Horse Racing Graded Stakes Analysis – April 18, 2020
by: Ed Meyer
Oaklawn Park – Late Pick-Four
Race #8 – The G3 Count Fleet – 6f – 5:14 pm EDT
BetPTC.com Selections / #2 – Flagstaff / #7 – Hidden Scroll / #9 – Whitmore
#2 Flagstaff hails from the John Sadler barn with Joel Rosario in the saddle. This is his 3rd off the layoff and Sadler wins 19% on this move. He cuts back to six panels and drops down in class. This stalker worked a bullet his last effort and Rosario is 7 for 8 ITM the past week. Sadler wins 21% with graded stakes runners. #7 Hidden Scroll makes his 2nd start of 2020 for trainer Bill Mott with Martin Garcia getting the nod. He shows blistering speed and his last win was the perfect prep to pick up his action in 2020. Garcia wins 21% with early style runners. #9 Whitmore is the HFC going 13 for 13 ITM at OP. Ron Moquette brings him to post with Joe Talamo in the irons. He has faced some tough customers in the past and this solid closer takes a step up in class today.
Late Saturday night at BetPTC.com – Hong Kong Sha Tin racing
Race #9 – O.C. $50k – 6f – 5:45 pm EDT
BetPTC.com Selections / #5 – Meadow Dance / #6 – Break Even / #8 – Heaven’s Whisper
#5 Meadow Dance is a close stalker from the Brad Cox barn with the services of Florent Geroux. She’s been off for 4 months and fires fresh off the layoff. Her works have been sparkling and make a drop down the class ladder. #6 Break Even has red hot speed for the Brad Cox barn with Joel Rosario getting the assignment. This is her 2nd start off the shelf and been away for 49 days. She was a beaten favorite her last two efforts and looks for redemption today. #8 Heaven’s Whisper seeks her third straight win for Paul Holthus with Joe Talamo aboard. She is 5 for 5 ITM at OP and is a deep closing type. She’ll need plenty of speed and will come calling as they turn for home.
Race #10 – The G1 Apple Blossom – 1 1/16 – 6:16 pm EDT
BetPTC.com Selections / #4 – Come Dancing / #11 – Serengeti Empress / #5 – Point of Honor
#4 Come Dancing hails from the D Wayne Lukas barn and been away from the races for 5 months. Florent Geroux picks up the mount and she can fire right off the layoff. She has good speed and should be forwardly placed adding distance. Geroux wins 25% with early runners. #11 Serengeti Empress hails from the Thom Amoss barn flashing very quick speed. Joe Talamo has the call and her last win in the G2 Azeri was impressive. Look for a quick break and cross over the field heading into the first turn. #5 Point of Honor is a solid closer from the George Weaver barn. Drayden Van Dyke has the call and wins 18% with late runners. This is her 2nd start of 2020 and look for a solid turn of foot turning for home.
Race #11 – Claiming $50,000 – 1 1/16 – 5:47 pm EDT
BetPTC.com Selections / #10 – Matrooh / #2 – Kurilov / #1 – Timeline
#10 Matrooh hails from the Robertino Diodoro barn with David Cohen. The 10 year old is 7 for 10 ITM at OP. He ran into some trouble last out and looks for a cleaner trip getting Cohen back in the irons. A beaten favorite last out and looks to turn the tables today. #2 Kurilov is a son of Lookin At Lucky for Brad Cox barn. Joe Talamo in the irons and look for a stalking trip. The drop in class should help his cause today. #1 Timeline draws the rail for Steve Asmussen and his go to rider Ricardo Santana in the irons. 2nd off the layoff for this closer and Santana wins 21% with late runners.