We head to the west to Oaklawn Park in Arkansas for today’s race of the day. In today’s race, we have eleven older horses going the marathon distance of a mile and a half this afternoon.
Rain is in the forecast for today, but it appears the rain will be later in the evening. We will handicap today as a dry track but keep this in mind if the rain arrives earlier in the day.
Oaklawn Park Race 10 – Temperence Hill Stakes
Favored in the Temperence Hill Stakes is the 10 Sir Greylind (5/2 morning line). He just missed last month here at Oaklawn Park going a mile and a sixteenth. He almost went from last to first but missed by half a length. This gelding has never run further than nine furlongs. He might be better served to be closer to the pace than all the way in the back in a marathon race like this.
The 4 Masqueparade (9/2 ML) just missed in his first race back from a layoff finishing third by a length. This gelding won this race last year at Oaklawn but had not shown that much until that last race here last month. Look for him to try to repeat here today.
The 11 Lambeth (5/1 ML) dueled last time out here at Oaklawn and drew off to win handily last month. This colt is the son of Arrogate whose offspring win at an eye popping 24% (15 for 61) in marathon races of a mile and a quarter and longer. With Tapit on the dam’s side, Lambeth should have zero issues with the distance today.
The 6 Game Warden (4/1 ML) returns from a nearly four-month layoff with a win here at Oaklawn. He is the son of Tapit, who is one of the top sires in marathon races. This gelding should be near the pace and look to take over in the stretch.
Joe’s Pick
I admit that I do not like the post for the 11 Lambeth with the short run to the first of three turns in this marathon stakes race. But I think that he will be able to settle despite being wide on the first turn and make up for it the rest of the way.
I’ll take Lambeth to win as he appears to have the breeding to go the 12 furlongs here in this stakes race. I will call this 11-6-10-4 and my play is $20 to win on the 11. Best of luck everyone and I will see you in the winner’s circle!