Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
ANALYSIS
FIRST RACE
There is a stakes double on the card Saturday, with Mitole, who won his maiden with a Beyer Speed Figure of 96, leading the Gazebo, and Easter Indy looking for her third straight win in the Downthedustyroad. In the opener, SNICKERBOXER is returning to the level of his last win. FREESTYLER can make a real impact with a repeat of some of his past races and he would seem to have reason to move forward here, in his second start since December. BAD STUDENT makes the move back to two turns off a good third last out in a comeback sprint that marked his first out since August. He is seeking career win No. 15 and his fourth victory at Oaklawn.
SECOND RACE
BRAVE JOHN ran a strong race off the bench last out and has reason to move forward in what will be his second out since November. He also has class appeal as one who has been facing steeper. FARLEY is another who has met steeper and note the winner of the race he exits was to start as the probable favorite in Saturday night’s $100K Maxxam Gold Cup at Sam Houston. NICKY NUMBERS might be best served if the track is fast after catching a wet surface last out in what also marked his first race since November.
THIRD RACE
GRACELAND split the field last out in her seasonal debut, which marked her first race since October. She would seem to have reason to move forward in her second race back and she also makes the meaningful move to the maiden claiming ranks for the first time. SERIOUS I CANDY is another making her second start off the layoff. She might show the way or track the pace in what might give her a tactical advantage in this spot. ITHAPPENEDINVEGAS gives up recency to these but makes the meaningful move to the maiden claiming ranks for the first time.
FOURTH RACE
DR. CLARK showed good speed against steeper last out and that makes him appealing. He also draws a post that might give Cohen options. SKY WONDER cleared his N3L condition two back and represented himself well last out against open foes. He could be sitting on a peak race here, in his third start since October. BUD RO and HILLBILLY ROYALTY fit with these.
FIFTH RACE
MAHALO JOHN was third last out in a quick race and the start was his first since July. He would seem to have reason to move forward. SEVEN FORTY SEVEN was a memorable maiden winner last year at Oaklawn. This marks his second out since April. ENTERTAINER exits a quick race and note the winner returned to score one start later, again in good time at Oaklawn. Another of interest is the comebacking KING ABNER.
SIXTH RACE
SOARING BIRD was second last out to Mitole, who earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96 and who is to run back later on the card in the Gazebo. SOARING BIRD is from a multiple stakes-winning mare who ran out $443K. LIMATION was favored in his debut last out and ran a credible third to Exclamation Point, who is a half-brother to champion Classic Empire. LIMATION is appealing as a January foal. FLORIDA BOYS hooked a quality runner in his debut in New York Central. MOGOWAN is from a stakes-winning mare who ran out $286K.
SEVENTH RACE
MINISTRY defeated a number of these last out in a deep allowance that marked her first race since May. She has a useful stalking style, an excellent record over the local strip, and owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Figure. JERI BELLA exits same race as top choice, finishing second in what was her first out since October. She showed good speed and has reason to move forward in her second start back. EASTER INDY has won the Downthedustyroad each of the last two years. This marks her second start since October. EASTER INDY boasts a 5-for-12 record at Oaklawn.
EIGHTH RACE
MITOLE ran a powerful race in his debut, when he cruised by 10 lengths and popped a Beyer Speed Figure of 96. He might be tough to contain were he to run back to that number in this afternoon’s Gazebo. MITOLE has some strong company lines, having faced a quality kind of winner in his debut, while the runner he was second to in January at Oaklawn is bound for the Sunland Derby, according to that one’s trainer, D. Wayne Lukas. DIRECT DIAL is one of the most accomplished members of the field as a two-time winner, with one of those victories coming in a stakes. He set the pace over a laboring track last out at Hou, and he seems like one who can move forward here, in his second start since November. DIRECT DIAL is a full brother to stakes winners Scooter’s Choice ($113K) and Shaded ($110K). DRC ALL INCLUSIVE brings good racing experience to the table and owns some competitive Beyer Figures. He is a half-brother to Group 1 winner My Friend Bruce ($93K) and stakes winner Quite Acceptable ($104K). WILD CARAMELO is out of a stakes-winning mare who ran out $238K.
NINTH RACE
BLOOM BABY ran a big race in her two-turn debut last out, when second by a neck. She shortens up some here and her speed should serve her well at this mile trip, a race that ends at the sixteenth pole at Oaklawn. TWO STEP DANCER was second at this distance las tout at Oaklawn. She is a logical choice back. KLASSIE CONNECT brings a nice foundation of races to the table, while CARD CLUB exits a key race. The third-place finisher came back to account for a $25K maiden claimer at GP with a Beyer of 54, and the seventh-place finisher, Sophie’s Angel, a $30K maiden claimer at OP, with a Beyer of 50.