Papa Dude’s Free Oaklawn Picks For Saturday 4/10/21

It’s one of the biggest days of the year at beautiful Oaklawn Park and with the apron and the grandstand open for more fans than have been allowed on the grounds in over a year, it is almost a normal Arkansas Derby Day. There are 13 races on the Saturday card highlighted by 4 stakes races including the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby (G1). The day features great racing, as usual, and is very challenging. It’s going to take the best of handicapping skills to pick some winners but I’m ready to take a shot at it. And, we will throw in our Best Sport Plays to top off the day. Let’s get this party started!

Race 3: Maiden

My pick is the #1 Sianara trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. She finished 6th in her debut at Churchill Downs in September and improved to a solid 2nd in early Februrary here at Oaklawn. This barn is excellent with making horses better and I’m confident this girl is ready to go. I’m going to play a 50-cent Pick-3 on these races. In Race 3 I will single the 1. In Race 4 I’m going with the 2,5,8 and will finish it off with the 2.5.8 from Race 5. This will be a wager of $4.50

The Bet: $20 to win on #1

The Bet: .50 Pick 3: 1 / 2,5,8 / 2,5,8

Race 6: Carousel Stakes

This is the first Stakes race on the card. There is a short field of six but there is certainly an abundance of quality. The #4 Frank’s Rockette is coming off an impressive showing in the American Beauty earlier in the meet. She will be challenged by #5 Edgeway trained by John Sadler and the #6 Casual sent out by Steve Asmussen who has a first and a second in the 2021 meet.

The Bet: $10 on #4

Race 10: Allowance

My pick is the #7 Mighty Mischief trained by the Asmussen barn. This 3-year old went wire-to-wire to break his maiden in his last outing. He should be perfect to add victory No. 2 to his resume.

The Bet: $20 on #7

Race 11: Count Fleet Stakes (G3)

The great #2 Whitmore returns in the Count Fleet Handicap (G3). Unfortunately, the #6 CZ Rocket is back to go head-to-head with the Oaklawn favorite again. In their last meeting, about a month ago, the Rocket Man turned the tables on the local favorite Whitmore in a rematch from the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G2) which Whitmore won. This race is better than the Derby in a lot of people’s view including mine. I’m always excited when two great horses go after one another. I’m picking Whitmore for sentimental reasons.

The Bet: $20 to win on #2

Race 12: Arkansas Derby (G1)

This race only drew a six horse field which is very rare at Oaklawn for the Arkansas Derby. One has to assume it is because of the #5 Concert Tour trained by Bob Baffert. He was so dominant in the Rebel about a month ago that it seems to have scared off the competition. Baffert has made a habit of shipping into Oaklawn and taking the top races and this year looks no different. In fact, #3 Hozier who was 2nd in the Rebel is back in this one and Baffert could very well run 1-2. The other interesting horse for me is #2 Caddo River trained by Brad Cox. This horse romped to victory in the Smarty Jones before fading to a very disappointing 5th in the Rebel. Cox is bringing him back for another chance here. This is not a great betting race because Concert Tour should and deserves to be a heavy favorite. If you want to throw some money on a price try Caddo River or the #4 Get Her Number.

Papa Dude’s Sports Play of the Day

Let’s try our luck on an NBA game tonight. The Toronto Raptors travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers. Cleveland is coming off a big win in Oklahoma City over the Thunder on Thursday night and should have some momentum in this game. Neither team is very good and the point spread of 7.5 seems a bit much on the favored Raptors.

The Bet: Cleveland +7.5

To finish up our sports picks I’m going to the NHL. Tonight the defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning invade Music City to take on the Nashville Predators one of the hottest teams in the league. The Preds are due to lose a game but I’m banking on them going one more time on their hot pace.

The bet: $20 on Nashville to win

I am looking forward to the day at Oaklawn and watching some great thoroughbred racing and hoping to hit some winners. I can’t wait for Race 11, it should be a classic. Have a great day everyone and we’ll hit it again tomorrow.