Free Horse Racing Picks and Tips for Oaklawn on Friday, April 24, 2020

Oaklawn continues its thoroughbred racing schedule on Friday, April 24, 2020, with a healthy mix of starter, maiden, allowance, and claiming races.

After a brief respite earlier in the week, the forecast in Hot Springs, Arkansas, calls for a return to scattered thunderstorms, with highs in the upper 70s, a 40% chance of rain, and winds at 11 mph.

But why brave the storms (even if you could)? You can find Oaklawn’s complete 10-race card, with entries, jockeys, trainers, and wagering options at these reliable horse racing betting sites.

Post time for the first race at Oaklawn for Friday, April 24, 2020, is 1:05 PM (CDT).

• Backshot, D Cohen, 8/1
• Big Cheddar, O Mojica, 6/1
• Shanghai’s Dream, R Santana, Jr., 8/1
• Golden Notion, F De La Cruz, 4/1
• Little Instigator, A L Canchari, 30/1
• Cavalry Charge, J Talamo, 6/1
• Ahnaf, S Elliott, 12/1
• Ragtime Blues, M Garcia, 3/1
• Mister Kelly, T Baze, 15/1
• Derby Date, D Cannon, 9/2

Ragtime Blues is the moneyline favorite at 3/1, with Golden Notion and Derby Date close behind. Ragtime Blues is a Bob Baffert trainee, so he’s got that going for him. But rival hotshot trainer Steve Asmussen has two horses in this race, both at much longer odds. My impulse is to go with one of Asmussen’s proteges for the surprise ending, but frankly, I like Derby Date, trained by relative unknown Jack Sisterton, for this race.

Derby Date is one of the most experienced horse in this field, with nine career starts and two finishes in the money. No wins, of course, since this is a maiden race, but I think with jockey Declan Cannon in the irons, he can change that.

• Strike That, D Cohen, 3/1
• Pete’s Play Call, M Garcia, 7/2
• Strolling, J V Bridgmohan, 8/1
• Midnight Swap, R E Eramia, 30/1
• Volatile, R Santana, Jr., 4/1
• Hot Shot Kid, A L Canchari, 8/1
• Lullaby Bling, D Cannon, 50/1
• J. E.’s Handmedown, S Elliott, 30/1
• D’ Rapper, J Talamo, 20/1
• Tut’s Revenge, W De La Cruz, 30/1
• Nifty, L S Quinonez, 5/1
• Battle Station, R A Vazquez, 10/1

Also Eligibles:

Moneyline favorite Strike That, with David Cohen aboard, is the horse to beat this race, and with Pete’s Play Call at 7/2 and Volatile at 4/1 following close behind, this might be one of those photo-finishes I keep hearing about. On the other hand, it might be a surprise victory for D’ Rapper, the winningest horse in this race. D’ Rapper has 36 career starts, 24 of which were in the money and a gobsmacking 16 of which were wins.

Of course, there’s no shame in making an insurance bet on Strike That in the post position at 3/1 odds, so go for it.

• No Parole, J Talamo, 3/1
• American Butterfly, S Elliott, 9/2
• Bubba Bling, R Santana, Jr., 15/1
• Rager, T Baze, 20/1
• Liam’s Pride, M Garcia, 6/1
• Mr. Tip, D Cannon, 12/1
• Dark Oak, W De La Cruz, 8/1
• Royal Commission, F De La Cruz, 20/1
• Moonachie, D Cohen, 15/1
• Hop Kat, J Rocco, Jr., 7/2
• Juggernaut, R E Eramia, 12/1
• Happy Hour Cowboy, A L Canchari, 20/1

Also Eligibles:

The moneyline thinks No Parole, Hop Kat, and American Butterfly are the most likely to succeed in this race, but I’m of the mind that Bubba Bling at 15/1 is an unnoticed win waiting to happen. Bubba Bling has five career runs, has made money in every one of them, and two of those were wins. And trainer Steve Asmussen has Ricardo Santana Jr. aboard for the run.