Oaklawn Picks: Cox's Wells Bayou an underlay on March 13?
Oaklawn Park Picks - Sunday, March 13, 2022
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Race 1: 3-1-5-4
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Race 2: 7-6-12-5
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Race 3: 2-6-1-5
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Race 4: 6-8-4-9
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Race 5: 9-2-5-7
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Race 6: 4-9-3-8
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Race 7: 11-6-4-12
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Race 8: 4-5-3-6
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Race 9: 1-2-8-6
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**Most Likely Winner: Improbably Journey #1 (Race 9)**
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**Best Value: Dare Me #6 (Race 4)**
Oaklawn Park is located in a "proto-college town" ... a college town of horse racing to be specific ...
The southern town of Hot Springs is hosting an extended festival with some superb racing. Betting options are the best in the country! We have last day of wonderful racing this weekend from the celebrated home of Arkansas Thoroughbred culture! This coming Thursday it will be the start of 4 days in-a-row to make-up for lost time due to weather back in February ... how about that?
In the meantime, 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 Sunday 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 9: Improbable Journey #1, 9/2):
You ever have a horse that you keep backing ... and backing ... and they just continually disappoint … leaving you without a “win” to show for it? Larry Jones is a heck of a conditioner, and I still trust in this gelding by Majestic Perfection, even though he has let me down 2x at Oaklawn, and before that at Keeneland and Churchill. I am hoping that turns around in this spot, and maybe Luis “Q” can get this one home. This is a homebred by Dreamchaser Thorobreds, and I will keep chasing this one, all the way to the wire. It can’t be improbable, can it?
Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #1
Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 4: Dare Me #6, 6/1):
Against a tough Brad Cox uncoupled entry, it might not seem that there is much hope for success. But what better way to beat the Eclipse Trainer than with a former runner that was once in his stable? This filly by Daredevil was claimed by Greg Compton back in December. She won her debut, and then headed out the barn door. That was a solid win against MC50k open company, and Compton tried to take a shot with her back on 22 Jan. against OC50kN. She was 3rd, way behind Warrior’s Battle #1 … Still, I think experience is experience, and she has had some time off over the past month and a half. With a work tab under her, and John Hiraldo back in the saddle, I like her price. You never know what will happen at Oaklawn …
Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #6 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)
Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 1 1/16th, OC100kb, 4+):
The Sunday “feature” is this 2-turn go at Oaklawn, and we have a celebrated runner coming back to the track that most “in-the-know” bettors will recognize. Brad Cox’s Wells Bayou #5 followed the circuitous Derby Trail while COVID wreaked havoc on the US in 2020. The son of Lookin At Lucky only ran 2x in ’21, before heading to the bench. He emerged as a 5-yr-old this year, and his 1st start was at Oaklawn in one of those OC80k events with a field of 6 others. Necker Island ran superbly that day, and Cox’s horse ended up 20-lengths back. Now, after some Cox-recalibration, it will be interesting to see how he responds with go-to rider Florent Geroux in the irons. I am not totally against this entry because he could bounce back in his 2nd start of the year. But, I doubt seriously that he will end up at post time hovering around 4/1 ... it will be probably more like 5/2. When it comes to a top selection, I am pretty keen on Robertino Diodoro’s Market Analysis #4. This Honor Code gelding is getting “Blinkered” for the 1st time, and should be able to improve after his last 2 performances at Oaklawn. His front-running style is a weapon in a situation like this one, and Luis Contreras knows him through and through. The Wiest Family made the switch to the Hot Springs-based trainer back in the fall, and I am sure they are excited about the potential for future success in stakes races. Let’s use this fit runner on top, and then roll Cox’s entry underneath for an ice-cold Exacta. That should do the trick … Diodoro should get ready to visit the Larry Snyder Winner’s Circle …
Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Cold, 4 w 5
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Enjoy another fab Sunday trackside! Best of luck on another run at Oaklawn Park! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!