 6: Jerrid comes off a big victory and runs first time Cox. Cool Catomine has been in the exacta his last 4 races end fits well with this bunch. Ransack is first time McNight, an angle that wins at 32% and ITM 54%. Selections R6: 9-2X-1A
Race 7: Honest N Lucky should improve with her 2nd start and also appreciate 2 turns. Sooner Schooner gets first time Cox/Santana. Flashy Biz will save ground and look to make a big run late. Selections R7: 9-7-1
Race 8: Another allowance race at Oaklawn that has a stakes caliber lineup. Malibu Max is 3rd off the layoff and appreciates a sloppy going. Shotgun Kowboy is always there and one of my all-time favorites. Hope he wins this one. Exclamation Point has potential upside in his corner. Selections R8: 2-7-3
Race 9: C J’s Flair drops for this one first off the claim for Diodoro. Edisto Island has speed, seems like a poly specialist but if she takes to the off going could run away from them. Miz Oklahoma Blues is back with Villafranco. Selections R9: 6-8-4