It is a huge day at Oaklawn this afternoon and we are taking a look at their three stakes races this afternoon. The next article will contain the return of the Sovereignty and Journalism rivalry, if we can call it that.
But here we will focus on the three-year-olds. First, the boys will go a mile and an eighth in the Bathhouse Row Stakes with a potential berth in the Preakness on the line. Then we will skip ahead to race nine as three-year-old fillies will go one mile in the Valley of the Vapors Stakes.
Oaklawn Race 6 – Bathhouse Row Stakes
We begin our portion of the afternoon with race six on the card, and three-year-olds will go a mile and an eighth in the Bathhouse Row Stakes. Favored is the 2 Western Warrior (8/5 morning line). He is three for three this year with all three wins here at Oaklawn. He has the ability to be closer to the pace or off it, so the versatility is there.
The 3 Chad Allen (7/2 ML) closed well but just missed in an allowance race last time out. He has improved as the season progressed, but he could bounce off of that performance last time out.
The 8 Royalamerican (8/1 ML) won two in a row at Will Rogers Downs while sprinting. This is a gelding that will benefit from the two turns here. His only race in open company in the Springboard Mile was not as bad as it looked.
The 6 Honey’s to Blame (3/1 ML) faced state bred allowance foes and lost by a neck last month after an awkward start. He did take a shot against the big boys in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes on March 1 and did not go well. The step up here is not as steep as that jump to Grade 2 company looking for a berth in the Kentucky Derby.
Joe’s Bathhouse Row Pick
Western Warrior is going to be tough here, but I think he is beatable. I admit when I looked that those Will Rogers Downs races for Royalamerican, I kept saying why are they sprinting him. He gets the chance to go long today and I think he can step up from a minor league type Oklahoma track to Oaklawn today closing for an upset win.
I’m calling this race 8-2-6-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 8.
Oaklawn Race 9 – Valley of the Vapors Stakes
The three-year-old fillies are in the spotlight next in the Valley of the Vapors Stakes. These fillies will go one mile and this will be a short stretch finish.
Favored is the 6 Sticker Shock (9/5 ML). He finished fourth, well behind the winner, in the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes here last month. Previously she won an optional claiming race here in February coming off of a three-month layoff. She appears to want to be closer to the pace, if not set the pace like she did when she broke her maiden at Churchill Downs. She appears to be a stalker in this race.
The 8 Knickleandime (5/2 ML) is the speed of this race. She wants and needs the lead and has run that way in all her two-turn races. She appears to be the horse to catch here today from the outside post. She drew off to win last month here.
The 5 Scot’s Law (2/1 ML) appears to be a stalker in this race. She was behind Sticker Shock and could not get by late. She did have a wide trip which may have contributed to the finish, but she should be in perfect position late to get up.
The 1 Spitfire (6/1 ML) appears to be the closer in this race. She finished second to Knickelandime last time out and could not keep up with the runaway winner. She has the best closing kick, but she might need an insane pace today to win.
Joe’s Valley of the Vapors Pick
Sticker Shock drops in class today and she will be dangerous. I think she will sit right behind Knickelandime and will pass by the leader late to win.
I’m calling this race 6-8-1-5 and my play is $20 to win on the 6. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
