Oaklawn Park: Atras' Maracuja '22 debut on April 1

Oaklawn Park is nestled in the "university town" of Hot Springs ... a university town of horse racing ...

The southern hamlet is playing host to an extended festival with their customary welcome! Betting options are the best in the country! The celebrated home of Arkansas Thoroughbred culture is switching gears and moving to 4 days of racing in-a-row to make-up for lost time due to cancellations last month. What a treat!

As we move ahead towards Arkansas Derby Day, a Kentucky Derby "Points" race, let us be your guide. At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! 

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Most Likely Winner: (Race 6: Ruggs #6, 7/2):

With a pair of powerful Steve Asmussen runners entered in this high-level OC100kn1x event around 2-turns, this is the perfect time to take a stand against the HOF-er. I have watched Ron Moquett’s Ruggs #6 each time he has run during the OP Meet (4x), and he never looks like he has much of a fastball when he needs it most. In his defense, he has been up against some tough divisional talent. When you have to take on Kavod, Dash Attack, and Zozos ... these are not going to be runners that you can easily beat. I think Moquett's charge gets a much better group to take on this time, and if David Cabrera can get to the lead from that outside post, I think he can get the win. The Asmussen underlays will take money … hence the attribution … so, it is a magnificent time to go with Moquett’s entry. He runs a fabulous barn, and I like it when he gets together with Cabrera.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #6

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 9: Nic and Zoe #2, 6/1):

Greg Compton is not a household name when it comes to conditioners, but if you look at his barn during this Meet, then you will find some consistency. He has 4 wins out of 25 starts, and against this kind of competition, that is not too shabby. Compton got aggressive last time, entering his mare by Street Boss in an ALLW100n1x. That did not go terribly well, but the experience told him what he needed to do next. A drop into this race appears more than appropriate, and I like the fact that John Court gets the call again. Two-back, he rated nicely aboard this 5-yr-old, winning from just behind the leader. This one is a sprinter through-and-through, and I like Compton’s chances to get to the Larry Snyder Winner’s Circle at a bit of a price.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #2 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 1 1/16th, OC100kn4L, F&M 4+):

One of the most competitive races across North America on this Friday might be this race … an OC100kn4L, which is a tough conditioner. Out of this 6-pack of older female runners, most will recognize the name of Rob Atras’ Maracuja #3. The filly is now a 4-yr-old, but she made some serious noise last year when she beat Todd Pletcher’s Malathaat at 15/1 in the Grade 1 Coaching Club Oaks. Even though she had difficulty in the Alabama (G1), also a Saratoga, and the Cotillion (G1) at Parx, it still was a banner year for this filly by Honor Code. The question, of course, that is natural to ask, concerns her fitness. If she has matured, and trained efficiently, then she deserves to be the odds-on favorite. I want to use her in my exotic bets, but I much prefer a runner like Jerry Hollendorfer’s Miss Imperial #5. There is no question that this daughter of Maclean’s Music is headed up the class ladder. That is what you absolutely want to see. This race will be another test for her, especially considering the company and condition. Still, I like her breaking ability from the gate, and she should be able to game with this crowd. One other runner that looks pretty interesting is John Ortiz’s Lil Kings Princess #1. A filly by Street Boss, she comes into this spot with a pair of victories to her credit … will it be 3 in-a-row? Cristian Torres is riding well of late, and we know that Ortiz is a top conditioner. He is moving up the register with this one, but she very well could win, especially if Atras’ entry needs a race. Let’s put together a Trifecta ticket that brings all of these females together.

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 5 w 1/3 w 1/3

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Enjoy another fab Friday trackside! Best of luck on another run at Oaklawn Park! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!