Oaklawn Park Picks: Opening Day- Friday, December 8, 2023 Analysis

Oaklawn Park returns for the 2023-2024 season. The season includes many high profile horses, trainers, and jockeys. Check out our Oaklawn Park picks for opening day!

Winter Racing at Oaklawn

Oaklawn Park is a favorite among many horseplayers. In 2020 it was one of the tracks that took full advantage of the other sports shutdowns during the pandemic.

The track is unique in that it features only one racing surface. There is no turf course at Oaklawn. This makes it easier for bettors to pick up on track profiles that may be emerging.

Big Purses, Big Races

Oaklawn Park is also a fan-favorite course because it brings in top talent due to increased purse sizes. This means that connections can make by having their horses run there than other tracks during this time of year.

The track also plays a vital role in the Road to the Kentucky Derby as it hosts the Arkansas Derby. The Grade 1 race three year olds has become a preferred route for some of the countries biggest superstars heading for the first Saturday in May.

American Pharoah took down the race before breaking the Triple Crown drought back in 2015.

Full Card Analysis

Oaklawn Park Picks- Race 1

Maiden Claiming on Dirt, Post Time: 12:30 PM CT; Prize: $30,000; Distance: 6 furlongs; Field: 9 entries

• #2 MOTOWN COLLECTION (4-1): Earning the top selection, this contender boasts the pedigree to be a major player. A good bet to hit the board in this race.
• #8 SIR PEEL (4-1): Recognized as the class of the field, Sir Peel adds strength to the competition.
• #9 COLONEL BARTON (7-2): With a shot in this race, Colonel Barton, is guided by the Puhich barn with Bowen in the irons. He is well-bred for this spot.
• #7 STATE SCHOOL SMART (3-1): A solid contender with consistent recent performances. This Asmussen-trained horse is ready to run a big race.

Selections: 2-8-9-7

Oaklawn Park Picks- Race 2

Maiden Special Weight on Dirt, Post Time: 12:58 PM CT; Prize: $115,000; Distance: 6 furlongs; Field: 14 entries

• #1 MOENCHANTED (7-2): Securing the top selection, Moenchanted is expected to improve off the first start and handles the distance well.
• #2 LATIFAH (6-1): Debuting here as a fringe contender, Latifah showcases the pedigree to be a major player.
• #8 TWO BELLS (8-1): Another debutante, Two Bells is considered a fringe contender with strong pedigree.
• #3 I BE GONE (12-1): A price horse with hope, I Be Gone, running for Prather and Hernandez, is well-bred and a valuable addition.

Selections: 1-2-8-3

Oaklawn Park Picks- Race 3

Starter Allowance on Dirt, Post Time: 1:26 PM CT; Prize: $70,000; Distance: 6 furlongs; Field: 7 entries

• #5 STAGE LEFT (8-5): Earning the top selection with consistent pace figures, Stage Left holds the top overall power rating.
• #7 PAYNE (6-1): Expected to be competitive, Payne is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #2 SKY AND SAND (2-1): With a shot in this race, Sky and Sand has proven abilities to handle these conditions.
• #6 AWESOME AARON (8-1): Likely to be part of the early pace, Awesome Aaron is best placed underneath on most tickets.

Selections: 5-7-2-6

Oaklawn Park Picks- Race 4

Claiming on Dirt, Post Time: 1:54 PM CT; Prize: $35,000; Distance: 1 1/16 miles; Field: 11 entries

• #2 GALERIO (8-5): Securing the top selection as the class of the field, Galerio shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #6 WARTIME HERO (3-1): Running for the minor placings, Wartime Hero, guided by Contreras and Esquivel. He also makes sense on speed figures.
• #11 CITY LEGEND (9-2): Another contender running for the minor placings, City Legend, with the right setup, has proven abilities in these conditions.
• #3 MANSFIELD TIGER (10-1): A price horse running for the minor placings, Mansfield Tiger has faced decent competition.

Selections: 2-6-11-3

Oaklawn Park Picks- Race 5

Maiden Special Weight on Dirt, Post Time: 2:22 PM CT; Prize: $115,000; Distance: 6 furlongs; Field: 14 entries

• #3 CHUN MONEY (7-2): Earning the top selection, Chun Money is expected to improve off the first start and runs for the Von barn with Arrieta in the irons.
• #6 WORLD FAIR (10-1): A price horse expected to be competitive, World Fair makes sense on speed figures and has faced decent competition.
• #8 JUST ASK WATTS (15-1): Another price horse with a shot in this race, Just Ask Watts is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #2 MAJOR MACK (15-1): Another price horse and fringe contender, Major Mack goes out for the Compton barn with Juarez in the irons.

