Oaklawn Park Picks- Mistletoe Analysis: December 9, 2023

Following the opening day Advent stakes, Oaklawn will continue its holiday theme on Saturday. Check out our Oaklawn Park picks for the Mistletoe and Ring the Bell Stakes.

Full Card Analysis

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:30 PM CT; $60k Claiming, 1 1/16 m on Dirt; 8 Entries

• #3 HERN (5-2): Our top pick, HERN, has displayed consistent form in recent starts and is poised for a strong performance.
• #8 GREATHEART (3-1): A competitive contender with a strong closing kick; has faced decent competition and is a solid choice.
• #2 W W CRAZY (7-2): With the Becker and Arrieta combination, W W CRAZY has a legitimate shot based on speed figures.
• #6 MYSTERY MO (9-2): Another contender with consistent pace figures; can make an impact in a moderately paced race.

Selections: 3 – 8 – 2 – 6

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 12:58 PM CT; $115k Maiden Special Weight, 6 f on Dirt; 14 Entries

• #4 SECRET STRATEGY (8-1): Top choice; expected to handle the distance well and boasts solid speed figures.
• #8 CRIME ZONE (30-1): A price horse with potential; running under the Mason and Wales combination.
• #11 HOLUS BOLUS (7-2): Also a major player is Holus Bolus with strong early pace figures and excellent breeding for this race.
• #9 GOD’S COUNTRY (9-2): Debuting with competitiveness under the Gonzalez barn and Esquivel in the irons.

Selections: 4 – 8 – 11 – 9

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:26 PM CT; $31k Claiming, 6 f on Dirt; 14 Entries

• #4 THERIDEOFALIFETIME (4-5): Top pick; may benefit from a hot pace and has a strong chance.
• #10 VIOLENT GIGI (10-1): A price horse and fringe contender; expected to handle the distance well.
• #8 CREEKMORE (7-2): Another fringe contender running under the Martinez and Fuentes combination.
• #9 THAT KHENNY (8-1): Best suited for underneath positions; may benefit from a fast pace.

Selections: 4 – 10 – 8 – 9

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 1:54 PM CT; $115k Maiden Special Weight, 1 m on Dirt; 12 Entries

• #3 RUN JALEN RUN (9-5): Top selection; possesses the pedigree to be a major player.
• #7 RIVETAGE (6-1): A class horse expected to sit mid-pack and finish strong.
• #1 GOLDBRICK (3-1): Another major player with solid recent performances.
• #9 SEARCY (8-1): A fringe contender running under the Cox barn and Chuan in the irons.

Selections: 3 – 7 – 1 – 9

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:22 PM CT; $115k Maiden Special Weight, 6 f on Dirt; 14 Entries

• #14 BANG BANG FURY (9-2): Top pick; trained by Von and ridden by Arrieta.
• #9 SILVER ROSE (7-5): Also a major player with solid recent performances.
• #2 PRINCESS IS OLIVIA (4-1): A dangerous threat on the front end; the class of the field.
• #6 CRUISE MISSILE (5-1): Best suited for underneath positions; makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 14 – 9 – 2 – 6

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 2:50 PM CT; $150k Ring The Bell S., 6 f on Dirt; 9 Entries

• #7 RYVIT (2-1): Top pick; strong early pace figures and the top overall power rating.
• #6 TEJANO TWIST (8-5): A major player with competitive performances.
• #5 NECKER ISLAND (8-1): Will be competitive under the Hartman and Torres combination.
• #1 OSBOURNE (5-1): A class horse with solid recent performances.

Selections: 7 – 6 – 5 – 1

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:18 PM CT; $140k Allowance, 6 f on Dirt; 13 Entries

• #5 HALMSTAD (5-2): Top selection; likely to be part of the early pace.
• #12 BILLY JACK (20-1): A price horse and a major player in good form.
• #4 UNDERHILL’S TAB (9-2): Another major player running against decent company.
• #3 TEE BURNS (10-1): A price horse with tactical speed; the class of the field.

Selections: 5 – 12 – 4 – 3

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 3:46 PM CT; $115k Maiden Special Weight, 1 m on Dirt; 13 Entries

• #4 ORANGE DIABLO (7-5): Top pick; trained by Cox and ridden by Chuan; has tactical speed.
• #5 MIKEALICIOUS (12-1): A price horse with hope; consider for exotic bets.
• #11 IMPERIAL GUN (3-1): Debuting with potential; best suited for underneath positions.
• #9 GOLDEN PLATE (20-1): Also available at a nice price and the class of the field; consider for exotics.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 11 – 9

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:14 PM CT; $150k Mistletoe S., 1 m on Dirt; 11 Entries

• #5 SADDLE UP JESSIE (6-1): Top selection; running for Russell and Arrieta.
• #2 MISTY VEIL (9-2): A major player with top-notch speed figures.
• #10 ICE ORCHID (7-2): Another factor in the race that may benefit from a hot pace.
• #11 BUTTERBEAN (20-1): A price horse and a major player; may benefit from a fast pace.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 10 – 11

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 4:40 PM CT; $140k Allowance, 6 f on Dirt; 13 Entries

• #12 SPEND BENJAMINS (5-1): Top selection; may need a competitive run but has the potential.
• #11 GUNFLASH (4-1): A major player in the race with a mid-pack strategy and a strong finish.
• #1 DON’T WAIT UP (7-2): Will be competitive with tactical speed for a stalk and pounce trip; top overall power rating.
• #9 AFFABLE MONARCH (12-1): A price horse with proven ability; makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 12 – 11 – 1 – 9

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 Stakes

Saturday

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

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