It’s Opening Day in Hot Springs, Arkansas as Oaklawn Park is back for the start of their 2024-2025 season. The featured race on their opening card is the Advent Stakes, which is for two-year-olds going five and a half furlongs.
Oaklawn Park Race 9 – Advent Stakes
Favored in today’s featured race is the 5 Innovator (1/1 morning line). He ran nine days ago at Churchill Downs and shows up here today at Oaklawn. He could not hold off Bob Baffert’s Barnes in the final strides after leading the entire race. He was much the best over the rest of the field, but just could not get the win. If there is a concern, He has three seconds in five starts.
Innovator could have some company on the front end. The 4 Perfect Magic (5/1 ML) broke his maiden in September at Churchill and shows back up here today after two failed turf attempts. He was near the front and took over to win.
The 1 Texas Creed (20/1 ML) comes in from Remington where he just missed in an allowance three weeks ago. He’s going to the front like he has the last few races, but will he be there in the end?
The 2 Three Echoes (4/1 ML) may benefit from a speed duel up front. He might not have won last time out at Remington, but he was squeezed on the turn. A cleaner trip today will help him win here today.
The 3 My Wife Is Right (20/1 ML) won on the slop at Remington last month but faces winners for the first time today. He has improved with each race, but there will need to be a massive improvement to win here today.
The 6 Kale’s Angel (5/2 ML) is from the first crop of Complexity’s offspring to race. He will make his dirt debut after four tries on the turf that includes a turf sprint win. His sire does get 18% winers in this first crop in dirt sprints, so the breeding suggests he should like the dirt, which is all he can run on at Oaklawn.
Joe’s Pick
I think Innovator is going to have some company on the front end here. Kale’s Angel would be best served to stalk from his outside position. But the trouble that Three Echoes has last time out at Remington is the reason why I am taking him to win here. I’ll call this race 2-6-5-4 and my play is $20 to win on the 2. Best of luck everyone and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!