How to bet the 2024 Ozark Stakes

A cast of seven three-year-olds will dash six panels on the Oaklawn Park oval in Saturday’s $150,000 Ozark S. Conditioner Steve Asmussen has a formidable duo signed on for the heat, and I feel that his entrants could finish 1-2 with top performances. 

Ozark Wagers

• $30 exacta 7 with 4 ($30)
• $10 exacta 7 with 3 ($10)
• $5 trifecta key 7 with 3,4 ($10)

#7 Valentine Candy has registered a pair of stakes wins in succession at the meeting and I expect the son of Justify to make it three in a row on this occasion. Purchased for $250,000 as a yearling, the chestnut has won or placed in all but one of his lifetime tries to date and has the versatility to receive a very good voyage from the outset. 

The Kentucky-bred colt has posted a pair of useful morning drills in advance of Saturday, and I envision him tracking the tempo while always in range against this crew. Ricardo Santana, Jr. will be in the silks. 

Sugar Bowl S. runner-up #4 American Rascal flashed good ability as a two-year-old, and the well-bred colt will be tough if he picks up where he left off in his seasonal bow. The son of Curlin, who is out of the brilliant Lady Aurelia, was a smashing, 10-length debut winner to prove that he can fire while fresh, and the bay has posted a few solid morning drills leading up to this race, as well.

American Rascal possesses enough early speed to be close throughout, as well as a nice turn of foot, and he seems to be well spotted for his 2024 unveiling. The Stonestreet homebred gets Keith Asmussen to take the reins. 

#3 Googol Joke has improved with each lifetime try to date and comes off of a clear third-place result behind the top pick in his first run for conditioner Robert Medina. The dark bay son of Practical Joke, who was purchased for $150,000 in December, got off to a poor start in his local debut but had a lot of horse left for the stretch drive and will improve in this spot. The Kentucky bred will stalk the pace with Christian Torres in the silks.