Oaklawn Park Picks: Allowance Action Aplenty December 31

Celebrated Oaklawn Park is like a college town ... a college town of horse racing, that is ... Hot Springs is not only celebrating the New Year, but also some glorious racing. It should be an absolute blast!

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! 

If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Friday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below.

Most Likely Winner: (Race 8: Matareya #4, 5/2):

When Brad Cox and Florent Geroux team-up, they can form a fearsome twosome. How about 77x? That is how many times they have worked together this year. Winning 25% of the time is not too shabby … This Godolphin homebred by Pioneerof the Nile gets Lasix for the 1st time, and though she failed last time out at Churchill in a 200k, she can easily rebound today. Geroux rode this won in her debut at Ellis, winning on the engine. Expect great things from this runner … the next great Cox runner? We shall see …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #4

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 5: Fire Coral #8, 5/1):

Trainer Steve Asmussen’s reach is strong, especially when it comes to Oaklawn. Looking over this field, I think he has a good one entered in this OC contest. The last time we saw this 4-yr-old, she was up against a tough field of 4 others in an OC62.5k route on the dirt at Keeneland. She just missed by a neck—Microcap outlasted her. Her back class is strong, and I like the addition of Ramon Vasquez. He has a good OP Meet going right now, and that should continue. Owned by Susan Moulton, the Curlin filly is 5/2-0-1 in Hot Springs. Sounds like a bet to me … anything above 5/1 is an overlay in my estimation.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #8 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 9: Dirt, 6F, ALLW100k, F&M 3+):

Here is a “spotlight” that will really kick-off the New Year’s Eve party! With a dozen entered, it is sure to offer some value, especially if you are willing to take on a price. I am sure that Brad Cox’s Palm Cottage #2 and/or Chris Hartman’s Code Name Kate #5 will end up at the top of the tote board. Either is capable, and since they faced each other last time in a similar, it stands to reason that they will be well-bet again. The other alum of that race is here too (finished 3rd), and that is Scott Becker’s Miz Blue #8. I like her price much better than the other 2, and even though she lost the lead coming down the lane, that doesn’t mean she cannot rebound here. Her style is all out on the frontend, so that is a weapon, if the pace can roll in her favor. Let’s use all 3 of these runners on a Trifecta ticket, but as for my top selection, I particularly like Ernie Witt’s OP specialist, Kaboom Baby #6. In 5 career races (all @OP), the Tracy Selby homebred has always hit-the-board. With a pair of wins on the track, the filly is just getting started. By Hightail, this one gets “Luis Q,” and he has the know-how to get this one across the wire first. Let’s use her on top, and reap the benefits of what could be a great score.

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 6 w 2/5/8 w 2/5/8

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Enjoy another fab Friday trackside! Best of luck on another run at Oaklawn Park!