Oaklawn Park Picks- Essex Stakes (03/22/2025)

The racing action from Oaklawn Park on Saturday features the Essex Handicap. @HandicappingT3 has all the Oaklawn Park picks for the entire card!

Full Card Analysis

Bet all of today’s selections with signup bonuses and promotions at BetOnline.

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:35 PM CT; Maiden Claiming $34k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #5 SPEECHLESS (2-1): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Race sets up perfectly.
• #1 VINO VIDI VICI (5-2): Contender. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Running well of late.
• #7 PRIMO CANARY (5-1): Contender. Not likely to be short in the stretch.
• #8 MAGIC MOVER (6-1): Fringe Contender.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 7 – 8

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:06 PM CT; Maiden Claiming $32k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 14 runners.

• #1 DEVLISH GAL (2-1): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #11 CHAPTER AND VERSE (8-1): Fringe Contender. Seems to be up against the right competition. Good race flow for this runner.
• #4 ALOHA BABY (15-1): Worth a look. Could wear these ones down late.
• #13 PARIS ACCORD (15-1): Fringe Contender. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 1 – 11 – 4 – 13

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:37 PM CT; Allowance $130k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #5 I’M WIDE AWAKE (2-1): Top pick. Shouldn’t have trouble getting the distance. Should be able to work out a trip.
• #2 SITKA (3-1): Major Player. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #1 B SUDD (5-2): Major Player. Has been running well enough recently. Should sit a good trip.
• #4 BRESLAU (6-1): Contender. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 1 – 4

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:09 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $110k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #1 AVERY’S MISCHIEF (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Should be able to work out a trip. Stamina to outlast the competition. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.
• #6 RATIONAL THEORY (4-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Can run with these.
• #9 BOLT ON THE ROCKS (6-1): Major Player. Having this jockey up can only help the chances. Likely in the mix early.
• #10 COASTER (7-2): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 9 – 10

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:40 PM CT; Claiming $32k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 14 runners.

• #12 SOUTHERN SUNSET (12-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #5 BRITERDAYZAHEAD (5-2): Major Player. Speed figures match this group well. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
• #13 DR. SOULFIRE (8-1): Major Player. Could wear these ones down late. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.
• #3 I’M NO JOKE (2-1): Fringe Contender. Should still have enough in reserve in the final furlong.

Selections: 12 – 5 – 13 – 3

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:12 PM CT; Claiming $65k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #2 DOUBLE BARREL (7-2): Top pick. Could be ready for a top effort. Races competitive with the top contenders.
• #8 CREATIVE MINISTER (3-1): Contender. Running well of late.
• #5 CAROLO RAPIDO (9-2): Contender. Has experience at this level. Has been running well enough recently.
• #1 MENDELSSOHNS MARCH (4-1): Fringe Contender. Least likely of the short prices but wouldn’t be a total shock in the winner’s circle.

Selections: 2 – 8 – 5 – 1

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:46 PM CT; Purple Martin Stakes $175k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #1 ACCELERATING (7-5): Top pick. Looks good based on the 82 speed rating, which is among the top in the group. Race sets up perfectly.
• #6 GLEE (5-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #4 KIMCHI CAT (8-5): Contender. Speed figs match up nicely. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
• #2 BATTLESHIPPER (20-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 4 – 2

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:18 PM CT; Claiming $40k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #10 MARTINI BLU (7-2): Top pick. Looks good based on the 91 speed rating, which is among the top in the group. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #7 IAN GLASS (15-1): Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #3 WITHOUT OBJECTION (4-1): Contender. Should sit a good trip. Could wear these ones down late.
• #8 ESPIONAGE (3-1): Fringe Contender. Recent races are solid. Ran at this level last out.

Selections: 10 – 7 – 3 – 8

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:51 PM CT; Claiming $65k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #5 TOP GUN TOMMY (7-2): Top pick. Shouldn’t have trouble getting the distance. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #1 BOURBON HEIST (3-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #10 PAYNE (5-2): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
• #9 MORELLO (15-1): Fringe Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 10 – 9

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:25 PM CT; Essex Handicap $500k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #5 KINETIC (8-5): Best bet of the card. Proven competitor at this configuration. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #3 TARANTINO (3-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Likely to get forward position.
• #1 RED ROUTE ONE (15-1): Major Player. Should sit a good trip. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.
• #4 PATRIOT SPIRIT (9-2): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 5 – 3 – 1 – 4

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 5:56 PM CT; Claiming $35k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 13 runners.

• #10 TO TOO TWENTYTWO (20-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #13 WHERE’S RANDY (3-1): Contender. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Good race flow for this runner.
• #11 HOLUS BOLUS (7-2): Worth a look. Has experience at this level. Speed figs match up nicely.
• #5 STUCK N SNOW (9-2): Fringe Contender. Competitive enough in recent efforts. Should still have enough in reserve in the final furlong.

Selections: 10 – 13 – 11 – 5

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Saturday Analysis

• Fair Grounds Picks featuring the Louisiana Derby offering Kentucky Derby Prep points
• Gulfstream Park Picks featuring the Texas Glitter Stakes
• Oaklawn Park Picks featuring the Grade 3 Essex Stakes
• Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes
• Turfway Park Picks featuring the Jeff Ruby Steaks offering Kentucky Derby Prep points