Oaklawn Picks: Melting Snow can clear on March 20

Oaklawn Park is nestled around a "university town" ... a university town of horse racing ... The southern village of Hot Springs is playing host to an extended festival with some superb running. Betting options are to the hilt!

The celebrated home of Arkansas Thoroughbred culture is heating up, with a move to 4 days of racing in-a-row; in order to make-up for lost time due to card cancellations last month. Today, there are 9 impressive races on the card!

As we aim towards the in-state "Derby Day," a KYD148 "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 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 4: Melting Snow #6, 7/2):

When it comes to “getting a winner” on this Sunday card at Oaklawn, I am “all-in” on Rene Amescua’s filly by Dialed In. The 4-yr-old really stepped up her game, as the barn sent her from ALLW Co. into an OC62.5kn2x event back in February. She did not disappoint, rallying from off-the-pace to get-up for the “Place.” That was against Novel Squall, a runner that has a certain cache. With Ricardo Santana aboard once again, I trust that Amescua, who has the chance to step into the limelight and out of the shadow of Peter Miller, has made the proper adjustments. This one arrives with a strong level of fitness, and I am hoping for odds of around 2/1. Anything above that … it’s an overlay.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #6

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 6: Ego #11, 10/1):

Looking over a horse’s recent form, you want to find a runner that has made progress when it comes to their level of fitness. Maybe the conditioner just went too “high” on the class meter, and tried to do too much. Here is a gelding by Quality Road for Paul Holthus whose “porridge” is just right. After 2 Starter ALLW Co. attempts, he is dropping into a much easier spot. This one can handle a pair of turns, but he is going to need a bit of luck exiting the gate from the extreme outside. Veteran Jon Court will be assigned that particular duty, and if anyone knows how to take up a position for a stalking trip, it’s him. You can count on this one being a double-digit price come post time, and that is just fine by me!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #11 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 5½F, ALLW106kn1x, 4+):

We “spotlight” a group of older males that will be sprinting along the backstretch. I am sure that most bettors will be “using” Scott Young’s Mesa Moon #9 … and rightly so. The gelding by Sky Mesa was 2nd at this level last time, just behind the fab Saffa’s Day. That effort was a “Dead Heat” with A C Expressway. There is no question that Young’s Oklahoma bred has outrun his class during the Meet. Still, despite these ticks to the plus-side, I want to grab some value elsewhere. When it comes to a top selection, I am pretty keen on Chris Hartman’s Devil’s Tower #8. This gelding is by Into Mischief, and he is coming into this higher grade with 3 wins in-a-row to his credit. It continues to be fun to watch this 4-yr-old move from Claiming to Starter Allowances, and now, to high-end Allowance Co. like this contest. Bred by Shortleaf Stables, he has the opportunity to eclipse this field. Hartman once again goes to Francisco Arrieta, and his riding is going to lead to the “title.” With fitness that appears loaded, I am hoping that the betting gamers will steer clear of this one … doubting his ability to rise to the occasion. One other entry that looks inviting, from the barn of Jerry Hollendorfer, is Stratofortress #4. This class leaper is trying to build on a body of work that was steadily garnered against MSW runners. Geo Franco gets the call for Hollendorfer (who is also a part-owner), and he is going to try and get this one home. What a tough hop this is going to be, but we know his level of fitness is looking promising after 3 attempts already during the Meet. Using all 3 of these horses that I mentioned makes sense, and I am hoping that they can come home 1-2-3! Check the order up top for the official word on this subject …

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Box, 4/8/9

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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 !!!