US Horse Racing Tips: Three selections from Oaklawn Park

There is a cracking card at Oaklawn Park on Sunday, culminating in a trio of graded stakes.

The Grade 2 Rebel and Grade 3 Honeybee look legitimate Kentucky Derby and Oaks trials respectively. Before getting too involved, it may be worth watching the early races to see if certain posts or running styles seem to have an advantage. 

Oaklawn Park (22:07) - Take Charge Milady (each-way) @ SP

It could be a big stakes day for trainer Brad Cox. He is a big chance in the next race and a interesting price chance in the feature. His No1 Muhimma is the filly to beat here on her return. She was three for three as a juvenile, culminating in a Grade 2 victory at Aqueduct in December. She has been working well and has tactical speed.  

No1 Muhimma is likely to be a short price. Whilst not necessarily wanted to be against her, there are other in here that may have price appeal. No5 Quickick ran with credit twice against a very talented stablemate of No1 Muhimma. Latterly at The Breeders' Cup. She is one possibility.      

No13 Five G won a stake at Gulfstream by nine widening lengths at Gulfstream last month. If she can repeat that run from a wide post, she can go well. No9 Look Forward draws a little better. She's ran well in all career starts including a Grade 2 runner up over today's distance in California.     

The Ken McPeek trained pair are possible upsetters. No11 Anonima beat stablemate No6 Take Charge Milady in a maiden here in December. The form of that was franked when No11 Anonima graduated next time. That filly went on to beat No12 Quietside by five lengths in a local stake. She faces much tougher rivals here in No1 Muhimma and co but looks an improver. Maybe take her each way.   

No2 Necessity and No4 Classic Appeal are last time out maiden winners. Both could outrun their odds despite the big class rise. 

Oaklawn Park (22:45) - Skinner @ SP

No3 First Mission is probably the horse to beat. He's a multiple graded stakes winner and scored by five lengths at today's level on his one start at Oaklawn. He's not raced since August but his trainer Brad Cox has a fine record with lay off runners. Maybe No5 Skinner can get make his fitness tell on him. He won a Grade 3 at Del Mar in November. The five year old ran well at The Fair Grounds on his return but didn't get much pace to chase down. There is a chance here the late runner will get a better set up. 

No2 Banishing and No8 Baddest Good Boy are improving types. The first named made it a hat-trick when taking a local stake last month. That was over six furlongs but he has ran well over today's distance in the past. No8 Baddest Good Boy hasn't got the same CV but is two for two in his career. He may well be up to stakes level.       

No1 Crupi was a Grade 1 runner up last summer. He ran too bad to be true on his return at Gulfstream. No4 Alexander Helios won well in a lesser event at Gulfstream last month. He's another well worth a try in a graded event.

Oaklawn Park (23:23) - Innovator @ SP

An almost full field of promising three year olds entered. There may be some additional scratches in addition to the promising No10 Bullard. The well named No11 Speed King is only 50/50 to run according to his trainer. That could change the race shape, giving a better chance to the more forwardly ridden runners. He wired No3 Sandman and No13 Tiztastic in a local Grade 3 prep for this race. He's dangerous if he can get clear. His old rival No3 Sandman walked out of the gate when behind him. He is an obvious late player. No13 Tiztastic got a far from clean trip also. He gets a jockey upgrade to Jose Ortiz. 

Trainer Bob Baffert has farmed these three year old stakes at Oaklawn in recent years. He runs No5 Madaket Road here. It can be argued he didn't improve stepping up to a mile last time but he did run into a pair of top drawer runners.  

In a race of many chances, my two against the field are No2 Admiral Dennis and No8 Innovator. The first named may improve off a win at The Fair Grounds last month. No8 Innovator could be compromised in a speed duel, especially if No11 Speed King takes his chances. He did run deceptively well in a Grade 3 at The Fair Grounds last month. His trainer D Wayne Lukas is not the force he one was. Hat said, his horses seem to improve with racing.      

No1 Coal Battle is a stakes four timer so has to be respected. He seems to be to run big no matter what the race flow. His rail draw could be a big positive. No6 Publisher is a maiden who ran well behind No11 Speed King last time. Last time graduate No7 Dreaminblue can contend if he gets the extra distance. No4 Hypnus is The X Factor here. He could be anything based on his maiden win on his only start to date at The Fair Grounds.