How to bet the Oaklawn Mile

A fantastic field of 14, led by a pair of Grade 1 winners, will go postward in the $150,000 Oaklawn Mile S. on Saturday.

Oaklawn Mile Analysis

#1 Slick Silver, #2 Mr. Money, #4 Pioneer Spirit and #9 Home Run Trick, will be in the first flight of what could be a rapid early tempo. #3 Tom’s d’Etat , #5 Boldor, and #14 Improbable will never be far back, and I expect that trio to get first run on the closers at the head of the stretch.

Oaklawn Mile Contenders

#1 SLICK SILVER (30-1) -- White-hot gelding rides in on a six-race win streak since being claimed in the fall. Kantharos 5-year-old takes a massive class hike, however, and he landed in a tough spot from the rail.

#2 MR. MONEY (4-1) -- Calhoun trainee racked up four Grade 3 victories as a sophomore and is training forwardly in advance of his 4-year-old debut. Goldencents colt will always be in range with regular rider Saez in the controls.

#3 TOM’S D’ETAT (3-1) -- Class of the field capped 2019 with a pair of facile stakes tallies, including a stroll in the Clark (G1) at Churchill Downs. Smart Strike 7-year-old shows a fine half-mile move on the oval for Stall, and he is a must use under Rosario.

#4 PIONEER SPIRIT (6-1) -- Speedy sort is a stakes winner at the meeting and came home a solid third in the Essex H. in his latest engagement. Son of Malibu Moon will be part of a contested pace under Cohen, and he would be a surprise due to his running style.

#5 BOLDOR (20-1) -- Sneaky exotics player was a sharp allowance winner on the oval in his seasonal bow prior to finishing a solid fourth in the Hot Springs S. for Asmussen. Munnings colt could peak third off the layoff on the stretch out at a big price.

#6 M G WARRIOR (15-1) -- Son of Majestic Warrior rolled home a convincing allowance winner with the addition of blinkers last time out. Kentucky-bred will need further improvement to challenge this cast late, however, with Talamo aboard.

#7 SNAPPER SINCLAIR (10-1) -- Hard-trying son of City Zip has placed in a trio of consecutive stakes races at the meeting for Asmussen. Exotics contender is versatile and could get a share with a well-timed ride by Geroux.

#8 BANKIT (15-1) -- Stout late runner didn’t thrive in the Essex most recently, but the New York-bred finished a head second in two straight stakes races prior to that effort. Central Banker colt has a consistently strong closing punch, and he will receive a rapid pace to rally into on Saturday.

#9 HOME RUN TRICK (30-1) -- Former claimer was a fine allowance victor in his yearly debut prior to stopping early in the slop most recently. Martin pupil faces a tall task in his first against this kind.

#10 LONG RANGE TODDY (10-1) -- 2019 Rebel (G2) winner makes his first run following the barn change to Dallas Stewart. Son of Take Charge Indy has trained well as of late, but he will need a lifetime best to take down this cast in his first run since September.

#11 LORD GUINNESS (30-1) -- Gelding prepped for this event with an allowance second at Golden Gate for Yakteen. West Coast invader has run just three times since 2018, but he has a fine turn of foot when he is on his game, and the dark bay could make the frame from well back at a huge number.

#12 KERSHAW (20-1) -- Run Away and Hide 5-year-old came off the extended break to romp at Santa Anita over allowance foes. Kentucky-bred lacks consistency, but he could be a player with any improvement off of his latest.

#13 FIGHT ON (20-1) -- O’Neill trainee is a dual winner on the oval and makes his return to Arkansas after wintering in Dubai. Kentucky-bred looks to be in a demanding spot in his first since returning from the desert.

#14 IMPROBABLE (7-2) -- Baffert pupil makes his 4-year-old bow from the widest post in the field. City Zip Kentucky-bred has been a high-level performer since his juvenile campaign, and the flashy colt has run big coming off the layoff on two previous occasions. Drayden Van Dyke coming in to ride is a major positive, as well.

Oaklawn Mile Wagers

• $.50-cent Superfecta: 14 with 3 with 2,5,8,10 with all ($22)
• $.50-cent Superfecta: 14 with 2,5,8,10 with 3 with all ($22)