Thursday Racing Picks: Oaklawn Park

We head to Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas today for an $86,000 allowance race for 3-year-olds and up state breds over six furlongs on the dirt.  The large field of 14 will go to gate for race 7 on the 9-race card with an approximate post time of 5:14 p.m. ET.

#6, Bebop Shoes, Jon Court, 5-1

Bebop Shoes has finished in-the-money in two of his last five races (0-0-2) and will be looking for his first win since a solid 6-length win as the favorite in a maiden special weight race here on March 2. This will be his seventh career start here (1-2-1) so it appears he likes the track and he hasn’t been here in the last five races raced. Jon Court has the mount for trainer William Fires. I think he drastically improves today as he returns to a place he is comfortable with. The pick.

#5, Whenthedovescry, Walter De La Cruz, 7-2

Whenthedovescry is making his second straight start here and is coming off a third-place here 12 days ago on Jan. 25. So not a bad debut here and he returns jock Walter De La Cruz for the ride for trainer Shea Stuart. He is looking for his first win since a claiming race triumph on Oct. 13, 2018. Let’s see if he really likes the track off that nice showing last time out. Runner-up.

#4, Souixper Charger, Ricardo Santana, Jr., 9-2

The lightly-raced Souixper Charger will be making his third career start today and is coming off a solid 4 ¾-length win as the favorite in his debut start here in a maiden special weight race on Jan. 25. Ricardo Santana, Jr. returns to the saddle in hopes for a repeat performance for trainer Al Cates. Contender.

#8, Piece of Work, Luis Quinonez, 4-1

You can’t do much better than Piece of Work’s debut performance when he won by a whopping 6 1/2 lengths as the fourth choice in a maiden special weight race at Remington Park on Nov. 15. Luis Quinonez was aboard then and is back again in the saddle for trainer Allen Milligan. In the mix.

By Lou Monaco

PICKS: 6-5-4-8