Welcome to another big day of racing at Oaklawn Park! We’re bringing you the sharpest plays, in-depth analysis, and betting strategies to maximize your edge.

We’re also thrilled to welcome WoodtheCapper to the Aces & Races family! Wood brings sharp insights and a wealth of experience to our handicapping team, helping us spot value plays and big winners. Let’s dive into today’s card and make some money!

Race 1 – Oaklawn Park (3/16/2025) – 1 Mile (Dirt) – Claiming $12,500 ($32,000 Purse) 

➡️ Track Condition: Fast Dirt
➡️ Race Shape: Contested pace expected, favors stalkers and off-the-pace runners. 

💰 Betting Strategy: 

✅ Win Bet: #7 Remember the Fear (7-2) – Tactical trip should set up well. Reliable recent effort. 
✅ Exacta Box: 7, 2, 1 ($5 Exacta Box = $30 Total) 
✅ Trifecta: 7 / 2, 1, 5 / 2, 1, 5, 8 ($1 Tri = $6 Total) 
✅ Superfecta: 7, 2 / 7, 2, 1 / 7, 2, 1, 5 / All ($0.10 Super = $7.20 Total) 

🔥 Key Takeaways: 

📌 #7 Remember the Fear (7-2): Best combination of pace setup and recent form. Sharp last work. 
📌 #2 Humor Me Now (3-1): Drops, reliable trainer, but lacks punch late. 
📌 #1 Ice Again (4-1): Late runner, fits well if the pace melts down. 
📌 #5 Royal Court (6-1): New shooter with potential upside off maiden win. 

🔹 Confidence Level: 6/10 Wide open race, no clear standout.Several horses are dropping, changing surfaces, or improving, but no clear standout but #7 Remember the Fear looks best suited to the pace. Expect chaos potential. Play defensively in horizontal wagers. Use coverage in multis (Pick 4/5). Don’t anchor here. 

Race 2 – Oaklawn Park (3/16/2025) – 1 1/16 Miles (Dirt) – Maiden Claiming $50,000 ($60,000 Purse) 

➡️ Track Condition: Fast Dirt
➡️ Race Shape: Honest pace favors stalkers and runners just off the early leaders. 

💰 Betting Strategy: 

✅ Win Bet: #2 Halfway Tempted (5-2) – Proven form, class drop, second start off claim for Asmussen. 
✅ Exacta Box: 2, 1, 4 ($5 Exacta Box = $30 Total) – Logical contenders in the top slots. 
✅ Trifecta: 2 / 1, 4, 9 / 1, 4, 5, 9 ($1 Trifecta = $9 Total) – Key Halfway Tempted on top. 
✅ Superfecta: 2, 1 / 2, 1, 4 / 2, 1, 4, 9 / All ($0.10 Super = $7.20 Total) – Give yourself coverage underneath. 

🔥 Key Takeaways: 

📌 #2 Halfway Tempted (5-2): Best proven form and trainer stats, ready to graduate. 
📌 #1 Rebel Moon (7-2): Cox firster; dangerous if ready to fire, but facing experienced horses. 
📌 #4 Stoke the Fire (4-1): MSW dropper with pedigree to handle dirt. Interesting switch. 
📌 #9 Bolt’s Treasure (6-1): Wildcard off the claim, but spotty form. 

🔹 Confidence Level: 7.5/10 This is a top-heavy race with fewer true win threats. #2 Halfway Tempted and #1 Rebel Moon are key contenders. Some risk with Rebel Moon’s debut, but the race lacks chaos and offers upside from a first-time starter. 

