Latter part of the card is a nice betting sequence as I’m going to close out the late multi’s with a single in race 10! Enjoy race day at Oaklawn, and as always, let’s box them and bet them!
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) 11A-6-5
Diodoro entry simply looks too good in the opener. Part of the entry will scratch, either way, both halves look strong. King of the Court, #6, is fresh and likes running at Oaklawn; has some nice figs at the distance and the local oval; runs well fresh. Third choice picks up Santana and fits well underneath the top choices.
Race 2) 3-2-6
State bred maiden race that simply gave me a headache. A typical-elders versus three-year-old’s this time of the year at Oaklawn. The elders simply look awful on paper. I reluctantly landed on the, #3, with very little confidence. Second choice, Shoot Me Straight, is dropping out of MSW ranks, but is a three-year-old. Third choice adds, the hood, maybe that will keep this one rolling after simply stopping in two races. This is a bad race.
Race 3) 7-1A-2
The M&M entry will take a ton of money here, as the 1A is the stronger part of the entry. Top choice gets off the inside as this one has drawn post one and two in both starts. Second off the layoff and is lightly raced as well; should be much tighter here. Garcia gets the call and should sit a nice trip up front. I want to try and get the third-choice underneath in the exact and/or trifecta.
Race 4) 5-2-6
Bottom level claimer here that is a spread race. Many in here can win. I landed, reluctantly, on Opportunistic, hoping to be just that, in this muddled picture. Drops, was way too far back, last out, and may not have cared for the mud either. Should be closer to the pace today. Second choice, had an absolute nightmare trip, running off the extended layoff, could get brave on the front end here at a huge price. Gray Phantom has some wins at the distance and takes the drop as well. Leave this one off your tickets at your own peril as I’m overstating the obvious with the red hot Diodoro barn.
Race 5) 2-6
Trip horse for me from earlier in the meet. You can forget the 3-1 morning line, no way we see that. Second off the layoff, the Borel boys should have no excuse here. Second choice, Hoonani Road, runs well fresh and loves the six-furlong distance. Top two choices should get you out of this race. Let’s roll with the #7, Racer, underneath the top two picks.
Race 6) 4-2-6
There is a ton of pace in this heat. #2, 5 and 6 all like the engine. #2 is the inside speed and was a bit short off the layoff. Many of these just faced off last out. I’m going to roll the dice with Midnight Las Vegas to sit just off the pace and roll home in the stretch. #6, Pat Daddy, owns three wins over the local oval, but the McKnight barn is ice cold right now.
Race 7) 7-9-5
Knicks Go, #4, is the class of the race, but I’m against in his return to the races, here, off the barn switch. My Sixth Sense, is on a three-race winning streak and is in great form. Won drawing away, last out, as Garcia sticks in the irons. Let’s go to the far outside in the place position. Round out the top three with Street to Indy for Diodoro.
Race 8) 4-5-1
Speaking of a hot pace, this could get Nascar fast up front. Baffert ships this one and Garcia takes the pilot of this rocket ship. He won’t be alone on the front end, as #1 has serious knock as well. Top pick has been away for a while, but has some serious works and should be ready off the bench. #5, Candy Cornell, could trip out sitting just off the speeds. Interesting hoss. Let’s finish the top three with the rail horse.
Race 9) 3-9-6-2
The Down the Dusty Road overnight stakes, for state breds, is always an intriguing race. #3, has been keeping open company and will be much tighter for this tilt, while dropping back into Arky breds here. By Bye J, tailed off, big time at the end of the spring goes first out on the barn switch for Asmussen. A definite player, but the price will be short. Sekani, off an impressive MSW, against, Arky breds, could take this bunch a long way here, intrigues on the engine. Diodoro claimed, the #2 Blushing Bella, off a trip where this one just missed while having to steady at the quarter pole. Cohen takes the mount.
Race 10) 1-9-6
O Seraphina, chased, and ran a very good race behind Taraz in last. Looks to be lonely on the lead here and is a single for me in the late multi’s. This is a sold filly and drops out of the Martha Washington back into the maiden special weight ranks here. Standout on paper. Second choice, a second start filly for Von Hemel, was off slow in debut and should improve off that initial race.