Oaklawn Park and Aqueduct Picks for Saturday, January 4

Mike Sumich’s picks at Oaklawn Park and Aqueduct:

Comfortable birthday to each horse! Common Christmas January 1^road He has come and gone, which implies we now have a brand new crop of three-year-olds who are actually on their technique to the Kentucky Derby. This Saturday marks the primary cross-country prep day of the yr, with Derby factors on the road at Gulfstream Park, Aquiduct, Oaklawn and Santa Anita.

Smarty Jones, Race No. 9, Oaklawn Park

The mile and sixteenth Smarty Jones opens Oaklawn’s preseason main as much as the Arkansas Derby. As traditional, horses typically enter the primary spherical of prep with extra questions than solutions, and this race isn’t any totally different. #6 Scorching property He’s the morning line favourite from Brad Cox’s barn, however enters the race having made the primary outcome on the first query. It was a straight win over the space at the moment, however he did not face any stress in that spot. The schooling is there, and now the category will probably be examined.

One downside with scorching possession is #1 angel kali, Which is able to come off the rail and be a pest for so long as potential. Final day out, he gained effectively, however that was over 5 and a half furlongs, the place he ran as quick as he might from the beginning. This was his first dust begin, so perhaps he can take a step up right here, however I would want a a lot better worth than the 2-1 morning line to play him. He stop after urgent the tempo, going one mile on the turf on the again. It’ll go additional with the identical quantity of stress at the moment on a floor it has not been examined on.

#5 high quality mo He additionally has fairly a number of inquiries to reply. He appeared a lot better in his second begin, with a powerful win over six and a half furlongs, and it is clear he needs extra distance if you watch him run. Nonetheless, out of the group, it was offered on the lowest worth and had the weakest connections. He has pace that will permit him to remain in contact with the primary two. Will probably be a matter of expertise once they get dwelling as a result of he has to make the journey. The worth is a lot better than the above horses additionally at 5-1.

#8 Battle of Coal It presents the most effective class of younger gamers who’re contemporary off a victory within the Springboard Mile. He’s probably the most logical horse to hit the board, however the different three contenders seem to want to deliver lower than their A sport for him to win the race.

Oaklawn Park picks: 5-6-8-1
Bets: $50, win #5

Jerome Stakes, Race No. 8, Canal

Since this setup is run over a mile, a quick boatload was recorded, making for an important race setup for 2 horses. #8 McAfee He enters as the favourite from a hard-fought second place end going the space at Churchill Downs. He gained his debut over six furlongs, coming from the again of the pack, so we all know he can get previous horses. He was nearer to the tempo in his one-mile effort, however his hand was compelled there, drawing the rail. Immediately’s away draw is a lot better for him tactically.

into it, #7 Stedledorite He has probably the most expertise within the enterprise, together with wins on the observe and over the space in stakes racing. He ran effectively in opposition to among the greatest gamers final summer time at Saratoga whereas being off the tempo. I am keen to throw him his final race, which was a mile and eight and easily appeared too lengthy for him.

of pace, #6 Hurricane state of affairs It’s the most fascinating to me. It is taken him some time to determine it out, however his final two races have been very spectacular wins at this observe and distance. The principle knock right here is that he’s one in every of 5 horses prone to need the lead.

#5 Georgia Magic It is the lengthy shot I am interested by right here. It is his second profession begin, so he’ll probably enhance, and he’ll want to take action in an enormous technique to compete. He gambled the primary time and was bred to desire a better distance than the six furlongs he had coated. It may very well be a really powerful job for him right here, however I count on him to outperform his 10-1 odds.

Channel choices: 7-8-6-5
Bets: $50, Win #7

Prompt performs:
Aqueduct, Race #5 – $50, Win #4
Oaklawn Park, Race #8 – $50 Win #6