After a weekend of great racing, we stay at Oaklawn Park for one more day as they are running what was originally their Sunday card today because of winter weather issues during the week.
Today’s featured race is the ninth of ten races on Oaklawn’s card today. Our race today is the Dixie Belle Stakes where three-year-old fillies will sprint six furlongs today.
Oaklawn Race 9 – Dixie Belle Stakes
We have eight fillies entered for today’s race, but at the most, seven fillies will run. That is because the 2 Gunite Max will be scratched as she ran in the Honeybee Stakes yesterday and finished eleventh.
Favored in the Dixie Belle today is the 7 G W’s Girl (7/5 ML). She won the Mockingbird after a three-month layoff. She was steered four-wide and ended up winning her dirt debut at Oaklawn last month. Look for her to close here just like she did last time out as well as the previous two races on the turf last fall.
The 4 You’ll Be Back (3/1 ML) finished second last time out at Oaklawn in the Year’s End going one mile in the mud. She shortens up here today to six furlongs where she broke her maiden at the end of November. If she runs a similar race she will be able to close into the leaders in the stretch.
The 8 Miss Martini (4/1 ML) broke her maiden last time out at Oaklawn at the end of December. She faces winners for the first time here today and probably be on the front end here today.
The 6 Whata Moon (8/1 ML) returns to a sprint after going for the lead in a two-turn race at Fair Grounds and was eased. She returns to a sprint here today but the question is whether she ends up on the lead again or can rate.
Joe’s Dixie Belle Pick
There is speed in this race. Not only will Whata Moon try to get to the front, so will the 5 Spankerboom (20/1 ML). Things will set up nicely for the closers. I will take You’ll Be Back as she will be back to sprinting today and will be closing like she was two races back.
I’m calling this race 4-7-8-6 and my play is $20 to win on the 4. Best of luck to everyone and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
