International Racing: Oaklawn Park – Friday 03 April 2020 (Dirt)

The Team from Winning Form bring you all of their best bets from this evening’s racing taking place at Oaklawn Park in the USA. 

Best Bet: TEMPT FATE (Race 5)
Value Bet: PIRATE’S PUNCH (Race 8) 

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Race 1 
DEFENDER disappointed last time out when racing wide over this distance, but he finished off his race well to win three runs back and looks to be the one to side with here, jumping from a handy draw. BULLDAT was outrun late in his last start but won his penultimate outing over seven furlongs and looks the immediate danger to the former. VIOLENT STORM raced three wide in his last start over this trip, but still managed to grind out the win. He needs to be respected in this line-up. ROAR OF THE LION needs to bounce back to his earlier form to threaten the top three selections here.

Race 2
FAYETTE WARRIOR weakened in his last outing but finished off his penultimate start well to win going away. He has a wide daw to deal with, but with a bit of luck in the running, he should be right up there when they hit the wire. MARK OF THE Z likes to set the pace in his runs and was only reeled in late last time out. He should be respected here. ST. LOUIE GUY tried to make every post a winning one when overhauled close to home over this distance last time out. A repeat of that effort would see him involved in the finish here. RAVENS REFLETION is another who likes to race up with the speed. He did not kick on in his last outing, but he could be dangerous if allowed a big lead.

Race 3 
RONAMO has consistent recent form to his name and will be hoping to go one better today after finishing second last time out. From his handy draw, he could be the one to side with. SPECULAR STAGNATION is lightly raced having had just the three starts to date, but if he is able to reproduce his penultimate effort, he could trouble the top choice. RUNNIN’ RAY never got into the race last time out, but he raced handy in his penultimate outing and then stayed on in the closing stages to finish a close-up second. SECOND LINE DAVID has only had the one start. He was not disgraced that day and would have learnt from the experience. With the natural improvement that can be expected, he may be able to make his presence felt here.       

Race 4
DUKES UP did not get the best of starts last time out and then raced three wide to ultimately finish some way off the winner. A repeat of his penultimate effort where he ran out a comfortable winner would make him a big contender here, starting from pole position. KENZOU’S RHYTHM raced three wide last time out and then hung in the closing stages of his last race. That performance is best ignored. He is drawn one outside the former and if getting back to his best, he should be involved in the finish here. MALIBU PRO seldom finishes too far behind the action but raced three wide last time out and should once again put in an honest showing here. Marti Caria in the irons is a plus. MIGHTY MANFRED jumped the worst last time out and never recovered, but his form prior to that effort was solid and if getting away on terms today, he should be a factor in this field.   

Race 5 
TEMPT FATE showed good improvement to finish third just behind the winner second time out and if he has continued along that path, he should be a leading contender here with Joseph Talamo in the saddle. THORNISH looks to be the obvious danger. He has also only had the two outings and could have further improvement to offer. He jumps from pole position and gets the services of Ricardo Santana. CHICKEN HAWK has only had the one run, which was a tad disappointing, but he is sure to have come on with the run under his belt and should not be lightly dismissed. ROCKTHEPULPIT tried hard to chase down the winner in his last outing and although drawn wideish, he should be doing his best work late.

Race 6
HARDLY A SECRET has consistent formlines to his credit and will be hoping to notch up another victory today. He hit the front some way out to win going away last time out. MORSE CODE stayed on in his last outing and starting from a handy draw, he could threaten the former. MOMENT likes to race handy and stayed on in the closing stages of his last start. He gets the services of David Cohen which is a plus. DR. HIPP raced three wide and then understandably had nothing to offer over the closing stages last time. His previous form was encouraging and if repeating those efforts, he should be a factor today.

Race 7 
SUMMER STORM drops back in trip after not going on with her effort last time out over six furlongs and should appreciate the drop in distance today. JEWEL THIEF has her peak run today. She has only had the three outings to date and seems to have more to offer after winning on debut and finishing a close second last time out. WAR BALLADS’ last run was decent considering that she raced two/three wide, but still did not finish that far off the winner. Starting from a handy draw, she should be right up there in the firing line. FULLY AWARE won well on debut over six furlongs and although taking on stronger here, she may just be up to the task at hand.           

Race 8
PIRATE’S PUNCH has ultra-consistent form to his name and will be hoping to be rewarded by that fact with a victory in this contest. The gelding likes to show the way in his races and could prove difficult to reel in over the closing stages. GATO GUAPO fought all the way down to the wire in his last start and if he shows the same determination here, he could pose a threat to the top choice. C Z ROCKET was hampered early in his last run but recovered well to finish just off the winner. With better luck in running today, he should be involved in the finish. EXCLAMATION POINT suffered early interference last time out but was making late progress over the final stages. He should be considered in this line-up.

Race 9
GOLD CREDIT has her peak run this afternoon. She raced three wide last time out but was staying on in the closing stages. That was her first start for her new trainer, and she may have more improvement to come. CRYSTAL LAKE was carried five wide in her last outing and did well to finish where she did. Given a smoother passage today, she should be a threat to the former. SHOCKING FAST won from the front last time out which was her first start for her new trainer. It is always encouraging when Ricardo Santana keeps faith in the ride. DANCIN IN PARADISE has her second start after a lengthy break and her third for her new conditioner. She weakened in the closing stages in her latest run but could do better this time out.