$100k Downthedustyroad

$100,000 Downthedustyroad
Oaklawn Park

Race 8 (Saturday, February 23, 2019: 5:41 p.m./ET; 2:41 p.m./PT)

Six furlongs on the main track (Arkansas-bred, fillies and mares three-years-old and upward)

Arkansas-bred filly and mare sprinters take flight this Saturday in the feature race on the Oaklawn program. A competitive group is lined up here, so let’s try to pick a winner:

#1 FASTANISTA has not won since January of 2017. Almost all of her losses have come against allowance and claiming company. Siding with others.

#2 FIREWATER ROCKET makes her first start since October for trainer Kellyn Gorder, who wins at a 15% clip with runners making their first start off a layoff between 61-180 days. Her last three races have resulted in off-the-board finishes and that poor recent form makes me looking elsewhere.

#3 SUPERSTAR BEA is another one coming off a layoff. This gal was last seen finishing second in a two-turn turf route event at Canterbury last July and makes her stakes debut in this spot. Two of her three lifetime wins have come sprinting on dirt, but trainer McLean Robertson is 0-for-31 with trainees making their first start off a break over 180 days. May need one.  

#4 EASTER INDY won this race in 2017 at odds of 7/2, but has not been seen since last October when winning an allowance race at Thistledown. Five of her six lifetime wins have come over this main track and she sports some decent workouts for trainer William Martin, who can win with runners coming off of layoffs. Must consider.

#5 JERI BELLA makes her second start off a seven-and-a-half month break. In her first race off the layoff, she lost by 24 lengths in an allowance race. Her lifetime win record reads 2-for-27, with 10 other in-the-money finishes. An exotics placing may be her ceiling.

#6 USUAL SUSPECT is a lightly raced filly making her first start for the high percentage Karl Broberg barn. Daughter of PRIMARY SUSPECT broke her maiden by daylight in her career debut before two abysmal performances against winners. It looks like she is up against it from a class and experience perspective, but the new barn knows how to improve horses and win. For that reason, wouldn’t totally discount.

#7 GEORGIA’S REWARD sports a sharp five-furlong bullet work leading up to this race for trainer Ron Moquett, who typically has a good Oaklawn meet every year. Filly won the Rainbow Miss Stakes over this track last year, but hasn’t been seen since October, 2018. Will be a major player if she puts up her A+ effort.

#8 EURO ME easily defeated Arkansas-bred allowance company last time and makes her stakes debut in lifetime start number 15. Speed figures indicate she may be a notch or two below the best signed on, but keep in mind she possesses race fitness over many others in here. Contender.

#9 MS FIFTY FIRST ST. ran third in this race last year. She made her first start off a nine-month break last time out and never threatened. Mixed feelings, but her best race makes her a legit candidate to win.

SELECTIONS

1. #7 GEORGIA’S REWARD – Bullet workout in holster.

2. #4 EASTER INDY – Likes track & distance.  

3. #9 MS FIFTY FIRST ST. – Leading jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. aboard.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- #8 EURO ME – Both career wins with this jock in saddle.

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll make a win bet on my top pick and box my top two selections and longshot value play in an exacta box.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$20 Win: #7 GEORGIA’S REWARD

$5 Exacta Box: #4 EASTER INDY and #7 GEORGIA’S REWARD and #8 EURO ME ($30).