Oaklawn Park, Sunday, January 26th 1st Post 1:30 CST
Happy to be back giving my Sunday selections for Daily Gallop. Oaklawn is my favorite track to play with full fields and great payoffs in a great setting. While the track was playing towards speed on opening day, it seemed to be fair yesterday with both front end horses and closers hitting the line together. Trainer Diodoro had a great day yesterday taking 1/3 of the races. Good luck this year!
Best Bet: Race 3, #8
Longshot: Race 7, #9
Race 1: Never won 2 types going for a 25K tag. Short field (for Oaklawn) of only 8 entrants and I’m hoping the entry stays in the race as the 2nd time Diodoro filly Ginny B seems to be a step above the others from a speed figure perspective. Cherished showed speed vs better in her last and gets the services of perennial leading jockey Santana for the first time in her 9-race career. Tough read on the O’Neil entrant She’s a Dime but she drops and brings some west coast speed to the party. Selections R1: 1A-6-8
Race 2: One would think the return to dirt and sprinting along with the big class drop will be enough to get Between the Hedges home in this maiden claiming affair, although the performance in her last makes one more than a little nervous. Drop Dead Gorgeous and Unsweet Tea are both hoping their 12th start will be their first winning one. Both fit with this bunch and should be involved at the top of the stretch. Selections R2: 9-7-1
Race 3: Conditioned 12.5K claimers with a full field of 12 going 6F. Dial Me has run into a couple of tough run away winners in her last two but returns to level where she had success 3 races back. 2nd time Broberg and top Oaklawn jockey from 2019 David Cohen makes this gal my best bet of the day. My Darling Sofia has been picking up checks in S. Illinios and gets a bug that is an experienced exercise rider and an MMA fighter, so you can be confident she will split horses if needed! Backseat Promises is one of the few with a good late kick so can see this one filling out the tri. Selections R3: 8-4-5
Race 4: You don’t often see a 1st time Diodoro get moved up in class, so have to like the confidence this barn is showing in Road Test, who has tactical speed to sit off what looks like several horses dueling on the front end. Lady Cleopatra is all about gunning and trying to hold on, just like her stable mate/KY Oaks winner Serengeti Empress. Moonlight Train should save ground and pick up a share. Selections R4: 7-9-1
Race 5: Carte Blanche has run two very good races in his last 3 and outside his debut and Kee race has always hit the board. Gets a light freshening and needs a good trip in a very contentious race. Honoring Major has started to put it together in his last two, brings good tactical speed to the party. New Mexico hopes to run back to his maiden score where he dominated in OK. Selections R5: 4-2-11
Race 6: If there is one trainer angle you can count on, it is Larry Jones firing a very fast bullet 5F work before a winning performance, and Perfect Happiness fits the bill. Most players will gravitate to the strong
connections of Beach Time and can’t fault those who put this Goldophin filly on top. Bubble Line passed horses in her first race, always a good sign and gets Cby Hall of Famer Louis Q to guide her through traffic. Selections R6: 3-8-4
Race 7: Owner/trainer combo of Amy’s Challenge brings in Big Man Bob from a 1st time out win at Haw, gets Cohen and with breeding should relish the stretch out. Play the Wildcard got it done easily in his first try at WO back in November, not sure how to feel about the Hollendorfer barn this year at OP, will be taking a lot of “wait and see” approaches before putting any of them on top. Something Natural has been getting better with each of his 4 starts. Selections R7: 9-8-3
Race 8: Nashville Knight looks to gun and never look back while getting in light. K Choice has put together 3 good races in a row and should come into this ready to roll. Fast Breakin Cash may be an Okie-bred, but he brings home checks whenever he hits the track. Breeder/Owner/Trainer C.R. Trout has proven he can get runners like Shotgun Kowboy and this 4 year old could be on a similar path. Selections R8: 10-2-1
Race 9: Maiden Claiming Arky breds finish off this first weekend of racing in Hot Springs and showing speed vs maiden special types at Rem is good enough for me, therefore Rock City Rocket is my top choice here. Marco’s Dream has shown some early foot in 2 starts at Haw. Hesluck hit the board a several times last year at OP and hopes to be ready off the long bench today. Selections R9: 11-12-3