Race 3 – Oaklawn Park (3/16/2025) – 1 Mile (Dirt) – Maiden Claiming $80,000 ($63,000 Purse) 

➡️ Track Condition: Fast Dirt
➡️ Race Shape: Moderate pace favors stalkers and tactical runners over pure speed types 

💰 Betting Strategy: 

✅ Win Bet: #5 Moon Over Choctaw (5-2) – Third off layoff and adds blinkers for barn that’s 43% first off the claim. 
✅ Exacta Box: 5, 2, 8 ($5 Exacta Box = $30 Total) – Covers the logical top contenders. 
✅ Trifecta: 5 / 2, 8, 4 / 2, 8, 4, 3 ($1 Trifecta = $9 Total) – Key Moon Over Choctaw on top. 
✅ Superfecta: 5, 2 / 5, 2, 8 / 5, 2, 8, 4 / All ($0.10 Super = $7.20 Total) – Include the longshots underneath just in case. 

🔥 Key Takeaways: 

📌 #5 Moon Over Choctaw (5-2): Class drop, tactical speed, third off layoff = major win threat. 
📌 #2 Kerry’s Kiss (2-1): Lone speed threat but could face pressure; solid second if not wire-to-wire. 
📌 #8 St. Albans Raid (8-1): Local route form makes her sneaky-good value. 
📌 #4 Lottery Ticket (7-2): Cox FTS with solid works; could pop, but debuting for a tag adds risk. 

🔹Confidence Level: 7/10 This is a top-heavy race with limited true win candidates. #5 Moon Over Choctaw appears primed to improve and win. Horizontal players should lean 

Race 4 – Oaklawn Park (3/16/2025) – 6 Furlongs (Dirt) – Claiming $25,000 N3L ($38,000 Purse) 

➡️ Track Condition: Fast Dirt
➡️ Race Shape: Fast pace expected–favors mid-pack stalkers or closers to capitalize late. 

💰 Betting Strategy: 

✅ Win Bet: #7 Easy Action (8-1) – Strong value with pace collapse potential and proven at Oaklawn. 
✅ Exacta Box: 7, 4, 3 ($5 Exacta Box = $30 Total) 
✅ Trifecta: 7 / 3, 4, 6 / 3, 4, 6, 1 ($1 Trifecta = $9 Total) 
✅ Superfecta: 7, 4 / 7, 4, 3 / 7, 4, 3, 6 / All ($0.10 Super = $7.20 Total) 

🔥 Key Takeaways: 

📌 #7 Easy Action (8-1): Best value play, should get the ideal pace setup for his running style. 
📌 #4 Market Street (7-2): Dropping and fits well; if he fires, he’s a danger. 
📌 #3 Aaron (9-2): Very consistent; often picks up a check but can’t quite close the deal. 
📌 #6 Powerful (4-1): Has back class but hard to trust at a short price 

🔹 Confidence Level: 6/10 This is a wide-open race with plenty of early speed that could lead to a late scramble. Easy Action offers value at a price, but several others have legitimate claims. It’s a spread race for multi-race wagers, as pressing a single would be risky. Expect a competitive field with strong upset potential, especially given the fast pace and vulnerable favorites. 

Race 5 – Oaklawn Park (3/16/2025) – 1 Mile (Dirt) – Maiden Claiming $12,500 ($32,000 Purse) 

➡️ Track Condition: Fast Dirt
➡️ Race Shape: Slow to moderate pace-favors tactical runners or those racing close to the lead 

💰 Betting Strategy: 

✅ Win Bet: #12 Sir Exton (3-1) – Ready to graduate with a big class drop and good recent effort. 
✅ Exacta Box: 12, 9, 4 ($5 Exacta Box = $30 Total) – Covers the logical players. 
✅ Trifecta: 12 / 4, 9, 3 / 4, 9, 3, 8 ($1 Trifecta = $9 Total) – Key Sir Exton on top. 
✅ Superfecta: 12, 9 / 12, 9, 4 / 12, 9, 4, 3 / All ($0.10 Super = $7.20 Total) – Covers potential late runners. 

