How to bet the 2021 Oaklawn Invitational Stakes

While most of the racing world will have its eyes on Churchill Downs on Saturday for the Kentucky Derby (G1), Oaklawn Park will also play host to a race that has 2021 Triple Crown implications.

The Oaklwn Park Invitational S. for three-year-olds will reward the winner of the event with a berth in the Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico on May 15, as long as he is Triple Crown nominated.

A talented field of seven is scheduled to go in the 1 1/8-mile feature in Hot Springs. Trainers Steve Asmussen and Brad Cox have a combined five entrants in the cast, and I think that the winner will come from one of those barns.

#1 Scarred (5-2) will make his black-type debut Saturday and gives the impression of a colt who is has just scratched the surface. A fine debut winner at Churchill Downs in November, the $360,000 son of Into Mischief comes in off his best effort to date, when he won a local allowance.

The Kentucky-bred earned a hefty 107 Brisnet Late Pace figure in that victory going 1 1/16 miles, which suggests nine panels will not pose a problem. He shows four solid workouts in the interim, and the bay will always be in range from the rail under David Cabrera.

#5 Warrant (4-1) has won or placed in all of his starts and is a wildcard in his first race going long, but he will be up to the task. The Cox-trained homebred was game in defeat when he fell short by a nose in a strong Keeneland allowance most recently, and he has the running style to be well placed from the opening bell Saturday. The Constitution colt looms large, with even slight improvement off of his latest showing. 

Oaklawn Invitational wagers

• $20 win #1 Scarred ($20)
• $10 exacta 1 with 5 ($10)
• $5 exacta 5 with 1 ($5)