Friday Racing Picks: Temperence Hill Stakes - Oaklawn Park
PICK: #10 Campaign (Race 8 - Temperence Hill Stakes - Oaklawn Park)
#10, Campaign, Rafael Bejarano, 3-1
Campaign has raced in eight straight graded stakes (2-0-1), including a fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap in his last race here on Feb. 17. His last win came in the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar on July 24. I like that he had a race over this surface prior and that should help Rafael Bejarano who takes over the reins for trainer John Sadler. He also has post position 10 in the 10-horse field and Bejarano can position him anywhere he wants from the start.
Verdict: The pick
#7, Remembering Rita, Joe Talamo, 5-2
The morning-line favorite will be his 25th career start (5-4-6) and his third start of the year (1-0-0). He comes off a win in an allowance optional claiming race in his last by 3 ¾ lengths as the favorite here on Feb. 21. He has finished in the money in six of his last seven starts (1-3-2). Joe Talamo has the ride for trainer Doug Anderson.
Verdict: Runner-up
#6, Kurilov (CHI), Martin Garcia, 9-2
A perfect 2-for-2 here this year with a win in a waiver claiming race (by 2 ½ lengths as favorite) on Feb. 1 and 20 days later in a starter allowance race (a neck as favorite) on Feb. 21. He had two straight runner-up finishes at Churchill Downs prior to his two wins here. So not only does he love the surface here, he comes in to today’s race in fine fashion. This will be his 26th career start (9-7-2). Martin Garcia has the mount for trainer Brad Cox.
Verdict: Contender
#1, Sky Promise, Orlando Mojica, 9-2
This will be his 28th career start (6-5-3) and is looking for his first win since the John Bullit Stakes at Canterbury Park on Sept. 13, five starts ago. In his last, he finished second in an allowance optional claiming race here on Feb. 9. A start prior here, he finished fourth in the Fifth Season Stakes on Jan. 25. So two decent showings here. Orlando Mojica is in the saddle for trainer Robertino Diodoro.
Verdict: In the mix