🔥 Key Takeaways: 

📌 #12 Sir Exton (3-1): Best play on paper, especially off the drop. Should sit a perfect trip. 
📌 #9 Mr. Butch (5-2): Consistent and fits well. Not a standout but will be in the mix. 
📌 #4 Vaden (2-1): Can hang around for a piece but doesn’t inspire confidence to win. 
📌 #3 Arky Road (15-1): Dangerous second start. Watch tote action. 

🔹 Confidence Level: 6/10 Wide-open maiden claimer with many inconsistent runners. Sir Exton makes the most sense on paper, but there’s little separating the top five choices. This is a spread race for horizontals—anchoring a Pick 4 or Pick 5 here without extra coverage would be risky, with upset potential in play 

Race 6 – Oaklawn Park (3/16/2025) – 1 1/16 Miles (Dirt) – Claiming $12,500N2Y ($33,000 Purse) 

➡️ Track Condition: Fast Dirt
➡️ Race Shape:Fast pace expected; favors mid-pack stalkers and closers as front-runners tire. 

💰 Betting Strategy: 

✅ Win Bet: #6 Marina’s Gold (9-5) – Most consistent and best tactical speed. 
✅ Exacta Box: 6, 9, 7 ($5 Exacta Box = $30 Total) – Covers the best speed and closers. 
✅ Trifecta: 6 / 9, 7, 2 / 9, 7, 2, 8 ($1 Trifecta = $9 Total) – Key Marina’s Gold up top, spreading behind. 
✅ Superfecta: 6, 9 / 6, 9, 7 / 6, 9, 7, 2 / All ($0.10 Super = $7.20 Total) – Covers pace collapse and deep closers. 

🔥 Key Takeaways: 

📌 #6 Marina’s Gold (9-5): Best speed and current form. Looks like a clear top choice. 
📌 #9 Baby Gundin (3-1): Dangerous closer if the pace melts down. 
📌 #7 Blaze On (5-2): Live first-off-the-claim angle but may get compromised by pace. 
📌 #2 Lil Town Sis (10-1): Useful exotics player, especially if others falter late. 

🔹 Confidence Level: 7/10 Competitive but slightly top-heavy race, with #6 Marina’s Gold and #9 Baby Gundin expected to dominate based on form and pace dynamics. While they hold the edge, there’s some concern about a potential pace meltdown, leaving room for a mid-priced upset. Use #6 and #9 as anchors in horizontal plays, with #7 as a backup option. Confidence is solid but not maxed out 

Race 7 – Oaklawn Park (3/16/2025) – 1 Mile (Dirt) – Optional Claiming $62,500 / ($131,000 Purse) 

➡️ Track Condition: Fast Dirt
➡️ Race Shape: Honest pace likely – several forward types, favors stalkers and late runners 

💰 Betting Strategy: 

✅ Win Bet: #1 Just Steel (4-1) – Clear class edge, gets ideal setup to sit just off the pace and pounce. 
✅ Exacta Box: 1, 6, 12 ($5 Exacta Box = $30 Total) – Focus on the best class/form mix and a pace advantage. 
✅ Trifecta Bet: 1, 12 / 1, 6, 12 / 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 ($1 Trifecta = $12 Total) – Key horses up top with logical underneath options. 
✅ Superfecta Bet: 1, 12 / 1, 6, 12 / 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 ($0.10 Super = $7.20 Total) – Using potential pace collapse scenarios for deeper coverage 

🔥 Key Takeaways: 

📌 #1 Just Steel (4-1) – Best Bet: Dropping out of graded stakes races; has faced far better and could dominate on class alone. 
📌 #12 Keen Cat (3-1) – Major Player: In great form, versatile, and reliable at this distance. 
📌 #6 Gewurztraminer (5-1) – Value Play: Consistent and improving; fits today’s pace and class scenario. 
📌 #3 W W Scout’s Honor (12-1) – Wildcard: Speed of the speed; if he clears, he might hang on for a slice. 

