Rick Lee's Oaklawn Park selections and analysis

MONDAY’S RESULTS 5-9 (55.5 percent)

MEET 11-36 (30.6 percent)

LEE’S LOCK Amy’s Challenge in the eighth

BEST BET Luv Bandit in the second

LONG SHOT Son of a Saint in the fifth

*educated guess

**things to like

***plenty to like

****confident choice

1 Purse $23,000, 6 furlongs, 4-year-olds and up, claiming $10,000

**CIRCLE UNBROKEN may be overlooked following a 32-length defeat at Churchill, but he easily won a “key” $16,000 claimer just three back. The six-time winner is dropping to the lowest price of his career for sharp connections. SPECIAL CONCOCTION won three-of-six races in 2017 at Woodbine, and the speedy sprinter benefits from recent racing. MCQ has won his last three races when running for a $10,000 claiming price, and trainer Ingrid Mason has won four of her first 10 starters at the meeting.

PP HORSE;JOCKEY;TRAINER;ODDS

1 Circle Unbroken;Cohen;Diodoro;8-1

2 Special Concoction;Maldonado;McKnight;8-1

10 McQ;Hill;Mason;5-1

9 Tiz Showbiz;Wethey;Young;6-1

3 Hillbilly Royalty;Thompson;Morse;12-1

7 Johnny Whip;Cabrera;Broberg;7-2

8 Preacher Time;Stevens;Hobby;9-2

1a Valiant Flame;Cohen;Diodoro;8-1

5 Flying Mr K.;Sanchez;Cox;15-1

4 Top Player;Vazquez;Villafranco;12-1

6 Son of Pearl;Felix;Duncan;20-1

2 Purse $20,000, 1 1/16 miles, 4-year-olds and up, claiming $6,250

****LUV BANDIT finished in the exacta in 8-of-14 races in 2017, and he is taking a double-class drop following a narrow loss at Remington. DYNABEAVER finished third behind a talented horse-for-course at Remington. He is dropping to a proper level and benefits from an inside post. BELVIN raced competitively at a higher class level throughout last season, and he figures a late threat if he draws into the race.

PP HORSE;JOCKEY;TRAINER;ODDS

5 Luv Bandit;Santana;Asmussen;5-2

1 Dynabeaver;Canchari;Martin;5-1

14 Belvin;McMahon;Caldwell;12-1

12 Get That Box;Laviolette;Smith;8-1

11 Runningunninrascal;Eramia;Loetscher;5-1

10 Ferocious Tiger;Pompell;Holthus;8-1

8 My Curby;Felix;Swearingen;8-1

2 Tiznow RJ;Morales;Garcia;15-1

7 Score Time;Arguello;Durham;10-1

3 Northeast Bound;Rodriguez;Vance;20-1

13 Oriental Crown;Cabrera;Ortiz;15-1

9 Commander Lute;Birzer;Van Berg;20-1

4 Hubert Junior;Prescott;Puhl;20-1

6 Dowlingfourtyeight;Parker;Shorter;20-1

3 Purse $32,000, 6 furlongs, 4-year-olds and up which have never won three races, claiming $30,000

***K J’S NOBILITY is moving up a claiming condition following a decisive victory at Churchill. He was a clear career debut winner last season at Oaklawn and prepped for this race winning a training race at Evangeline Training Center. BAJAN CASH raced well enough last season in Kentucky and Louisiana to win this race, and he was claimed out of his last race by a stable that wins a high percentage of their first-time back claims. MUD LIGHT stunned the crowd with an authoritative victory in his first start last winter at Oaklawn, and the pace of the race figures contentious enough to flatter his late run.

