Oaklawn Park Picks: CZ Rocket on the pad Friday January 14

Celebrated Oaklawn Park is like a college town ... a college town of horse racing, that is ... Hot Springs is celebrating some glorious racing. It should be an absolute blast! Check out our free picks below ...

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Most Likely Winner: (Race 7: Princess Pauline #3, 7/2):

Steve Asmussen’s 2022 is off and running towards another set of successes … Here is a well-bred filly by Curlin that is sure to be near, if not at the top of the tote come post time. She looks formidable, and gets Joel Rosario, who is now riding in Hot Springs. Much to like about this Stonestreet homebred. She will be taking a class drop out of a race at Churchill, and I like the move to bring her to Oaklawn. Bet on the HOF trainer …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #3

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 6: Vodka N Water #1, 6/1):

In a tough race like this one, it is always best to consider your options. Sure, you can play favorites, but that does not make you much of a contrarian. I am choosing to be one of those in this race. For my money, I particularly like the connections behind a colt by Fed Biz that will be breaking from the 1-hole. Trainer Chelsey Moysey has already amassed a record of 11/3-2-0 during the Meet. That has raised some eyebrows, and folks in the biz have lauded her success. It is deserved … She teams with John Hiraldo, a bug boy who has garnered attention too. Not only does he get the weight break (109.5), but he has the scores to back up his growing ability. A former Asmussen trainee, Moysey is stretching him out, and taking off the “Blinks.” All sounds good … and the price … should be right!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #1 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 6F, AOC62.5k, 4+):

The “feature” on what promises to be a pretty wet and cold afternoon at Oaklawn has Ann entry that most racing fans will recognize … C Z Rocket #1. Now, the 8-yr-old gelding is trained by Rene Amescua, who is taking over the chores from the retired Peter Miller. We all remember this one’s battles @OP with Moquett’s Whitmore, and how it gave us all some thrills. Coming back to the track for this next chapter, it is natural to question … how fit can he really can be? There is no doubt that his talent and class remain, but let’s face it, this son of City Zip is going to be over bet. I want to take advantage of that prospect, and instead look for some value elsewhere. I have found a “good-un” in Mike Maker’s Kneedeepinsnow #6 (appropriately dubbed, don’t you think?). This 6-yr-old gelding by Flat Out was meandering all over the tracks in SoCal, and up-and-down the class ladder. Once his new conditioner got hold of him, and sent him to Hot Springs, it seemed like he found a home. His 1st out contest was one of those high-level ALLW120k events, and he did well (considering) it was a muddy affair that day in December. Ricardo Santana was aboard then, and Maker employs him once again … What I like most about that last effort was the 2nd half of the race, as he faced down adversity, and rallied up for 4th. That bodes well, and Maker’s numbers are even better at this stage of the claim. I am calling an ice-cold Exacta, which should do the trick.

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Cold, 6 w 1

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Oaklawn Park is back in action this week! Best of luck on another run in Hot Springs!