Oaklawn Park, Sunday, February 10th 1st Post 1:30 CST
Last week there were a lot of prices and a lot of Asmussen horses that won, but unfortunately I didn’t have much of either. While my best bet won (5-1 ML bet down to 2-1) the rest of the day wasn’t much to brag about. But I’ve put in more time on this card than any of the previous ones so hoping the extra work pays off. Good luck!
Best Bet: Race 2, #8 Carmelo
Longshot: Race 6, #8 Preacher Time
Show Parlay: Race 2, #8/Race 5, #7/Race 7, #6/Race 9, #7
Race 1: Strawn’s Cash is a versatile type which should serve him well in today’s opener. Believe Meanbone needed his last for Moquett and should improve. Haus will gun for the house and try to hold on. Selections R1: 7-2-6
Race 2: Carmelo wheels back on 9 days rest, drops and runs 2nd time for Broberg who hits nearly 1 out of every 3 times with this type. Hot Item likes OP and drops to his lowest claim level ever. Three Time Charmer gets in light with the bug rider and drops to what appears the correct level for him. Selections R2: 8-10-1
Race 3: Deano should be sitting just off the hot pace of Sambucca and New Flash to then rally past in deep stretch. Selections R3: 5-7-6
Race 4: Giant Pulpit, like many runners, seemed to really wake up once moved to the McKnight barn. A repeat of his last should do the job here even though it will be his first time vs winners. Dahik received a nice 3 month break after breaking his maiden in nice fashion at CD for Hartman. Lucky Britches drops to his lowest level in this his 7th career race and first one with Ricardo in the irons. Selections R4: 4-6-7
Race 5: Maiden 50K claimers here and a wide open affair. Usually when that is the case and you have Asmussen/Santana in the field best just look there and that is what I am going to do with One Man Party who has 3 solid works coming into this debut for this son of Shackelford. Travolta should improve with his 3rd career start and first under the supervision of McKnight. Shell Fire has some sneaky good works and Gemologist gest 12% of his first timers into the winner’s circle. Selections R5: 7-5-3
Race 6: Preacher Time is 4 for 4 in the money at OP, needs to sit right off the pace most likely provided by Cash for the Soul. The M&M racing coupled entry should be right there as well. Selections R6: 8-2-1A
Race 7: Looks like Dance Proposal needed a break from racing and Villafranco provided and now has a bullet 4F work coming into this race. Summer’s Indy will be gunning from the rail as will Bixby Lou from the 3 post after being off since running on the BC undercard at CD in the G2 Chilukki. Selections R7: 6-1-3
Race 8: Another great example of the quality racing at OP as this race on paper looks like a stakes race. Exclamation Point was running figs as a young 3 year old last year that will put him right in the mix today. One of my all-time favorites Shotgun Kowboy will be doing what he does: gun for the lead and try to hold on. High North, the other Cox horse, ran in nothing but stakes races in 2018 and prevailed in one here at OP with his Northern Spur victory on the Arkansas Derby undercard. Selections R8: 7-9-8
Race 9: Sundaysatthebeach has a brutal trip last time out at FG and my guess is the only reason Ricardo isn’t back riding this daughter of Medaglio d’Oro is that Asmussen has an entrant and he rides first call for the Hall of Famer. Kid Sis Should benefit from her race at CD and has a fastest of 121 works here at OP on Jan. 27th. Blessed Again will try to again go to the front and hold on. Selections R9: 7-6-3