Oaklawn Park Picks: Truculent lives up to his name, winning on March 26

Oaklawn Park is situated in the bustling "university town" of Hot Springs ... a university town of horse racing to put it cleverly ...

The southern town is playing host to an extended festival with their customary charm. 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 Saturday 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 7: Truculent #4, 5/1):

I am against both Fort Peck #2 and Hunka Burning Love #7 … both will garner a bit too much action on the tote come Saturday for new trainer Jason Barkley and old trainer Karl Broberg, respectively. Instead, I am keen to back John Cox’s value-laden horse by Raison D’Etat. I backed this one last time out in a Starter Allowance, and he just missed against the very impressive Decision Maker. Coming back to the track, I like this spot with Luis Contreras in the irons. The stretch out to this distance of 1 1/8th should not be too much of an issue, especially since this Cox runner has experience with 2 turns. What a price he will be if he remains around 5/1. Looks like a play to me!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #4

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 2: Freer #8, 6/1):

Here is a 4-yr-old colt by Bernardini that was bred in Kentucky by Nursery Place and Godolphin. Trainer Wayne Potts continues to impress at both Oaklawn and Aqueduct, and I like the look of this MC sprinter because he looks to be on the verge of a score. With a couple of 2nd Place endings in his last 2 races, I do not see why he could not jump up and lay this one in. I realize the class hike could be a concern, but I am hopeful that David Cabrera can work out a proper trip … he is at the top of the rider standings, which is impressive considering the level of competition within this colony.

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

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 9: Dirt, 6F, Purple Martin S., $150k, 3F):

Here is what can be termed as a tough dirt sprint that will pit a classy group of 6 against one another. Each of these has experience, especially since most come out of the Dixie Bell S. $150k that was run back on 19 Feb. Even though we do not have Wesley Ward’s Happy Soul back in-town, the 2nd and 3rd place runners do come back to try and take this prize. The accomplished conditioner, Randy Morse, who is quite a horse soothsayer, has Verylittlecents #5 racing once again for the “Randys.” In 7 lifetime starts, the filly by Goldencents has a pair of victories. She has graduated steadily up through the ranks of “Non-G” company at tracks like Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs, Keeneland, and Churchill Downs. With Jon Court aboard for a 2nd time, I think she is one to consider. I am actually quite partial to Ingrid Mason’s Hypersport #4, a filly by Blame that made some noise when she broke her maiden when the Meet began way back in early December. That was only her 2nd start, and Mason started to game plan moving forward. Even though the Muddy Waters-owned sprinter-turned-router missed the board in her next race … an ALLW Co. event at a mile, it was against D. Wayne Lukas’ Secret Oath. She had to take her on again in the Martha Washington $200k, and we all know how that went … In many ways, the Dixie Bell S. $150 was her best effort because she was faced with Ward’s Happy Soul, and made a game effort going 4-wide at the top of the lane. Clearly, she likes sprinting, and I am a big fan of Mason’s approach to training. Let’s make this one our top selection! This will not be an easy go what with Steve Asmussen’s Wicked Halo #1 and Brad Cox’s Como Square #3 entered … but I think Mason’s entry has heart … Bet on this one!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Wheel, 4 w 1/3/5

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