Oaklawn spot plays on Arkansas Derby Day

Oaklawn Park will close Saturday with a 14-race card filled with wagering opportunities. The $500,000 Arkansas Derby (G1), which remains a major prep for the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 4, has been split into divisions, and Hall of Famer and five-time Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert has the favorites in both, Charlatan and Nadal.

Charlatan, who may be in the 1-5 odds range, will be difficult to beat as the projected lone speed in a much softer first division. Nadal could prove vulnerable as the chalk in the deeper second, but I lack a strong opinion against him.

I will try to build the bankroll on the closing-day program with these three horses:

Race 5

Endorsed could take betting action in his first start for Bill Mott, as well as the Steve Asmussen-trained Bankit following a third in the Oaklawn Mile S., but I will recommend #12 Pirate’s Punch (3-1 morning line).

Trainer Grant Forster could have entered the 4-year-old in a stakes race following the gelding’s sharp six-length score over the track in early April, but he’s using one final allowance as a prep. This field lacks pace, and in-form Pirate’s Punch appears poised to take advantage on the front end. I will play him at anything close to his early 3-1 odds, and single Pirate’s Punch in any multi-race bets.

Race 12 - Oaklawn H. (G2)

#4 Mr Freeze (6-1) enters on the upswing for Dale Romans, registering 106 Brisnet Speed ratings in the last two starts, and the 5-year-old will be forward from post 4. He has some speed to his outside in Warrior’s Charge, but Mr Freeze is tractable enough to establish an up-close stalking trip, if necessary. The chestnut gets the services of a top local jock, Joe Talamo, and I will tab Mr Freeze on the front end.

Race 14

#9 Take Charge d’Oro (10-1) received a race over the track last time, finishing an even fourth, and should move forward in this spot. Trainer Chris Hartman wins at a 28% rate in the second start off the claim (53-race sample), taking the 4-year-old gelding back after losing him via claim in early January, and this barn is heating up with a couple of winners in the last few racing days. Take Charge d’Oro has the tactical foot to establish decent position behind an expected moderate pace, and I like his chances to prove best in the stretch.

Good luck on Oaklawn's closing day!

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