Thursday's Racing Picks: Oaklawn Park

Race 8 @ Oaklawn Park - PICKS: 2-3-4-6 

We head out to Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas for an $86,000 allowance race for 4-year-olds and up fillies and mares over one mile on the dirt. The field of 8 will go to gate for race 8 on the 9-race card with an approximate post time of 5:42 p.m. ET.

#2, Grandezza, Martin Garcia, 5-1 - Grandezza is making her 14th career start (1-4-1) and is looking for her first win since a maiden special weight race at Churchill Downs on June 1. In her last start in her first try over the Oaklawn Park surface, she finished fourth in an allowance race on Feb. 2. I think that trip helps her today. Martin Garcia is aboard for trainer Dallas Stewart. The pick.

#3, Dulce Ride, Joe Talamo, 3-1 - The slight morning-line favorite is making her 12th career start (1-4-3), but first since last March when she finished a disappointing seventh in an allowance race at Golden Gate Fields on March 24. She is also looking for her first win since a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita on June 10, 2018. Joe Talamo has the ride for trainer Brad Cox. Runner-up.

#4, Rockin Ready, Richard Eramia, 9-2 - Rockin Ready finished second ($15.20) behind the favorite, Getridofwhatailesu, in an allowance race on Feb. 2 in her first trip over the Oaklawn Park surface. This should also help her moving forward today. She is looking for her first win since a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita on May 26, 2018. Richard Eramia is in the saddle for trainer Philip D’Amato. Of note, D’Amato has gone 3-of-10 with his starters this meet with a pair of runner-up finishes. **Contender.

#6, Socialite, Ricardo Santana, Jr., 7-2 - She won her career debut in a maiden special weight race at Ellis Park by a ½ length on Aug. 4. She is coming off close to a seven-month layoff, so let’s see how she does off of it. Ricardo Santana, Jr. is in the saddle for trainer Wayne Catalano. In the mix.**

By Lou Monaco