Oaklawn Park, Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th 1st Post 1:30 CST
Two divisions of the Rebel were run yesterday and the ageless Jon Court won the first division with a masterful ride for HOF trainer Steve Asmussen aboard local horse Long Range Toddy. 2nd division was one to remember with 2 year old champ Game Winner battling Omaha Beach through the stretch with the latter winning the photo for Mandella/Smith. Best of luck to all on this St Paddy’s Day card.
Best Bet: Race 6, #7
Longshot: Race 7, #5
Race 1: Arky bred maiden claimers start off this St Pat’s Day Sunday card and the appropriately named Our Lucky Star has split a couple of fields vs better competition, makes his 3rd consecutive drop in class in same amount of starts, should get it done. Honduras Pride drops and gets in 11 pounds lighter than her last race. Anydayoftheweek is maker her 2nd start after nearly a year on the bench and should improve off her last. Selections R1: 5-7-2
Race 2: Doctor Lee chased a few of these last time but had a bad start and a wide trip, looks to pick up the pieces late and atone. Mineyerownmalone is an Irish sounding name and can’t blame anyone who backs this guy as he won as this level last time by open lengths. Street Trust has tactical speed, will be saving ground in the first turn under Santana. Selections R2: 7-5-1
Race 3: Going to forgive the last effort by Into My Dreams as was first off layoff, speed figures from last year puts him right there and blinkers go back off. Baysider trying to make unlucky number 13 his first win. If Komrad runs back to his race last July at Ellis everyone is running for 2nd, but the works coming into this don’t suggest that so going to take a stand against the likely favorite. Selections R3: 3-6-5
Race 4: One Man Party try to make it two in a row for Asmussen/Santana. Knocks Big Thirst won impressively in his last. Town Drunk has shown speed vs better and hopes the drop into claiming ranks makes the difference. Selections R4: 1-2-7
Race 5: Stay Determined comes in from Woodbine, which can be tricky since it is a synthetic surface there, but this 7 year has great early speed and gets in light with Lara, who won a race yesterday with a 19-1 shot. Greeley’s Spirit has good early foot as well and should appreciate the drop in class. Silver Spun had a rough trip last out and should be prevalent throughout. Selections R5: 1A-8-5
Race 6: Mylady Curlin has been trying to get past this N2X level for her last 5 starts and feel this time she gets it done with Santana taking over, best bet. Summer’s Indy has been knocking on the door her last two after winning the previous two races at Remington. Moonlight Train has hit the exacta in 3 of her 4 lifetime OP starts. Selections R6: 7-5-2
Race 7: Powerful Ally is coming off a layoff but has an arsenal of bullet works coming into this race, his last race at OP was Ark Derby day where he won by open lengths for Moquett who is heating up at his home track. I seriously doubt the 15-1 morning line will hold but this is a contentious group, long shot play for this St Paddy’s Day. Northern Trail has good early foot for another trainer that has been doing well lately. The Red Dude just missed at this level in his last race. Selections R7: 5-7-1
Race 8: Always Enuff looks to turn the tables on Create A Star. Good Move should be running on late. Selections R8: 8-1-4
Race 9: Starter Allowance ends the day and Never Give In is coming off a 2nd place finish in a stakes at Turf Paradise where finished in front of the VERY fast Mr. Jagermeister. Bayerd is back in the Asmussen barn and usually runs his race as his 35 starts and over 600K in earnings suggest. Bow and Arrow almost always fires. Selections R9: 4-2-8