Saturday's 10th race (5:07pm CT) from Oaklawn Park is the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap for 4-year-olds and up traveling nine furlongs on the main track.
#6 Alternation (9-2) looked great in the G3 Razorback, a race in which the usually patient type took the early initiative and ran Tapizar off his feet. He has been getting involved earlier since donning the hood last October and his newfound versatility should serve him well in a race that came up light on pace. The horse for course is 4-for-5 in Hot Springs.
#7 Yawanna Twist (6-1) earned strong numbers in his last two wins including a sharp stalk/pounce tally in the seven panel G2 General George at Laurel Feb 20. He landed the place in both starts at this trip and should offer value.
#8 Ron The Greek (2-1) took advantage of a fast pace to win a below par renewal of the Big Cap at SA March 7. He has fired Exacta shots in all six starts for Mott and is an outside tactical threat at low odds.
#1 Nehro (7-2) graduated here and almost won last year's G1 Arkansas Derby. The 2011 Kentucky Derby runner-up returned with a sharp Optional Claming tally at Fair Grounds Feb 25 and was re-routed here after tying up in preparation for the G2 New Orleans Handicap.
#5 Hymn Book (3-1) exits a nose victory in the G1 Donn and will probably take too much action. He moves up on a wet track and won't get preferred footing with sunny skies predicted. He likes this distance and is usually in the hunt.
#2 Win Willy (12-1) won this last year but trailed in his Razorback return and won't get enough pace help.
The Plays:
$18 to win #6
$3 Exacta Box 6-7 ($6)
.50 cent Trifecta 6-7/6-7-8/1-5-6-7-8 ($6)
analysis by Jarrod Horak