Oaklawn Picks: Icy Stare Down focused on March 24

Oaklawn Park is situated in the tight-knit "university town" of Hot Springs ... a university town of horse racing to be exact ...

The southern village is playing host to an extended festival with some excellent racing. Betting options are the best in the country! The celebrated home of Arkansas Thoroughbred culture is switching gears and moving to 4 days of racing in-a-row to make-up for lost time due to cancellations last month. What a treat!

As we move ahead towards Arkansas Derby Day in early April, a Kentucky Derby "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 Thursday 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 2: Windcracker #4, 9/2):

Trainer Cip Contreras has a good, solid stable, but looking at his win percentage, you might conclude that isn’t the case. However, taking a longer view, he has 15 “Places” during the OP Meet … impressive. I think this gelding by Super Saver will give him win number 7, and I believe that because this one is going to receive some nice class relief. Last out, he was up against Clm50n2L Co., with the likes of Name Rejected and Breaking News. The speed fig he posted, and the jockeying late in the game by Francisco Arrieta, make me think he can get the job done against this group. Should be fun to see Cip head to the Larry Snyder …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #4

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

Here is a 5-yr-old gelding by Violence that has 4, 4th place finishes in-a-row. It is time to break through … don’t you think? I like that Paul Holthus is dropping this one down from Clm20k Co., and that should bring some results, I think. I am sure Allen Milligan’s Abdan #9 will get over bet; last out, that 4-yr-old could not make the jump from the MC ranks … Holthus is a solid conditioner with a great approach to his runners. Runs in the family, to say the least, as his father was a cornerstone at Oaklawn for decades as their leading trainer …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #3 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 6F, AOC75kn2L, 3F):

The long shadow of Brad Cox is cast over this race … like a skyscraper obscuring the view of a 100-yr-old building … all very dramatic … that’s for sure. Between uncoupled entry, Com’ On Sweet Luv #2 and Icy Stare Down #7, I rather like the look of the latter over the former. Last out at Oaklawn, the filly by Frosted (makes sense) was up against Mike Maker’s Lady Scarlett. This runner just shipped to Aqueduct, and she ran impressively in a “Non-G.” With a pair of works under her, she should be much more “fit” for this run on the dirt. The steady hand of Florent Geroux will be applied once again. I would not necessarily count out the other half of the entry, because she is by Jimmy Creed, a sire that has produced some very good runners. Ricardo Santana rides this 3-yr-old, taking over for Marcelino Pedroza. Even though her latest effort at the Fair Grounds against ALLW Co. did not work out for her, she clearly has a chance to demonstrate a better leg kick late in the game. I want to use both of these entries from Cox’s keep, but I am also interested in Tom Amoss’ Pipeline Girl #4 and Steve Asmussen’s Benedict Canyon #5. Amoss has not run all that often in Hot Springs, but he thinks this filly by Air Force Blue has what it takes to come to town. Owner Jerry Caroom is a fixture during the Meet, so that probably have something to do with this entry. She actually beat Cox’s #2 at the Fair Grounds, so that could be an angle to exploit once again. As for Asmussen’s attempt (he has 2 entered, actually), the HOF conditioner is leading in the trainer standings with 30 “wins,” and this filly by Midnight Lute is going for her 2nd start under the guidance of her new barn. The former Baffert “starlet” broke her maiden back at Del Mar in early September. Since then, she has not done much for Little Red feather Racing. That could change today … One other entry that looks pretty intriguing is Randy Morse’s class climber, Stanley Market #3. I backed this one in a Clm30kn2L contest back on 11 Feb., and the rewards were sweet at 12/1. Jon Court is aboard once again, and Morse has such a great approach to horsemanship. I am not sure that this filly by Twirling Candy is quite ready for this crowd, but I have to use her … she will be a superb price! Here is the bet I have constructed …

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 7 w 2/3/4/5 w 2/3/4/5

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Enjoy a Thursday trackside in Hot Springs! Best of luck on another run at Oaklawn Park! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!