PP HORSE;JOCKEY;TRAINER;ODDS

8 K J’s Nobility;Cohen;Diodoro;4-1

9 Bajan Cash;Stevens;Cox;9-2

2 Mud Light;Loveberry;Morse;8-1

4 Mannford;Santana;Asmussen;5-1

6 Reckling;Eramia;Milligan;6-1

1 Dupree;Luzzi;Moquett;3-1

7 Vbreeze;Pompell;Haran;12-1

3 Drago’s Pearl;Vazquez;Villafranco;8-1

5 State of Charm;Bedford;Cannon;20-1

4 Purse $21,000, 6 furlongs, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up, claiming $8,000

**KARLA WITH A K faltered in the stretch in a 7-furlong test against $25,000 rivals at Churchill, but the class dropper did win four races last season. Some of her best races have been at Oaklawn. NORTHERN CONNECT ran down a field of $20,000 claimers only two races back at Churchill, and she is taking a big drop in class for winning connections. DO IT has put eight together competitive races in succession. She has good early speed and is taking a slight drop.

PP HORSE;JOCKEY;TRAINER;ODDS

11 Karla With a K;McMahon;Holthus;8-1

12 Northern Connect;Cohen;Diodoro;3-1

1 Do It;Canchari;Martin;8-1

2 Lou;Prescott;Cristel;20-1

3 Includere;Eramia;Milligan;8-1

4 Titfortat;Gazader;Caldwell;8-1

13 Be a Factor;Vazquez;Villafranco;10-1

14 Don’t Tell Mom;Canchari;Garcia;10-1

5 Queen of Wildwood;Felix;Mason;5-1

8 Diva of Disaster;Loveberry;Pish;8-1

9 Alina’s Image;Laviolette;Smith;10-1

7 Shut the Gate;Perez;Hartman;12-1

10 Tactical Scout;Meche;David;15-1

6 Dorothe Marie;Sanchez;Cox;15-1

5 purse $76,000, 1 mile, 4-year-olds and up, allowance

**SON OF A SAINT has not raced since October, but he convincingly broke his maiden at Monmouth following a vacation. He returns to his preferred surface and rallies behind a potentially contested pace. BEE JERSEY following a 3-length maiden sprint victory at Keeneland with a strong runner-up finish against allowance foes at Churchill. Recent works at Fair Grounds are encouraging. BLUERIDGE TRAVELER rallied from far back in a two-turn maiden victory last winter at Oaklawn, and two strong allowance efforts this fall stamp him as the one to beat, regardless of post.

PP HORSE;JOCKEY;TRAINER;ODDS

1 Son of a Saint;De La Cruz;Cox;8-1

9 Bee Jersey;Santana;Asmussen;5-2

12 Blueridge Traveler;Hill;McPeek;7-2

10 Chris and Dave;Maldonado;Diodoro;6-1

8 Love That Lute;Birzer;Van Berg;12-1

4 Bronze Age;McMahon;Moquett;8-1

2 Grandpa’s Dream;Cabrera;Hartman;8-1

11 Cass in Stone;Vazquez;Caldwell;15-1

7 Gray Sky;Stevens;Lukas;15-1

6 Compagno;Cohen;Diodoro;15-1

5 Chocolateicecream;Court;Compton;20-1

3 Chantmeupbaby;Johnson;Hartlage;30-1

6 Purse $40,000, 1 mile, 4-year-olds and up, claiming $30,000

**SNICKERBOXER rallied to win his first three races last season at Oaklawn, and he appears to be headed the right direction following a competitive effort in a second-level allowance at Remington. ETON RIDGE had a four-race winning streak snapped when beaten only two-lengths in a $75k stake at Remington, and he is spotted to contend in a $30,000 claimer. MATROOH is a lightly raced 8-year-old with a class advantage, and his recent works appear sharp.

PP HORSE;JOCKEY;TRAINER;ODDS

4 Snickerboxer;Vazquez;Villafranco;10-1

11 Eton Ridge;Eramia;Milligan;4-1

6 Matrooh;Gazader;Peitz;9-2

1 Bold Conquest;Santana;Asmussen;5-1

12 Pinson;Thompson;Morse;8-1

10 Ain’t Misbehavin;Cohen;Diodoro;8-1

3 Handiwork;Quinonez;Rouck;12-1

8 Whole Lotta Luck;Stevens;Hobby;8-1

5 Pilot House;Maldonado;Diodoro;12-1

2 Spectacular Road;Prescott;Manley;12-1

7 Boxer Boy;Canchari;Anderson;15-1

9 Perfect Movement;Goncalves;Litfin;20-1

7 Purse $77,000, 6 furlongs, 4-year-olds and up, allowance optional claiming

***ROCKING THE BOAT has been close at the finish in consecutive races in Kentucky, while earning Beyer figures that are fastest in this field, and winning connections add to the appeal. GOT EVEN is an exceptionally quick veteran from the powerful California stable of trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, and he drew a good post for a sprinter with early speed. GUNS LOADED was an easy winner when last seen in a $40,000 claiming race. The classy veteran lost his rider in the Grade 3 Eddie D in his last start.