🔹 Confidence Level: 7/10 Competitive but not wide open—there are solid contenders at the top, with #1 Just Steel likely tough if he runs back to his Arkansas Derby form. Confidence is decent with a good read on the pace and key runners, but several ‘if’ factors in the pace scenario and the field’s depth leave room for a mild upset. 

Race 8 – Oaklawn Park (3/16/2025) – 1 1/16 Miles – Optional Claiming $200,000 / N2L ($130,000 Purse) 

➡️ Track Condition: Fast Dirt
➡️ Race Shape: Moderate pace expected; should favor tactical speed and stalkers. 

💰 Betting Strategy: 

✅ Win Bet: #4 California Sunset (2-1) – Reliable and well-spotted in this field. Best combination of form, pace, and class. 
✅ Exacta Box: 4, 7, 8 ($5 Exacta Box = $30 Total) – Key logical contenders in good form. 
✅ Trifecta Bet: 4, 8 / 4, 7, 8 / 2, 3, 7, 8 ($1 Trifecta = $12 Total) – Covers top runners with potential for value from Ensorcell or Vanilla underneath. 
✅ Superfecta Bet: 4, 8 / 4, 7, 8 / 2, 3, 7, 8 / 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 ($0.10 Super = $7.20 Total) – Adds potential for chaos in the bottom slots. 

🔥 Key Takeaways: 

📌 #4 California Sunset (2-1) – Best Bet: Class edge with strong connections, tactical pace advantage. 
📌 #8 Legal Empress (5-2) – Major Player: Speed threat who could take them a long way on the front end. 
📌 #7 Kinzie Queen (4-1) – Value Play: Improving filly with tactical speed and grit. 
📌 #3 Vanilla (6-1) – Upside Runner: Dangerous late closer who could clunk up for a piece. 

🔹 Confidence Level: 7.5/10 California Sunset looks very solid in this spot, but Legal Empress and Kinzie Queen could make it interesting if the pace heats up. 

Race 9 – Oaklawn Park (3/16/2025) – 6 Furlongs (Dirt) – Allowance $130,000 (Arkansas-Breds) 

➡️ Track Condition: Fast Dirt
➡️ Race Shape: Blazing pace favors stalkers and off-the-pace runners as leaders battle early. 

💰 Betting Strategy: 

✅ Win Bet: #13 Al’s Romeo (2-1) – Class and consistency make him the standout if he draws in. Reliable closer 
✅ Exacta Box: 13, 8, 7 ($5 Exacta Box = $30 Total) – Covers logical top contenders: a closer, stalker, and front-runner. 
✅ Trifecta Bet: 13, 8 / 7, 8, 10 / 4, 7, 10, 11 ($1 Trifecta = $12 Total) – Combines pace scenario players and closes with value underneath. 
✅ Superfecta Bet: 13, 8 / 7, 8, 10 / 4, 7, 10, 11 / All ($0.10 Super = $7.20 Total) – Spreads for chaos in the bottom rung. 

🔥 Key Takeaways: 

📌 #13 Al’s Romeo (2-1) – Best Bet: Class edge, consistent, best late pace. (Draw dependent!) 
📌 #8 Landlord (7-2) – Major Player: Tactical and consistent. Ready to take advantage of the pace. 
📌 #7 Brahms Image (5-2) – Speed Threat: Lone speed potential but faces pressure. 
📌 #4 Gettinby (10-1) – Wildcard: Lightly raced; may take a step forward. 

🔹Confidence Level: 8.5 /10 This race looks to be controlled by a few key players, especially if #13 Al’s Romeo draws in. He’s the class standout, but Landlord and Brahms Image are legitimate threats with tactical advantages if he doesn’t. 

The pace scenario is intense, which makes trip and ride execution critical—one wrong move early and it could open things up for a mid-priced closer.

Final Thoughts

A huge thank you to WoodtheCapper for joining the Aces & Races team and helping us uncover some hidden gems in today’s lineup. Let’s make it a profitable day at the track—good luck, and let’s cash some tickets!