Rick Lee’s Oaklawn selections and analysis
FIRST POST — 12:30 P.M.
LEE’S LOCK Sarah Harper in the eighth
BEST BET Mo Choctaw in the second
LONG SHOT Young Bull in the seventh
SATURDAY’S RESULTS 2-10 (20%)
MEET 17-47 (36.2%)
CONFIDENCE RATINGS
**** confident choice ***plenty to like **things to like *educated guess
1 Purse $25,000, 6 furlongs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up which have never won two races, claiming $10,000
MY BOSS LADY*** ships from Illinois following three competitive races at a higher claiming price, and her Beyer figures are consistently fastest. UNHERDOF has been overmatched since breaking his maiden by 6 lengths at today’s price, and she does possess early speed. BABY CLOUD hit the board in both races last season at Oaklawn, and she lost all chance at the break in her most recent race at Delaware.
2 Purse $40,000, 6 furlongs, Arkansas-bred, 2-year-olds, maiden claiming $50,000
MO CHOCTAW **** is an unraced juvenile showing three months of good workouts, and he seems to have drawn into a soft field. Trainer John Prather does win with first-timers. BOTANY has recorded a pair of encouraging 5-furlong gate workouts, and trainer Ron Moquett gets the services of his goto rider Ricardo Santana Jr. SMOKIN BOOTS recorded a bullet 5-furlong gate work last month at Remington, and veteran trainer Joe Petalino has had a good 2021.
3 Purse $28,000, 1 1/16 miles, 3-yearolds and up, starter allowance
BRICE*** has used his speed to advantage winning six of nine races in 2021, and he is taking a big class drop after a fourth-place finish in graded stake company. EXULTING was a clear winner in a one-turn mile at this classification at Churchill, and the in-form runner has proven two-turn ability. GO FOR SHERRIE is in the midst of a seven-win season. He has earned competitive Beyer figures and has enough speed to be in striking position turning for home.
4 Purse $35,000, 6 furlongs, 2-yearolds, maiden claiming $40,000
LEAD OFF** had the same gate work time last month at Louisiana Downs as Peaceful Street, who broke her maiden at first asking last week for trainer Steve Asmussen. DRIFTER has earned the field’s fastest Beyer figures in consecutive in the money finishes, but the seven-race maiden may lack a willingness to win. LOOKIN GOOD SO FAR was all but eliminated at the start in his debut at Woodbine, but he did flash good speed once he recovered, and new trainer Norm McKnight has him working smartly.
5 Purse $27,000, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds and up which have never won two races, claiming $20,000
SPEIGHTSTOWN AGAIN** is dropping in class following a pair of one-paced efforts in Kentucky, and he is running for trainer Robertino Diodoro for the first time. ASSUMPTION has shown route speed in consecutive second-place allowance finishes in Ohio, and like many others has competitive Beyer figures. WHEREVER HE IS quickly drew off down the stretch in a sharp maiden allowance win at Delta. He has steadily improving form and a leading rider aboard.
6 Purse $84,000, 6 furlongs, 2-yearolds, maiden special weight
ROBERT’S GHOST** has a speedy, win-early pedigree and he is another Asmussen trainee showing a swift gate work at Louisiana Downs. MAASAI WARRIOR has good looking works dating back to June at Keeneland, and trainer Brad Cox has a strong win record in 2-year-old races. BACK TO NORMAL has terrific early speed and he has experience, and he will be treated with Lasix for the first time.
7 Purse $101,000, 6 furlongs, Arkansas-bred, allowance optional claiming
YOUNG BULL** has put six competitive races in succession in Louisiana, and he is a four-time winner at Oaklawn. He figures to be rallying behind a strong pace. TEMPT FATE won four races at Oaklawn last season, including a pair of restricted stakes, and he is clearly the one to beat after a one-paced tune-up Delta. BANDIT POINT was stake-placed last season at Oaklawn. He has the benefit of a race at the current meeting and needs a fast pace to win.
8 Purse $101,000, 6 furlongs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, allowance optional claiming
SARAH HARPER **** ships from Kentucky following dominating maiden and allowance victories. She possesses terrific speed and deserves favoritism. TIME LIMIT is a versatile filly with a good record sprinting on dirt or turf. She has speed and picks up a leading rider. PERFECT HAPPINESS finished second at this condition just two races back at Churchill, and she has recorded two sharp subsequent breezes over this track.
9 Purse $100,000, 1 1/16 miles, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, allowance
ABSOLUTE LOVE** has won four of her last five races, while competing at three venues. She has route speed and drew a favorable post position. MISTY VEIL has finished second in three of her four races at this allowance condition. She possesses good early speed and represents winning connections. SENSE YOU LEFT has won three consecutive two-turn races in Kentucky, and she appears sharp enough to move up and contend.