Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, March 21
Check out VSiN At The Track to catch up on the latest horse racing news and picks in all the major stakes this weekend! Make sure to subscribe via Apple or Spotify to ensure you don’t miss an episode!
Fair Ground Oaks, Fair Grounds, Race #11
Let’s kick it off with points on the line for the Kentucky Oaks! I am excited to see #6 Life of Joy here, second off the layoff. I was high on this horse last year before a very odd trip in the Golden Rod where she was the favorite and was forever back early. She was not amazing first off the bench, but I like the fact that Cox rolls her back here, and the pace should set up well for her.
Speaking of the pace, #7 Love and Trust should be able to make the lead from the outside here, and if she is left alone, she could very well get brave. She caught a tough field in her debut and then improved nicely on the stretch out. She has every opportunity to improve again, especially if she is loose.
#5 Bella Ballerina is a deserving favorite here. She should be sharper here than last time out, but she will have to pounce from just off the pace today since there is much more speed than last time out. I have no issue with her except price. She is going to be even money or less here, and I just can’t swallow that with the talent to her outside.
#2 Newtown Pike is an interesting price shot if the pace heats up, but more likely to land underneath.
Top 4: 6-7-5-2
The Bets: $50 Win #6
Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, Race #12
We have a wide-open 100-point Derby prep here, so let’s take a shot with #8 Easterly for Brad Cox, who lost to fellow Derby hopeful Class President on debut before taking a nice step forward second time out and first time around two turns. He should sit a great trip right behind the speed, is bred to love the distance, and the price is right at 6-1, which should be slightly higher on race day.
#3 Chip Honcho has not been one of my favorites, but should get a great setup today on the lead. He got brave last time out and almost beat Paladin. He projects to be alone up front here and could lead this field for a very long time.
#9 Emerging Market is going to be the it horse here. He was huge first out for Brown at Tampa, but this was a surprise. He is 6-1 on the morning line, but likely will be the favorite post time, so I am going elsewhere.
#7 Blacksmith ships in for Baffert here and fits well if he can run back to his last at Santa Anita. He’s not a need the lead type, but has early pace. All of that should help here.
#5 Golden Tempo is the other player here. DeVaux adds blinkers to try to keep Tempo closer to the front. That will be a necessary change if he wants to win here. It’s more likely Golden Tempo is underneath than on top.
Top 4: 8-3-7-5
The Bets: $50 Win #8
