Oaklawn Picks: Arkansas Bred, The Mary Rose on February 27

Hot Springs, Arkansas is like a college town ... a college town of horse racing to be precise ... The southern hamlet's Oaklawn Park is hosting an extended festival with some superb racing. Betting options are the best in the country! We are facing another 2 days of wonderful racing from the celebrated home of Arkansas Thoroughbred culture!

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! 

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Most Likely Winner: (Race 7: Ghaaleb the Great #2, 5/1):

Here is an Illinois bred that I hope can stay around 5/1 on the tote come post time. I am not sure it is going to happen, but one can dare to dream. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer claimed this mare by Ghaaleb from Scott Becker, who made this female into a pretty solid runner. Prior to her 2nd place finish last time out (the same level she is running at today), she ran at Oaklawn, Fairmount Park, and Hawthorne. Some of those races were quite good, and I expect that her new outfit can get even more out of her. I thought that effort she gave in the 2nd half of that 30 Jan. race was excellent. Maybe not winning was just the ticket! Let’s go after this one, and hope she gets overlooked with top rider, Francisco Arrieta, back aboard.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #2

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 3: Special Pryce #5, 6/1):

Trainer Tom Swearingen does not have an expansive barn, but when he enters … he competes ably. I like his gelding by Warrior’s Reward because during this Meet he has met all challenges with aplomb. Back in December, he started in Clm20kn2L and ended up 2nd at massive odds—60/1. Then his conditioner brought him back in the new year in mid-January in a Clm30kn2L, and he won late in the game by a neck. Now, stepping up once again, Swearingen continues to roll the class dice; this time in Clm30kn3L … I would expect this talented runner to be able to do more, and I like the move to add Luis Q. He is a jockey with a vast amount of experience, and if he can put his mount in the right spot (by the top of the lane), then this could be a fabulous pick.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #5 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 1 1/16th, OC80k, F&M 4+):

Casting an eye over this race's form, the “feature,” you will quickly notice that based on the M/L, Robertino Diodoro has what looks like a good one in W W Fitzy #5. He claimed this 6-yr-old mare by Well Positioned from the Contreras Barn back in mid-December, and promptly entered her in the Pippin S. $150k. That was a tough group to go up against, and included older females like Coach and Miss Bigly. With a game 3rd in that “Non-G,” Diodoro then dropped her into an OC30k, and she ran off with the prize. At this point, I am willing to admit that she looks promising, but I don’t think she really deserves to be 2/1. I would rather venture elsewhere, and look for a pair of other runners that I think are able to conquer in this race. When it comes to my top 2 selections, I am keen on John Ortiz’s The Mary Rose #1 and Lynn Chleborad’s Blessed Again #2. They are both drawn towards the rail, and possess solid routing ability. The former is a Shortleaf homebred Arkansas bred, which is rare in spots like these. These types just do not go well in open company. The talented young rider, Reylu Gutierrez, is in-town from the Fair Grounds, and will be aggressive early on. Ortiz is a master trainer, and is bringing his charge back to Oaklawn after running well-back of Asmussen’s Pauline’s Pearl in the G3 Houston Ladies Classic. Speaking of conditioning ability, how about Chleborad? She is experienced, and one to root for … right now, she is still looking for her 1st score of the Meet. She is switching to Tiago Pereira, and maybe he can help get this one home. A mare by Paynter, she has the gears to keep up, if she can break well. Let’s use all 3 of these entries in an Exacta Box, and see if we can load up for a major score!  

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Box, 1/2/5

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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 !!!