Quills Picks Winners - Saturday 4/18 - Oaklawn Races 6 & 9
The main event of the day is the Oaklawn Handicap and what a race this should be! Sovereignty, last year’s Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner, and Journalism, last year’s Preakness winner, returns from layoffs this evening in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap.
A shorter field of six are entered in this race. These older horses will go a mile and an eighth in the signature older race of the Oaklawn meet.
Oaklawn Race 11 – Oaklawn Handicap
The 3 Sovereignty (4/5 morning line) races for the first time since the Travers last summer at Saratoga. Unfortunately, he spiked a fever in the days leading up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic and was scratched. He won the biggest races last year. His running style of stalking the pace will benefit him today.
The 5 Journalism (5/2 ML) won the Preakness and the Haskell last year but could not defeat Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. He appears to have a similar trip to the favorite today and might turn into who has the stronger kick down the Hot Springs stretch.
The 1 White Abarrio (7/2 ML) finished second in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream in January. He returns this afternoon looking to win outside of his home track today. Eight of his ten wins have been at Gulfstream. It appears that he might assume the lead here after drawing the rail here for this big race.
The 6 Publisher (15/1 ML) is intriguing to me. It took him 13 tries to break his maiden, but most of those races were against stakes company, including a trip to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. He figures to be a few steps behind the big three, but the light bulb did turn on when he finally broke his maiden here and then won two more in March. With rain in the forecast, can he steal this?
Joe’s Pick
Rain is in the forecast, so expect a wet track. Sovereignty defeated Journalism in the slop in the Kentucky Derby last year. This race is about these two horses though White Abarrio might tell you otherwise.
The top two horses are getting the press, and they will not disappoint this evening. I am a fan of horses sired by Curlin when it comes to races on wet tracks. Since Journalism is sired by Curlin, I will take him to turn the tables on Sovereignty this year in what should be a memorable Oaklawn Handicap.
I’m calling this race 5-3-1-6 and my play is $20 to win on the 5. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
