Presidents' Day Selections

Oaklawn Park | Race 1 | Dirt | 6 Furlongs | Post 1:30 ET
#6 Strings (8/1 ML) $29.00 winner
Has outrun his cheap purchase price with a 2023 campaign that makes him proven in this spot in more ways than one. Toss last out and his year consisted of never missing the board while both wins came when shipping tracks off a lay-off, something he’ll do again today. He’ll get the attention of being Broberg’s only entry of the day who boasts a 20% lifetime strike rate first off the claim.

Aqueduct | Race 3 | Dirt | 6.5 Furlongs | Post 2:20 ET
#3 Honorable Lilly (20/1 ML)
8-year old flashed improved form off the long break compared to her condition here a year ago. She was close up with tougher early in the needed race and now faces weaker. Very enticing price if this ML is for real. Owns the field’s fastest early speed last time out, certainly something to build upon here.

Oaklawn Park | Race 3 | Dirt | 6 Furlongs | Post 2:35 ET
#1 West Coast Harbor (8/1 ML)
Didn’t draw ideal having to flee the rail here as a debut runner but still worth a glance if the odds are right. Trainer Michael Puhich and Owner Dr. Mark DeDomenico have consistently sent out first timers in good sorts hitting the board 6 of their last 7 unveilings. DeDomenico runs an equine training and rehab center while also having claim to a Kentucky Oaks victory.

Aqueduct | Race 5 | Dirt | 8 Furlongs | Post 3:22 ET
#5 April Antics (6/1 ML)
We can excuse the slop try and consider this one eligible to get right back on track where condition was looking to be trending toward a peaking point in a long, durable campaign of 11 cashes in 14 races in 2023. Runner is well-versed with today’s track and distance and now draws the meet’s leading jockey in Win % over who has hit the board at 50% last 7 days.

Aqueduct | Race 7 | Dirt | 7 Furlongs | Post 4:26 ET
#6 Give Me Kisses (5/1 ML)
Dangerous in here on potential after laying a nice foundation of races that featured good conditioning for an inexperienced runner and has already shown the ability to show up professional when fresh. Pletcher 3/9 winners and 7/9 in the money with dirt sprinters off 60-180 day breaks for today’s connections.
#8 Towhead (9/2 ML)
Today’s trainer and jockey are both meet leaders on their own but together excel even more posting 43% winners at this track over the last year as a combo. Trainers’ starters returning from 180+ days off going Route to Sprint on Dirt had 2 wins and 2 places from 5 starts in 2023.

Oaklawn Park | Race 7 | Dirt | 6 Furlongs | Post 4:46 ET
#9 Hess (20/1)
Will obviously need to move forward a good amount facing winners in second career start, but liked the potential shown on debut. Despite some stress of a slow start then being rushed to contention still in backstretch, he strided out a decisive win when many others would have tired late with that tactic. When facing winners first time, Trainer Randy Morse is just 8% Winners and 35% ITM, but if you filter those starters to today’s owner, we see a jump in runner talent to 30% Winners and 70% ITM.

Aqueduct | Race 8 | Dirt | 6 Furlongs | Post 4:57 ET
#10 Majestic Laura Ann (6/1)
Trainer Bruce Levine has won with his last 3 debut starters at the Maiden Claiming level and is 21% over the last 5 years. Jockey Eric Cancel is heating up suddenly winning 3 of 5 mounts the last couple days. Half-siblings’ PPs are riddled with pace-setting efforts and Dosage Index of 15.00 supports the possibility this one could flash some serious early speed.