Picks and plays for the $1,000 Oaklawn KDBC/NHC Qualifier

A couple of National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) seats and at least one Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge (KDBC) seat are up for grabs in Saturday’s $1,000 Oaklawn KDBC/NHC Qualifier tournament on TwinSpires.com.

Bet your entire $600 bankroll across at least five races at Oaklawn Park (minimum $60 per race) to climb the leaderboard. Races 1-10 at Oaklawn are eligible for tournament play; the complete rules can be viewed here.

If you’re planning to participate in the $1,000 Oaklawn KDBC/NHC Qualifier, here are horses (and wagers) to consider betting:

Race 4: #10 Burlsworth (5-2)

This six-furlong maiden special weight for horses bred in Arkansas looks ripe for conquest by Burlsworth. Back in January, the three-year-old gelding placed fourth in his debut over this track, distance, and class level. Then in March, he finished second in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight for Arkansas-breds.

Burlsworth recently returned from a long layoff to finish a pace-tracking sixth in a 6 1/2-furlong open maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. With that comeback effort under his belt, Burlsworth should be ready for a peak performance while returning to the Arkansas-bred ranks at Oaklawn.

Tournament players should consider betting Burlsworth on top of an exacta using #5 Two Dollar Eddie (7-2) and #7 God’s Country (3-1) for second place. Both placed over this track, distance, and class level during the previous Oaklawn meet.

• $30 Exacta: 10 with 5,7 ($60)

Race 9: #2 Liberal Arts (12-1)

The feature event on the Saturday card is the $175,000 Tinsel S. taking place over 1 1/8 miles. #5 Red Route One (5-2) has won four out of eight starts over this distance while competing primarily against graded stakes competition, and he’s a logical win threat while dropping in class.

But don’t underestimate Liberal Arts as a live longshot. The three-year-old son of Arrogate showed talent on the 2023-24 Road to the Kentucky Derby, winning the Street Sense (G3) and placing in the Iroquois (G3) and Southwest (G3). Unfortunately, his form deteriorated toward the end of his Derby trail campaign, ending with a sixth in the Lexington (G3).

Following a 6 1/2-month break, Liberal Arts returned to action in a 7 1/2-furlong allowance at Churchill Downs last month. Making his first start for high-percentage trainer Brad Cox, Liberal Arts stays closed to the pace before rallying to triumph by a head over a next-out winner, earning a career-best 95 Brisnet Speed rating.

If Liberal Arts moves forward in his second start back, he can surprise at a big price. Tournament bettors may wish to bet Liberal Arts to win and play him over Red Route One in the exacta.

• $40 to win on #2 Liberal Arts
• $20 Exacta: 2 with 5
  Total: $60

Good luck!