Oaklawn Park, Sunday, February 24th 1st Post 1:30 CST
Finally got some things rolling last week with 4 winner plus my longshot play, Rusty Cage, won at 13-1. The track yesterday was playing towards speed, as not many horses were passed in the stretch. While OP usually is a fair racetrack, it can tend to play towards speed when the going is off, as it was yesterday. Watch for what I call the “Oaklawn conveyer belt” in the first few races and adjust your picks accordingly.
Best Bet: Race 5, #2, Thermistor
Longshot: Race 3, #12, Mini Miles
Race 1: Maiden claimers get us started today. Royal C has been facing better, shown speed and hit the board a couple times as well, which earns her the nod here. Just for Casey also is taking the drop and started her career with a couple of 2nd vs Mdn Special Weight competition in Altoona. Frigid ran a decent 4th 2 back at RP. Selections R1: 4-5-2
Race 2: Munyak should benefit from last race which was his first since July. Redneck Attack ran 3rd at this level and is first time Broberg/Cohen. Meanbone is running 3rd race of his form cycle and has good tactical speed. Selections R2: 2-9-6
Race 3: Magic Command got it done last time at this level and should make it two in a row. Mini Miles will be gunning from the outside with his early turn of foot, could sneak away at good odds. Tashreeh will be making his 3rd start under the Asmussen barn, should be right there. Selections R3: 7-12-4
Race 4: Mandel ships in from Laurel and bring some blazing early speed with him. If he can outbreak the 2 outside horses he could be gone. No Funny Biz should sit a good stalking trip. Dan the Go to Man ran a huge race last time out and followed with a bullet work. Selections R4: 3-4-6
Race 5: Thermistor appears primed to get that elusive 3rd career win as he has been knocking on the door in his last 2 races. Zaevion looks to make it two in a row for the Moquett/Santana tandem. Hot Item runs first time for Ms Mason and she hits at 22% first time after claim. Selections R5: 2-5-8
Race 6: Golden Notion is a first timer for Brad Cox who gets 20 percent with debut runners and is a son of Goldencents, who hits 15% with first timers and a very sharp 4F work on Feb 18th. Pyron has some good works and Asmussen/Santana in his corner for his debut. I’m Busy is the most accomplished of the experienced runners here and has good early speed, needs to hold on. Selections R6: 8-7-5
Race 7: A classy group of seven 4 year old fillies plus one 5 year old mare on display. It is a rare feat to win a G2 race and still be N2X eligible, but that is what Chocolate Martini is and if Amoss has her ready off the
layoff she will be tough. Summer’s Indy just missed at this level last time and should appreciate the extra ground she gets today. First Alternate will try and steal this on the front end and no doubt needed her last when she finished a tiring fourth. Selections R7: 6-5-4
Race 8: Oncewewerebrothers has run 2 huge races to start his career. Bano Solo ran 4th in the G3 Sanford at Saratoga but has been idle since. Market King is another big yearling purchase in the Lukas barn and he got it done last time in his 5th start and first around 2 turns, cuts back today. Selections R8: 2-4-8
Race 9: The race day ends with a great maiden race for 3 year olds going 6 panels and Breaking News might have won in his first try if the jockey didn’t drop his stick at the 1/8 pole. Nifty ran big is his debut and should be using his speed early from the outside. Power End ran second in his debut and will be tough. Selections R9: 6-9-3