Oaks Blogs

Maybe you have your Oaks and Derby horses already picked.  But before you place that Oaks/Derby Double wager, have you considered the possibility that one jockey could sweep the bet?

Robby Albarado is on Derby morning line fave Curlin, and he'll have the call on Oaks entrant Dawn After Dawn.  I liked her Ashland effort, but she didn't show much on dirt before that.  However, if you like Albarado, you will be rewarded handsomely if he pulls off the old one-two.

Corey Nakatani will ride for Craig Dollase and J. Paul Reddam aboard Cash Included on Friday before switching barns, but not silks, to ride Great Hunter on Saturday.  Toss, toss.

John Velazquez and Octave will team up in the Oaks for Todd Pletcher, and she will be the solid second choice in the betting.  Velazquez could have ridden Cotton Blossom, but chose this one instead.  In the Derby, he gets the call on Circular Quay, who I don't like. 

Speaking of Cotton Blossom, Edgar Prado is not a bad replacement for regular rider Johnny V.  Then he will jump on Scat Daddy in the Derby.  I won't be using Scat Daddy, but I'm not happy about it.  Know what I mean?

Julien Leparoux has the call on longshot Swift Temper in the Oaks, and longshot Sedgefield in the Derby.  If you like that combo, make sure you bring your social securtiy card to the track on Saturday.

Garret Gomez will try to get big favorite Rage To Riches to the winners circle, and then he and Any Given Saturday will team up in the main event.  There won't be much value with this combo, but if you like Any Given Saturday you pretty much have to play it.

Flying way under the radar in both races is David Flores, who will guide Mistical Plan and Liquidity for Doug O'Neill.  You won't have to worry about fair value with that combo, and there are worse places to put your money.

If she can overcome the 14 post, High Again could be a factor with Cornelio Velasquez, who will ride Nobiz Like Shobiz on Saturday.  I have to play this combination, even though I like a filly to be named later for the win.