PP HORSE;JOCKEY;TRAINER;ODDS

14 Rocking the Boat;Hill;Gorder;5-2

13 Got Even;Felix;Hollendorfer;9-2

3 Guns Loaded;Maldonado;O’Neill;4-1

5 Aquamarine;McMahon;Lukas;8-1

2 Mr. N;Vazquez;Caldwell;9-2

9 Long Station;Pompell;Holthus;6-1

8 Jazzy Times;Stevens;Hobby;8-1

1 Black Bear;Thompson;Morse;6-1

12 While Ye May;Sarvis;Kobiskie;6-1

4 Knights Key;Cohen;Moquett;12-1

6 Blame Will;Santana;Asmussen;12-1

10 Armando’s Star;Sanjur;Cristel;20-1

11 Mexico Memories;Prescott;Cox;20-1

7 Briar’s Gold;De La Cruz;Haran;30-1

8 The Dixie Belle. Purse $125,000, 6 furlongs, fillies, 3-year-olds

****AMY’S CHALLENGE followed a 16-length career debut victory at Canterbury with a fast stake victory against males, and her 2018 works suggests she is stronger and faster at three. MIA MISCHIEF closed her two-year-old campaign winning a swift entry-level allowance sprint at Churchill, and the consistent speedster sports sharp works at Fair Grounds and may have a fitness edge over the top section. VISION OF JUSTICE contested the pace in a third-place stakes finish in New Orleans, but she doesn’t appear as quick as the top two and will have to prove she can win from off the pace.

PP HORSE;JOCKEY;TRAINER;ODDS

6 Amy’s Challenge;Loveberry;Robertson;3-2

5 Mia Mischief;Santana;Asmussen;9-5

3 Vision of Justice;Luzzi;Burchell;5-1

7 Minit to Stardom;Stevens;Stall;6-1

1 Getupbabygetup;Hill;Catalano;15-1

4 Thoughtless Doll;McMahon;Chapman;15-1

2 Secret Passion;Maldonado;Gelner;12-1

9 Purse $75,000, 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds, maiden special weight

**SHANNON C has a series of encouraging works leading up to his debut. He is bred top and bottom to be a fast colt, and trainer Scott Young has his “go-to” rider aboard. WYATT’S TOWN was beaten only a neck in his last start at Saratoga, and the Steve Asmussen trainee is an obvious threat with any kind of improvement. BLASPHEMY is a first-time starter with solid works and winning connections, and the tote board may provide insight.

PP HORSE;JOCKEY;TRAINER;ODDS

2 Shannon C;Wethey;Young;12-1

1 Wyatt’s Town;Santana;Asmussen;2-1

11 Blasphemy;Cohen;Moquett;9-2

3 Ripe;Birzer;Sims;12-1

9 Mt. Rushmore;Stevens;Lukas;4-1

5 Deflater;Thompson;Cline;20-1

8 Awesome Times Two;Hill;Ortiz;6-1

7 Rickhouse;Johnson;Hartlage;15-1

6 Tap Show;Quinonez;Von Hemel;10-1

4 Plainsman;McMahon;Van Meter;12-1

10 The Money Dance;Morales;Lauer;30-1

EXOTIC POSSIBILITIES

The early double has two full fields of 12 and the potential for a big price seems high in the first so spreading out is the plan. I really like Luv Bandit and will single him in the second race. I really like Amy’s Challenge in the eighth race and will play her in the late double with upsetter Shannon C and a smaller saver ticket with Wyatt’s Town in the ninth.

Sports on 01/20/2018

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