Rick Lee’s Oaklawn Park selections and analysis
FIRST POST — 1:30 P.M.
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS 7-9 (77.7 percent) MEET 143-428 (33.4 percent) LEE’S LOCK Desert Madam in the fourth BEST BET Thirst for life in the eighth LONG SHOT Skol Sister in the third *educated guess
**things to like
***plenty to like
**** confident choice 1 Purse $23,000, 6 furlongs, 3-yearolds and up, claiming $10,000 ***CITALI finished a strong second in his return from a 13-month layoff, and he figures to benefit from the race and a drop in class. WHO CARES has not raced since June, but the Doug O’Neill trainee has the talent to win and recent workouts are encouraging. CEEKY lost a photo finish at today’s claiming price only two races back, and he does have consistent early speed. 2 Purse $32,000, 1 1/8 miles, 3-yearolds and up, Arkansas-bred, claiming $16,000 **MALLARD’S BRO is a good finisher who will appreciate the added ground. He is dropping to the lowest price of his career for winning connections and also receives a positive rider change. MR ARK has been a clear winner of his last two races around two turns, and he is a front-running threat if able to hold his form for new connections. BOGEY had a modest two-race winning streak snapped when finishing second behind Mr Ark on March 18, and he may have needed the race after a four-month freshening. 3 Purse $32,000, 6 furlongs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, maiden claiming $30,000 **SKOL SISTER is an unraced filly with a speedy pedigree. She is working well for a stable that excels with this kind, and she also drew into a subpar field
of maiden claimers. SHE’SGOTTHEBEAT finished well in an encouraging fourthplace debut, and she was flattered when the winner came back to defeat $16,000 conditioned claimers. SHOWIT has finished in-the-money in all five of her career races. She has early speed and is a must-use in multihorse wagers. 4 Purse $26,000, 1 1/8 miles, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up, starter allowance
**** DESERT MADAM was a 3-length winner when dropped to this level March 9, and she is again the controlling speed under leading rider Ricardo Santana. TIZWAY THAT WAY was forwardly placed when finishing second behind the top selection. She drew an improved post and keeps Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens. ZYANARA won a two-turn stake this winter at Delta, and she returns to the main track after a failed try on turf. 5 Purse $23,000, 1 mile, 3-year-olds and up, claiming $10,000 **FUTURE EXPRESS is taking a “hidden”
drop in class on the heels of a deceptive fifth-place finish. His Beyer figures are competitive, and he receives a positive rider change. ALABAMA TIDE has raced evenly in recent sprint races against better. He drew the rail and may get the distance as an older and more relaxed runner. TEXAS JAMBALAYA has rallied in consecutive third-place finishes against similar, and he does have the best of local connections. 6 Purse $20,000, 6 furlongs, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up, claiming $6,250
***MISS COCO is taking a significant drop in class for the leading trainer, and she will appreciate a fast track after two disappointing races on a wet surface. SULLYVIN’S G G has not raced since September, but she appears to be working smartly for her return. She is also the speed of the speed. PINCHME I’M DREAMIN finished fourth in her first race for trainer Steve Asmussen. She is taking a slight drop in class and will be a late threat if she draws into the race. 7 Purse $37,000, 6 furlongs, 4-yearolds and up, starter allowance ***CASH BONUS continues to climb the class ladder as he seeks a fourth consecutive victory, and he stands a big chance if he holds form for new trainer Tim Martin. CHUBBLE MAKER has made a determined run in winning back-toback starter allowance races, and he is improved since claimed by trainer Robertino Diodoro. ITER had a two-race winning streak snapped when finishing a close second behind Chubble Maker on March 25, and he is the most consistent finisher in the field. 8 Purse $85,000, 1 mile, 4-yearolds and up, allowance optional claiming
**** THIRST FOR LIFE has finished no worse than second in his last five races, including a second-place finish in the Grade III Mineshaft Handicap at Fair Grounds. STICKS STATELY DUDE went out too fast in a deceptive third-place finish, and the graded stake winner is dangerous on the lead if able to set a reasonable early pace. MALIBU MAX is moving up in class after a determined victory, and his Beyer figures are competitive. 9 Purse $23,000, 6 furlongs, 3-yearolds and up, Arkansas-bred, maiden claiming $16,000 ***MUNYAK has been forwardly placed in a pair of fourth-place maiden-allowance finishes, which have clearly earned the field’s fastest Beyer figures. AIN’T SEEN THE BALL was a disappointing fourth after a troubled third-place finish. He is reunited with rider David Cohen, and his best race may prove good enough. CLUTCH TIME showed good early speed before fading in his career debut, but he is dropping into a maiden claimer and wearing blinkers for the first time for high-percentage connections.