Oaklawn Picks: Wings of an Angel in R8 on March 6

It is well-known ... Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas is a university town ... a university town of horse racing to be precise ... The southern village is hosting an extended festival with some superb racing. Betting options are the best in the country! We are facing 1 more day of wonderful racing from the celebrated home of Arkansas Thoroughbred culture before the weekend ends!

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: Fort Peck #2, 3/1):

Here is a 7-yr-old gelding owned by Flying P Stable that should easily win on Sunday. He is getting some major class relief, and against this lot, has some major advantages. Robertino Diodoro sent him into one of those tough AOC contests last time out at Oaklawn, and he did not fire. In his defense, Trident Hit was infinitely better that afternoon … The cutback in distance from 1 1/8th to 1 1/16th looks like a deal to me. Diodoro is still looking to get back on track, and I think he has a good chance in this spot. Regular rider, David Cohen, will try to keep his mount focused and on pace. If he can do that, then this one is a sure-score to my eye!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #2

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 8: Wings of an Angel #1, 8/1):

In these tough ALLW Co. sprints at the $100k level, you have to think broadly when it comes to selections. A race for older female runners, I like a shot in this spot. Trainer Larry Jones is a horseman, through and through. I love his approach to conditioning, and you know that when you wager on one of his runners … they are ready to go! This filly by Quality Road has a pair of races under her saddle (both at Oaklawn), and you will notice that she failed to make the jump from MSW Co. into this type of race. She wired the field on debut, but it is always difficult to try and ratchet upwards. Plus … plus, that sprint was very difficult because Martin Garcia ran into some major traffic. Now, Jones brings her back, adds Ricardo Santana, and that makes for a potent combination. At odds of 8/1 on the M/L, she looks full of promise. It is not easy for younger, less experienced horses, to emanate from the rail gate. I think that will not be much of an issue, if Santana can make the lead. If the team does, then it’s a win …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #1 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 3: Dirt, 1 1/16th, OC62.5kn2x, F&M 4+):

The “spotlight” might have to shine through some weather on Sunday, so please plan accordingly … I like this race, and hope that the scratches stay away. If we end up with a field of 6, it is going to be a contentious contest. The M/L favorite is Brad Cox’s Bold Tactics #2. The filly by Union Rags is making her 1st official start of ’22, and in 2 races under the expert trainer, she finished 3rd both times. The former Kelly Breen runner was switched to Cox by Gary and Mary West back in September, and she had trouble at Churchill when asked at the top of the lane. Shipping to Oaklawn, Cox tried her in an OC50kn2x, and again, she did not really respond. Now, with the switch to Ricardo Santana, you know she is going to take money because of this hot barn. I want little to do with her on the top of my ticket because I still do not know how good she is … to put it another way, value can be found elsewhere. Instead, I much prefer John Ortiz’s Turnstone #1. The mare by Double Irish is one of those sharp-looking homebred that Shortleaf produces seemingly every year. She was a turf horse mid-year in ’21 before getting back on the dirt at Oaklawn in mid-February. She did not run too badly against the power of Willful Woman in that OC50kn2x, and that makes me think that she just needed a race to get her feet wet. Ortiz is a master at getting his charges ready, and then recalibrating when it is necessary. David Cabrera, who was just on fire in the saddle, over the past few weeks, once again is the go-to rider. I would like to see him hustle her out, and try to grab the lead early. If the track is wet, it might give her a superb advantage breaking from that interior post. If she is 5/1, or higher, then that is a deal! Let’s bet this one, and take on the Cox favorite!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Cold, 1 w 2

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