Oaklawn Picks: Saffa's Day a play on February 18

Celebrated Oaklawn Park is like a college town ... a college town of horse racing, that is ... Hot Springs is celebrating some superb racing with some betting options are the best in the country! We are facing 4 days of racing from the celebrated home of Arkansas Thoroughbred culture!

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! 

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Most Likely Winner: (Race 4: Rift Valley #6, 7/2):

Trainer John Ortiz has made a nice name for himself in the business, and you always know that when you back one of his runners at the window; they are going to be prepared. Here is a New York bred that is going to get the best of both worlds … cutback in distance and some major class relief. Last year, this gelding by Pioneerof the Nile competed mostly in ALLW Co. at all 3 NYRA tracks. After a break, Shortleaf and Ortiz got him ready to take on the Claiming ranks at Oaklawn. Even though his 1st race back did not go so well (5th), he made up some ground late in that race. He should be primed and ready to roll, as David Cabrera gets the call.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #6

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 3: Uncaptured Dream #4, 6/1):

Trainer Scott Becker has a good Meet going right now, and against this MC30k group, he has a 1st time starter that looks to be ready to fire. I don’t usually go for these types, but the rest of this field looks vulnerable. Some are dropping down after doing very little running, while others (like Popster #5 and Beeasy #10) appear to be a bit shaky at this condition level. I like Becker’s approach to training, and the bloodlines look promising. This gelding is by Uncaptured, and with Luis Contreras in the irons, has a shot to catch this field napping. Here’s hoping that we get 6/1, or even higher … it may not happen.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #4 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 6F, ALLW100k, 4+):

One of the toughest races of the day is this ALLW Co. go … a sprint down the backstretch. Out of these older males, I am pretty keen to place a large wager on Rene Amescua’s Saffa’s Day #4. This son of Carpe Diem was claimed off of Steve Asmussen, and after he went 1:10 and change over a wet OP MT. That was a Clm50k condition race back on 8 Jan., and now he returns to take on some tougher folks. Looking through his back class, you will recall that he ran in the Southwest S. (G3) last year against “EQ,” Jackie’s, and Spielberg … not bad. Even though he was far back in that tough race, he ended up running a close 2nd in his next pair of races in Hot Springs. Those were challenging OCs; so, he is more than talented. Using him on top makes sense, but I also have respect for Mike Maker’s layoff entry, Wayakin #5, Norm Casse’s late-running A C Expressway #7, and finally, Brad Cox’s Outasite #9, who has not been seen for nearly a year. Each of these looks promising, but I do not think they have the ability that Amescua’s does. Plus, expert rider Florent Geroux gets the call, and he is riding as well as ever! Time to load up on this Tom Kagele-owned sprinter for a barn that is making some solid moves.

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Superfecta Wheel, 4 w 5/7/9 w 5/7/9 w 5/7/9

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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 !!!