Oaklawn Park Feature Races Preview - 02/04/20

Todd Pletcher has accounted for three of the previous seven winners of this $1m prize so Gouvernour Morris has to be feared. He was well backed in the Florida Derby but had a poor start to the race and caught the eye at the finish.

At 11/2 he looked a good e/w bet but he is now best priced 4/1 and race-favourite Charlatan looks like another superstar for Bob Baffert, who has also won this race twice in recent years.

He is stepping up markedly in grade but nothing has got close to him in two career starts and he is bred to be a proper graded stakes horse.

The Oaklawn Handicap is a competitive event outlined by the fact Todd Pletcher is the only trainer to win this more than once in the past 15 years.

It looks another open race and we would advise betting e/w, with the selection being William Mott’s Tapit colt Tactius.

Repping the famous Juddmonte colours, this 4-y-o steps into handicap company after finishing a respectable fifth in the Saudi Cup.

He is partnered by former Champion Jockey John Velazquez and has a fair draw in stall 9.

Bob Baffert has another potential star at the top of the market in the second division of the Arkansas Derby. Nadal is unbeaten from two career starts and shapes as though this new trip will be within reach.

A 5/4 he is plenty short but it would be a surprise to see one of these beat him.

At a bigger price Farmington Road is worth a look each-way. This son of Quality Road won with plenty in hand last time out and might just hit the frame upped in class.