It was good to see Whitmore back yesterday as he is an Oaklawn favorite and expect another big year from this 6 year old sprinter. The Count Fleet on Arkansas Derby day most likely his next appearance.
Best Bet: Race 5, #1A
Longshot: Race 3, #3
Race 1: Sundereya has tactical speed, drops and should improve 2nd off the layoff for young Mr. Barkely. Undivided drops back to 16K level where she has had success in the past and if improves off her 3 year old numbers will be tough. La Fee Verte keeps dropping in class and keeps losing by double digits, but has shown speed versus better and has the ageless Jon Court piloting, who is still a master with a horse on the front end. Selections R1: 4-2-6
Race 2: Morning Belle should sit right off the early pacesetters and get first jump on them when they start to fade. Princess Z Ohsix will be one of the pacesetters and should still be around near the end. I would like Shell Rocket for the win if this was another furlong, but feel she will be closing with not enough ground to get it done. Selections R2: 5-7-2
Race 3: Serious lack of early speed in this race so feel like this could set up perfect for American Glory with Jon Court. Dictate Cool appears the most talented on paper but seems she needs to sit back and make one big run and am concerned this race just doesn’t set up well for her. Regal Serenade will save ground into first turn and has Casse/Cohen in her corner. Selections R3: 3-9-1
Race 4: Googleado is like a fine wine, gets better with age and this 10 year old is firings on all cylinders right now with an early speed advantage over this group as well. We Did can get it done with his best. After Hours loves Oaklawn. Selections R4: 10-11-5
Race 5: I’m gonna break my Rusty Cage and run! He won’t be 13-1 like he was for his winning debut but feel this horse will improve off that effort and therefore will be most tough to run down today, best bet. Smellin’ Candy no doubt needed his last and has good early speed. Bandit Point again gets in light and should be a factor in the lane. Selections R5: 1A-9-2
Race 6: Drop Dead Gorgeous finished 4th in an ultra key race back on Jan 25th and then followed up with a second in her last, Hobby is hot at Oaklawn so far this year. Tipazar has finished in the money 4 of her 5 starts and stands a good chance to get her photo taken today. U.S. Currency a 5 year old maiden but has had some decent efforts, her last at Oaklawn in particular. Selections R6: 6-2-7
Race 7: Candy for Three claimed back after 1 race by M&M/Diodoro and he ran very well for them on Feb 10th. Because It’s Time makes his 3rd start for Hartman and has good tactical speed. Super Syd is trying to make it 2 in a row. Selections R7: 1A-7-3
Race 8: Jack Van Berg is back where he belongs going 1 turn and should amend for his last. Dorrance should be charging hard down the lane. Jobim is tough to gauge with a big number in his debut going 4.5 panels but feel this MN bred has some talent, fired a bullet workout at OP on 2/28. Selections R8: 4-7-6
Race 9: Arky Bred maidens closes out this Sunday before Rebel week and Silver City Blues brings a holster of bullet works into this, sire hits at 19% with first timers, Wiggins gets a respectable 12% home on their debuts and gets Canterbury Hall of Famer Louis Q to boot. Tapit Star ran a close 2nd at this level in his last. Calle Patron seemed to put it together at the end of his last race and this 4 year old should be GAINING GROUND in the stretch (I miss Mike Battaglia). Selections R9: 11-6-2