Oaklawn Park Picks: Ortiz's Greatheart has it on March 25

Oaklawn Park is based in the small "university town" of Hot Springs ... a university town of horse racing to put it metaphorically ...

The southern town is playing host to an extended festival with their customary charm and verve. 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 in early April, 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! 

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. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

Most Likely Winner: (Race 3: Taxit #1, 7/2):

This MC40k open company affair brings together a tough group of maidens, and I want a sprinter that can “handle up” on this crowd. Backing the Winchell-Steve Asmussen-Joel Rosario squad seems like a plan. They are getting together down in New Orleans for a race you might have heard of … the Grade 1 Louisiana Derby. In this particular "go," I am sure that this son of Constitution will enjoy the class drop from MSW Co. Asmussen is sharp when it comes to assessing talent, and I would expect this colt’s 2nd career race to be stellar. Breaking from the inside can be a disadvantage, but Rosario isn’t the reigning Eclipse Champion Jockey for nothing. He wins …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #1

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 7: Greatheart #1, 10/1):

Trainer John Ortiz has had a strong Meet, and when he enters a runner from his barn, you had better take notice. Here is a colt by Empire Maker that did not get to do much running earlier this month. The 4-yr-old got caught in traffic, and David Cabrera had difficulty getting his mount into play. I like this Shortleaf router, and what I will say is, he will improve in this spot. We know … he can route … watch out for Ortiz … and finally, that rail post could be the spot to come from. If Cabrera can mix-it-up early, then he might have a shot at a price.

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

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 6F, OC80kb, 4+):

One of the many highlights on this Friday card is this salty OC80k contest going just 6 furlongs at Oaklawn. There are several directions that you can go in, but I am sure that bettors will be pretty interested in backing a runner like Steve Asmussen’s Jalen Journey #8. You might remember this ridgling from last year (10th in the Golden Shaheen – G1 in Dubai), when he returned to the U.S., competing ably at Belmont, Saratoga, and Laurel Park. At that last track, he was entered in a G3 (2nd), so one has to think coming back as a 7-yr-old that he still has some of that classy shine to him. Getting Rosario sinks almost any short price even further. I am betting that this one needs a race, and there are certainly others that can win. Home Base #4 for Cipriano Contreras has logged 4 races during the Meet, and in 3 of those races he ended up either 1st or 2nd. Guided by the superb Francisco Arrieta, this one is going to be a major player down the lane. I am sure both of the aforementioned will take significant money, so I want some good ole fashioned Oaklawn value. I am not about to turn my back on Jimmy DiVito’s venerable Mojo Man #2. The gelding by Stay Thirsty did not get the score I thought he would 2-back at this level, so the time has come for him to claim his prize. This barn can fire when it wants to, and this one is going to be an overlay when the tote settles. The riding services of Ricardo Santana sound good to me too. The key is going to be the break (rating 1-2 off), and if Santana can catch it, then this one has a chance. Let’s put him on top, and buck the trend to back a favorite. Nothing like contrarian thinking … DiVito would be pleased.

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 2 w 4/8 w 4/8

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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 !!!