Daily Racing Form expert handicapper and analyst Mary Rampellini handicaps the Sunday, February 8 racing card at Oaklawn Park, including her projected 1-2-3 finishers. Her best bet of the day comes from Race 8.
Also, view FREE DRF Past Performances for today’s Race of the Day.
BEST BET: Roll On Big Joe (8th race)
Eighth Race
1. Roll On Big Joe
2. Wendelssohn
3. Bourbon Bash
ROLL ON BIG JOE has won stakes from Arkansas to Kentucky to Southern California. He appears to have more natural speed than a number of these and he also owns the field’s best recent Beyer Figures. The one to beat. WENDELSSOHN is back on dirt and back racing over six furlongs and the last time he raced under such “conditions” he won the Thanksgiving Classic at Fair Grounds. Capable. BOURBON BASH ran a big race off the bench and could get a nice kind of trip just off the speed. He’s had good success at Oaklawn.
Here are Mary’s thoughts on the other nine races on Sunday’s Oaklawn Park card.
First Race
1. Bolt’s Treasure
2. Good News Rocket
3. Amentum
The exciting sprinter Roll On Big Joe returns to Arkansas for the King Cotton, which highlights a special Super Bowl Sunday card at Oaklawn. In the opener, BOLT’S TREASURE gets the nod after running third against steeper in his most recent start. He also could be sitting on a peak effort in his third out since October. GOOD NEWS ROCKET makes his first start since July, but goes for a hot trainer-jockey combo in Asmussen and Asmussen, who had a triple together Thursday. The also-eliglble AMENTUM appears to be working his way into the winner’s circle.
Second Race
1. Brilliant Man
2. Tyler’s Turn
3. Phenomenal Dream
BRILLIANT MAN removes blinkers and his maiden win came without the equipment. TYLER’S TURN is back on dirt, site of his maiden win. PHENOMENAL DREAM has a mile and a sixteenth race under his belt.
Third Race
1. She’s So Coal
2. Big Red Machine
3. Tiz in Sight
SHE’S SO COAL is a full sister to Haulin Ice, the all-time leading earner among Arkansas-breds. This one cuts back to one turn after showing speed around two, and that can be an effective move with a horse. BIG RED MACHINE was a sharp debut winner, while TIZ IN SIGHT is a two-time winner in what gives her something of an experience edge on these.
Fourth Race
1. Time for Music
2. Our Magical Moon
3. Honey’s to Blame
TIME FOR MUSIC is back in the overnight ranks after facing stakes foes last time out. OUR MAGICAL MOON was a notable maiden winner at this distance in December at Oaklawn. HONEY’S TO BLAME should be sharp for the move back to two turns – where he has fared well – off the sprint start at Oaklawn. Like many of the newly-turned 3-year-olds in this spot, he will be first Lasix.
Fifth Race
1. Promises to Dance
2. Miss Arlington
3. Demi
PROMISES TO DANCE has speed and is further appealing from a class standpoint as she is one who has seen steeper. MISS ARLINGTON ran a fine race off the bench last time and has reason to move forward in what will be her second start back. DEMI fits with these.
Sixth Race
1. Rockin Robin
2. Dare Greatly
3. Joke Maker
ROCKIN ROBIN was second last out to Search Party, who was to have run back Friday at Oaklawn in the Martha Washington Stakes. DARE GREATLY hooked a good one in Mythical when based in Florida. JOKE MAKER has a nice foundation of races for the move to two turns.
Seventh Race
1. Hern
2. Black Powder
3. Uncle Caesar
HERN was second off the bench in his most recent start and for the effort earned what ranks as this field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure. BLACK POWDER has seen steeper and could also be sitting on a peak effort in the third start of his form cycle. UNCLE CAESAR is more than capable. This will be his second out since September.
Ninth Race
1. You’ll Be Back
2. Untamed Moment
3. Filly Crystal
YOU’LL BE BACK is admirable for her consistent nature. She ran a fine race off the bench last time and would seem to have reason to move forward in her second out since May. UNTAMED MOMENT popped a notable Beyer Speed Figure last out, when meeting winners for the first time. FILLY CRYSTAL is a seasoned runner, with four career wins under her belt.
Tenth Race
1. Secret Slew
2. Miss Chocolatte
3. Paroli
SECRET SLEW and MISS CHOCOLATTE both faced She’s So Coal last out and note that one was to have run back earlier on the card. She’s So Coal is a full sister to Haulin Ice, the all-time leading earner among Arkansas-breds. PAROLI owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Figure.
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