Selections: 3-6-8-2

Oaklawn Park Picks- Race 6

Claiming on Dirt, Post Time: 2:50 PM CT; Prize: $31,000; Distance: 6 furlongs; Field: 10 entries

• #2 ROYAL MEGHAN (7-5): Securing the top selection with consistently strong pace figures, Royal Meghan is proven to handle these conditions.
• #10 AWESOME VIEW (7-2): Another contender with hope, Awesome View aims to make one well-timed run at the leaders.
• #3 LICHITA (9-2): Running for the minor placings, Lichita, guided by Jansen and De, adds depth to the field.
• #5 SASSY SAGEY (20-1): A price horse also running for the minor placings, Sassy Sagey shouldn’t have trouble with the distance and runs evenly.

Selections: 2-10-3-5

Oaklawn Park Picks- Race 7

Allowance on Dirt, Post Time: 3:18 PM CT; Prize: $140,000; Distance: 6 furlongs; Field: 10 entries

• #5 FASHION RAGE (2-1): Earning the top selection, Fashion Rage runs races good enough to beat this group with tactical speed for a stalk-and-pounce trip.
• #8 YOU LITTLE VIXEN (10-1): A price horse and also expected to be competitive, You Little Vixen is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #3 HONEY RUN (7-2): With a shot in this race, Honey Run makes sense on speed figures and is recognized as the class of the field.
• #1 LITTLE SISTER SUE (8-1): Another fringe contender, Little Sister Sue makes sense on speed figures and could get up with a competitive run.

Selections: 5-8-3-1

Oaklawn Park Picks- Race 8

Allowance on Dirt, Post Time: 3:46 PM CT; Prize: $140,000; Distance: 6 furlongs; Field: 10 entries

• #8 ALWAYS ANGELS (15-1): Earning the top selection as a price horse, Always Angels is likely to be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #4 BACKYARD MONEY (7-2): Recognized as the class of the field, Backyard Money is another contender here.
• #9 BENNYKAYANDSUZYTOO (15-1): A price horse and major player, Bennykayandsuzytoo shouldn’t have trouble with the distance and is likely to be part of the early pace.
• #10 SAINT SARENA (15-1): Another price horse expected to be competitive, Saint Sarena, running for Rosin and Fuentes, makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 8-4-9-10

Oaklawn Park Picks- Race 9

Advent S. on Dirt, Post Time: 4:14 PM CT; Prize: $150,000; Distance: 5 1/2 furlongs; Field: 12 entries

• #4 MOLLY’S TOWN (3-1): Earning the top selection, Molly’s Town has been really solid in recent starts. She should be ready to run a big one.
• #10 VALENTINE CANDY (2-1): Recognized as the class of the field, Valentine Candy has been really solid and is set for a big performance.
• #6 SWEET SODDY J (9-2): Also a contender with consistent pace figures. Sweet Soddy J works well in a moderately paced race.
• #7 ANDY’S CANDY (12-1): A price horse and probably best to put underneath. Andy’s Candy runs evenly and will get a very fair pace scenario.

Selections: 4-10-6-7

Oaklawn Park Picks- Race 10

Maiden Special Weight on Dirt, Post Time: 4:40 PM CT; Prize: $115,000; Distance: 1 mile; Field: 12 entries

• #9 EXTREMELY GRUNTLED (4-1): Earns the top selection. Extremely Gruntled projects to sit mid-pack and come with one run, showcasing class.
• #6 IN GOOD TASTE (3-1): Expected to improve, In Good Taste is a major player in this race. She may benefit from a hot pace.
• #1 AMY Z (10-1): A price horse is expected to be competitive. Amy Z, guided by the Von barn and Arrieta, adds depth to the field.
• #2 FANTASTICAL (5-1): Another expected to be competitive, Fantastical shouldn’t have trouble with the distance and is well-bred.

Selections: 9-6-1-2

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select racing cards throughout the week.

Friday

• Oaklawn Park Picks featuring the Advent

Saturday

• Fair Grounds Picks featuring Louisiana Champions Day
• Oaklawn Park Picks featuring the Mistletoe and the Ring the Bell
• Los Alamitos featuring the Grade 2 Starlet Stakes

Kentucky Derby Future Prop

Bet on your favorite horse to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby today. Also, check out our analysis of the top of the market in the Derby futures wagers.

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