ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 8, MEGATAP

FIRST RACE

The card Saturday features the $150K Gazebo that drew Cazadero, winner of last year’s Bashford Manor, and the unbeaten Jaxon Traveler. In the opener, CATECHISM gets the nod off a runner-up finish at this same level last out at Oaklawn. The start was her first in about four months and she set the pace to the late stages in a strong effort. RED BOTTOM REBEL has speed and draws a post that might give Arrieta options. CLEAR STEPS is making her first start against older rivals, but owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Figure.

SECOND RACE

Taking a simple approach here, with TALLANDLONG in the top spot after running second in her debut. VERY SPICY finished right behind her in third, while NO DIRECT MATCHES exits the same race and was fourth. TALLANDLONG also owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Figure.

THIRD RACE

LUNA FORTIS is appealing for the quality of race she exits. The winner was one of several stakes winners in the field. FOREVERNOA has turned in two strong races in her first starts over the local strip, and in both she set the pace. Looking for more of the same in this spot. LAURIEANN has speed, too. She defeated a few of these last out, when tracking the pace and moving past FOREVERNOA. This one is seeking her third straight win. There’s a chance GHAALEB THE GREAT could take these a long way on the lead on the move from six panels to a mile and a sixteenth. An interesting prospect.

FOURTH RACE

FLEETA BELLE might prove to be the one these will have to catch. She set the pace over five and a half furlongs last time and now moves to six panels. FLEETA BELLE also might benefit if the strip is fast after catching tiring tracks in each of her last two starts. WAR BALLAD picks up a tad more real estate here and suspect it will serve her well as her last win came at this six furlong distance. SHOWIT is a nine-time winner.

FIFTH RACE

HIGH PROOF hooked a tough field of horses upon his return to Oaklawn in January. He won his maiden here last May. The score came at this distance. GREELEY AND BEN was just edged in a quick race last time and is a logical choice back. He has the speed to hold his position from the rail and owns one of this field’s best last-race Beyer Figures. COACH ADAMS exits same quick race as top choice, finishing third. He’s compiled a strong record at Oaklawn.

SIXTH RACE

SHES GOT IT and NORTHERN DIAMOND are both appealing for their racing experience and competitive Beyer Figures. Both also have the benefit of starts at Oaklawn. The outside draw seems like a plus for SHES GOT IT. MARTIQUE MISS exits a Del Mar race that has become a key one. The thirdplace finisher came back to take a $50K starter at LRC with a Beyer of 60; the fifth-place finisher, Mama Superior, a $30K maiden claimer at LRC with a Beyer of 45; and the sixth-place finisher, Chevelita, a $40K maiden claimer at SA, with a Beyer of 74. KNOT ANYMORE goes for a stallion who gets winners early. This one shows some strong works.

SEVENTH RACE

HIDDEN PROMISE was fourth last out in a quick race and the start was his first since December.