ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 7, ENGAGE

FIRST RACE

Oaklawn launches its meet Friday with the Smarty Jones, which is a points race for the Kentucky Derby. The season gets underway with a starter allowance and LOVETHATCAUSE figures to be strong through the stretch on the cutback from two turns. CLEAR THE MINE is another turnback prospect and looking for him to make his case in the later stages. RAVENS REFLECTION has been sprinting and that might give him the jump on his rivals who are cutting back in distance. As for the race he exits, it’s produced three next-out winners. The fourth-place finisher, Masterly, came back in his next start to account for a $5K claimer at DeD with a Beyer Speed Figure of 73; the fifthplace finisher, Royal Privacy, a $4K claimer at DeD with a Beyer of 76; and the ninth-place finisher, Wonder Run, another $4K claimer at DeD, with a Beyer of 75.

SECOND RACE

COMPETITIVE FIRE shortens up some in distance and her best recent race came at this six furlong trip. She also goes for a high-percentage trainerjockey team in Holthus and Bowen. BLUEBIRD DAY is appealing as a runner who has been a popular claim among horsemen. BEAUTY DAY is back at one turn, site of her maiden win. Another of interest is LUCKY EVERY DAY.

THIRD RACE

HANDY has been effective on both fast and wet tracks in recent times and there was rain forecast for both the days leading up to the opener and on the first day of the meet, itself. This one is back in the straight claiming ranks after facing starter foes. SHARECROPPER was favored against steeper in his most recent start. FIRST RATE gives up recency to most of these but is appealing for his consistent nature and competitive Beyer Speed Figures.

FOURTH RACE

SMARTY’S ANGEL - an Arkansas-bred daughter of Smarty Jones - moves into the statebred ranks after launching her career at Keeneland. She ran a credible fifth in a maiden allowance and note the winner of the race, Littlestitious, returned in her next start to capture the My Trusty Cat Stakes at Delta Downs with a Beyer Speed Figure of 80. The dam of SMARTY’S ANGEL registered both of her wins in main track sprints. RACHIE RACH is another getting her first shot with Arkansas-breds with the meet now on at Oaklawn and she represented herself quite well against open maidens at Delta. HOT SPRINGS BLING brings both racing experience and a fun name to the card Friday. She’s from a mare who won five races. ARKANSAS BLING is from a stakes-winning mare who ran out $90K. FEMININE ALLURE’S dam was a Grade 3 winner of $394K.

FIFTH RACE

CAVE RUN was a winner the last time he raced for this price. KING OF THE COURT might be tough to contain were he to run back to the trio of 90-something Beyer Speed Figures he put up during the meet at Canterbury. He’s also proven over the local oval. BELIEVEINHOLIDAYS worked a sharp half-mile for the cutback from two turns. A stretch threat.

SIXTH RACE

SAFFA’S DAY turned a bullet five-eighths in 59.40 seconds here Jan. 12 in preparation for his first start at Oaklawn. He’s back in the overnight ranks following the stakes start in which he ran a credible fourth to a promising winner. This one was making his first two-turn start and put up a career-high Beyer Speed Figure. On a pedigree point, SAFFA’S DAY is from a stakes-winning mare who ran out $332K.

HE’SMYHONEYBADGER came rolling for second in his career debut and gets pedigree support for the move to two turns. He will be first Lasix. WINDCRACKER brings a nice foundation of races to the table for the mile trip and is further appealing for