The Ductor needs to get back to capping every day, but man it is hard with the state of winter racing. The Ductor wants to save you horse racing, but other than Saturdays, these cards stink. He needs quality turf racing back like he needs air to breathe. The Ductor’s attention has turned to Oaklawn this week with the Rebel this weekend ahead. The late pick 5 Friday is an interesting sequence, it has a chance to pay. Skip.
Race 5: 6 Furlongs. Clm 16000
#9 Espionage (8/1) – This race is wide open and looks like a good spot to get a price. This colt won in a very similar scenario in his season debut at Oaklawn last year. He draws a nice outside post and has early speed in a sprint without much early pace. He can keep a close eye on his inside opposition and pounce.
#5 Big Nick (15/1) – This morning line can’t be accurate. However, he will still be a good price and he has the best early pace figures in the field. This gelding dueled on the inside last time an faltered against a much tougher group. In his race two back, he lost by a neck at this level. It could be argued that the slop moved him up that day, but he’s run similar numbers on a fast dirt track and it could have been the barn switch. The Ductor sees him carrying his speed a lot longer today.
Race 6: 6 Furlongs. F.MC 12500
#5 Bidofhoney (3/1) – This is a terrible field and this filly is working well for Hartman who is a ridiculous 34% at the meet. 45/65 of his runners have hit the board….nothing to see here. Unfortunately for horseplayers, sometimes if you can’t beat them, join them.
Race 7: 1 Mile. F.Clm 25000b
*Gullet Shot of the Day #4 Black Kat Taps (12/1) – Another race to go price shopping, this mare is sneaky stretching out in her 3rd start off the layoff. Throw out her last race in the slop and her numbers fit with this group. She gets major class relief today and her best races come at this distance. She’s be taking on her weakest field in over a year.
Race 8: 1 1/16 Mile. Alw 104000n2L
#2 Film Star (3/1) – This colt’s work tab at Oaklawn for Cox suggests he’s going to run off the screen. With his lone win coming in he slop the Ductor would normally be against this colt at a short price. However, there isn’t a ton to like in here as alternatives. #3 Summer in Malibu (8/1) and #1 Mahammel (5/2) are the logiacal alternatives.
Race 9: 1 Mile. F.Mdn 90k
#3 Star of Tomorrow (20/1) – This filly has a very interesting work tab with a series of slow works followed by a bullet going 5 furlongs. The Ductor likes the look of it and she’s well meant with a 120k purchase price and the top rider aboard. The Ingrid Mason barn is 3% for the meet and that should steer the public away. She hasn’t had a 1st time starter win lately, but she’s 12% for her career. The Ductor has that feeling in his right knee that she’ll be his star today.
#2 Stellar Lily (2/1) – She’s the logical favorite and has an early pace edge over this group in her first time stretching out. Gate to wire would be no surprise.
