Loading ...Apr 11 2020
Oaklawn Sat. April 11. Oaklawn Stakes & Mile Precap, Large Fields, Purses, and Handles, Grid
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Saturday, April 11, 2020. Oaklawn Park has a big race card going today, highlighted by the Oaklawn Mile for $150k and the featured inaugural Oaklawn Stakes for $200k. Altogether there are 12 races on the card and over 130 horses running after morning scratches.
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As we’ve said before, the fields are stacking up at Oaklawn due to shippers from mass closings of other tracks around the country. Today is no exception, as there are no less than 10 horses in any race after scratches, and the average field size is 11.25. This makes for great gambling and parity.
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Most interestingly, it’s a huge 3yo Derby prep day. That’s right, we’re still talking about the 1st Saturday in May, the scheduled date of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, which will effectively replace the Kentucky Derby this year. The Oaklawn Stakes for 3yo’s will follow 6 other 3yo races for Derby hopefuls.
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Let’s talk about the Oaklawn Stakes in which 13 runners are slated to compete for $200k and an Arkansas Derby slot. This field is full of inconsistent but promising colts and geldings. Even the top 2 ML favorites have come off disappointing races, Baffert’s Thousand Words in the San Felipe G2, and Asmussen’s Basin in the Rebel G2.
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So consider them to be beatable. The 3rd choice, Farmington Road, is also coming off a disappointing 4th in the Risen Star G2, but he wasn’t far behind and the pace up front was slow. With top LP in the Grid, and plenty of speed scheduled, consider him a definite contender.
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Tied for 2nd in LP are Shoplifted and Gold Street, whose last performance was a horrific fade for the early runner. After than there are a slew of them close in LP including the 2 favorites, including frontrunner Sir Rick, Taishan, and Background.
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Sir Rick at 15-1 is the most interesting longshot, coming off 2 great races to kick off his 3yo campaign, including a solid Mine That Bird Derby win last out. But Cohen will need to keep him from engaging in a speed duel up front with Gold Street, Taishan, and perhaps others. Same for Taishan.
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Aside from the top 3 ML choices, which appear to be obvious key horses in your exotics, I’d still take Farmington Road for the win if he’s more than 4-1, and there are some great plays on the board.
Long shot specials:
Sir Rick 15-1
Background 12-1
Digital 8-1
Shoplifted 10-1
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Do with that what you will. Get the Oaklawn Grid here free and make your picks for all 12 races.
