Oaklawn has a ton of action on Saturday’s card including 2 graded stakes in the form of the G1 Apple Blossom for fillies and mares 4yo and upwards and the G3 Count Fleet for horses 4yo and upwards. The G3 Count Fleet has had some nice editions in the past, such as last year’s race when Mitole and #9 Whitmore battled each other in the slop. Mitole won the slugfest and went on to win the Breeder’s Cup Dirt Sprint later that year before being retired to stud. #9 Whitmore, however, is still a hard-trying 7 year old and has already won this race twice (2017,2018). His efficient record at this track (13/8-4-1) definitely puts him as the one to beat in this field.

The rest of the field is filled with talented multiple stakes winners such has #3 Hog Creek Hustle, winner of the G1 Woody Stephens, and #4 Bobby’s Wicked One, a G3 winner who finished an admirable 2nd to Mitole in a G1 at Churchill Downs last year. Also in this field is Bill Mott’s infamous #7 Hidden Scroll, a horse who looked to be a monster on the TC trail but ended up with a very tumultuous 2019 campaign. He did score a 104 beyer at Gulfstream for his 4yo debut and gets Martin Garcia on for the first time so maybe 2020 is his year. Hronis/Lane’s End’s #2 Flagstaff has been running against some good company but this field might be too strong despite it being a G3. #11 Nitrous has won a race on this track before and doesn’t look like one to be considered as a winner but he has come very close to talented horses such as #3 Hog Creek Hustle and Shancelot. He gets the services of Ricardo Santana Jr today who leaves #10 Share the Upside who beat #9 Whitmore two races back.

The forecast shows sunny skies as of Thursday so cap with a dry track in mind. There’s a ton of speed in this race and expect #7 Hidden Scroll and #4 Bobby’s Wicked One to go upfront and #9 Whitmore to be a bit off the pace. #3 Hog Creek Hustle and #11 Nitrous will be flying late but #3 Hog Creek Hustle seems to be a bit distance limited since he’s only won at 7f and hasn’t won at 6f yet. Meanwhile, #11 Nitrous already has a win at 6f at this track so keep that in consideration.

A: #4 Bobby’s Wicked One, #9 Whitmore

B: #11 Nitrous

C: #2 Flagstaff, #3 Hog Creek Hustle