Hopefully the rain holds off Saturday at Oaklawn for the 2023 Rebel Stakes. It probably won’t and a great card will be ruined. Skip.
Oaklawn Race 8: 6 Furlongs. OC 50000n2x
#5 Improbable Journey (12/1) – When this gelding clears to the front he can win and his early pace figures give him a chance to here. There looks to be some rain in the forecast and the wet track further improves his chances. It’s more probable that he steals this one on the front end.
Other Contenders: #1 Flap Jack (2/1), #3 Senor Jobim (12/1), #6 Spankster (5/2), #8 Albizu (3/1)
Race 9: 6 Furlongs. OC 50000n2x
#2 Golden Hornet (4/1) – This is another gelding that has an early pace advantage in an Oaklawn sprint. He showed real grit fighting back after being headed in the stretch last time. The Ductor will back him again today if this morning line holds.
Other Contenders: #4 Osbourne (8/5). #9 Life is Hard (3/1), #10 Fore Left (10/1)
Race 10: 1 1/16 Mile. F.G3 Honeybee Stakes
*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Effortlesslyelgant (20/1) – His morning line can’t be accurate. He’ll still be a good price and he’s a wild card stretching out to a route for the first time. He ran a strong number in the slop sprinting last time and this race does not have a lot of other early pace. He should be able to clear from the rail and there’s no telling how far he wants to go. At the price he’ll be, he needs to be included on any passenger’s tickets.
Other Contenders: #3 Grand Love (3/1), #4 Gambling Girl (12/1), #7 Wet Paint (7/2)
Race 11: 1 1/16 Mile. G2 Rebel Stakes
#3 Red Route Run (10/1) – He’s the price the Ductor likes best in the is race and the one he’ll key around. He ran very well in the Jockey Club Gold Cup last fall where he was shut off in the stretch and never quit. He returned off the bench last time and showed a good closing kick behind the odds on favorite Arabian Night. With a step forward 2nd off the layoff he can win this race and he’ll be finishing best. At worse he’ll inject value into the exacta and trifecta.
Other Contenders: #1 Verifying (2/1), #5 Giant Mischief (5/2), #6 Reincarnate (7/2)
Other Contenders: #1 Verifying (2/1), #5 Giant Mischief (5/2), #6 Reincarnate (7/2)
Race 12: 6 Furlongs. S.Mdn 90k
#7 Midnight Taxes (3/1) – This looks like a chalky finale at Oaklawn to the Ductor. #10 Time Andbeyond (5/2) is a formidable favorite after overcoming serious trouble at the start last time. The Ductor is still going to try and beat him with the early pace advantage Midnight Taxes has over this group. This gelding will be able to get the early lead and moving to the Hartman barn, he wont stop. He’ll make thee Ductor’s 2024’s check to uncle Sam much larger.
