Oaklawn Park: How to bet the undercard stakes on Rebel Day

Hoping to build your bankroll for Saturday’s $1 million Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park? Then you’ve come to the right place!

Four other stakes are scheduled on the Rebel undercard, so there will be plenty of opportunities to bet high-class racing and cash winning tickets in advance of the afternoon feature.

Let’s play the first four stakes on a $100 budget and focus on opposing favorites.

Race 5: Azeri S. (1 1/16 miles, G2, 3:03 p.m. ET)

#5 Shedaresthedevil (2-1) was in hot form for trainer Brad Cox last year, most notably when she defeated Preakness (G1) winner Swiss Skydiver and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) winner Gamine in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

But the daughter of Daredevil hasn’t run since October and could face a tricky pace scenario, if she tries to keep the speedy #3 Letruska (3-1) honest up front.

If a fast pace unfolds, the improving #1 Envoutante (5-2) can capitalize. The daughter of Uncle Mo is versatile in terms of running style and wrapped up her 2020 campaign with blowout victories in the Remington Park Oaks (G3) and Falls City (G2). She has turned in fast workouts in preparation for her return and can spring a mild surprise if she improves in her first start as a four-year-old.

$10 to win on #1 Envoutante
$5 exacta: 1 with 3,5 ($10)
$2.50 trifecta: 1 with 3,5 with 3,5 ($5)
Total: $25

Race 7: Essex H. (1 1/16 miles, 4:08 p.m. ET)

#5 Silver State (2-1) has won three straight races since he returned from a layoff last fall, and most recently battled to victory in the Fifth Season S. at Oaklawn. He’ll be dangerous again Saturday, though I suspect #7 Night Ops (3-1) can put up a good fight.

The winner of the 2020 Essex and Cornhusker H. (G3), Night Ops rallied belatedly to finish third in the Fifth Season, his first start off a 6 1/2-month layoff.

Night Ops is eligible to improve in his second start back for Cox, especially after he breezed five furlongs in a bullet 1:00 Sunday.

$15 to win on #7 Night Ops
$10 exacta: 7 with 5
Total: $25

Race 9: Temperence Hill S. (1 1/2 miles, 5:13 p.m. ET)

#9 Lone Rock (6-1) has never run 1 1/2 miles, but the former claimer has been in hot form, with three consecutive victories. A versatile gelding, capable of winning from anywhere in the pack, Lone Rock most recently overcame a troubled trip to rally and win a 1 1/16-mile optional-claiming allowance at Oaklawn.

Lone Rock brings competitive Brisnet Speed ratings to the equation and might have upside in his second start for high-percentage trainer Robertino Diodoro. We’ll take a shot and play him on top of #2 You’re to Blame (3-1), #4 Plainsman (9-2), and #10 Campaign (7-2).

$15 to win on #9 Lone Rock
$5 exacta: 9 with 2,4,10 ($15)
Total: $30

Race 10: Hot Springs S. (5:45 p.m. ET)

#6 Whitmore (8-5) and #7 C Z Rocket (2-1) are the logical favorites, after they finished first and second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) last fall, but both are returning from layoffs and will meet a formidable up-and-comer — #1 Boldor (5-1).

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Boldor is undefeated in two starts since he returned from a layoff in January. He rallied to win the Sam’s Town S. at Delta Downs and the King Cotton S. at Oaklawn. In the King Cotton, Boldor tenaciously closed into a modest pace to beat a quality field by a length.

At 5-1, Boldor is worth betting to win. We’ll also play him on top of an exacta, with Whitmore and C Z Rocket underneath.

$10 to win on #1 Boldor
$5 exacta: 1 with 6,7 ($10)
Total: $20

Good luck!