By Joe Quillen
Oaklawn Park Race 9 – Temperence Hill Stakes
We stay at Oaklawn Park for their Good Friday card, and we have a very interesting race here as we have 13 horses entered for the Temperence Hill Stakes, which is a race for older horses going a mile in a half. Thirteen horses are entered, but only 12 will run in this race, as it was already announced on Twitter that Ethereal Road will be scratched from today’s race to run in the opening race of Saturday’s Oaklawn Park card.
Favored in today’s race is the 7 Speed Bias (7/2 morning line) who was wide all the way around in the Razorback last month here at Oaklawn. He should be forwardly placed, but the pace that you will see today should be slower than the races that Speed Bias has been in the past because this is a much longer race, and most of these horses have not run this marathon distance before.
The 12 Classic Causeway (9/2 ML) is a grade 1 winner who returns after a failed trip over to Europe over last summer. He has won marathon type distances, but they have been on the turf. He ran well last year returning from a layoff, but he’s going longer today. He needs things his own way to win, which is on the front end, but can he slow the pace down going 12 furlongs?
The 13 Red Run (4/1 ML) returns from a two-month break and returns to the dirt for the first time since last summer at Satatoga. He’s experienced at this distance, which is something you can’t say about the other eleven potential runners here. The first of three turns will come quick, but the pace should be slow enough that he won’t have to worry about potentially being way wide on that first turn. Having run well at this distance in the past will help him immensely.
The 6 Strong Tide (6/1 ML) has won at this distance, but it was back in 2021. He returns after last running in Indiana last summer, but if this field goes too fast, he might pick up the pieces at a price.
The 4 Double Crown (15/1 ML) does have five stakes wins on his resume, has been running well at Laurel Park. But he will need to get furlongs 10, 11 and 12 to win here.
In a race like this, I’m looking at two things. I’m looking for horses that can go a marathon distance, and who can win stakes races. I mentioned Classic Causeway but I think he fades. I’ll take the experienced horse at this distance on the dirt, which is Red Run despite the outside post. I’ll call this 13-6-7-4, and my play is $20 to win on the 13. Good luck everyone!
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