Oaklawn Park’s ‘Stakes’ gives several a chance to prove they belong

By WIZCAPPER
Updated: April 11, 2020

Free Oaklawn Stakes past performances for April 11, 2020 at Oaklawn Park

The field for the $200,000 Oaklawn Stakes for 3YOs hoping to gain ground on the top runners currently on the Road to the Kentucky Derby by taking advantage of the postponed date of the running of the 146th Kentucky Derby on September 5 at Churchill Downs.

The Oaklawn Stakes will go as the 11th and final race on a the Saturday card in Hot Springs, Arkansas where racing continues without a fan in the stands.

The full field of 13 is headed by Thousand Words. A three-time winner for Bob Baffert, he was 4th in the G2 San Felipe behind stablemate Authentic. He’ll open as the favorite with a chance to lead them from the break.

Thousand Words chases home Baffert’s ‘Authentic’ Derby horse in the San Felipe

The Official Field for Race 11 at Oaklawn Park for Saturday, April 11, 2020

The Oaklawn Stakes Field

PP	HORSE	TRAINER	ODDS
1	Basin	Asmussen	7-2
Last two over an off track but sunny skies in the forecast at Oaklawn today. Big win came in G1 Hopeful over stablemate Shoplifted, winner of the Springboard Mile. Gets new rider plus added distance in second start of the year.
2	Coach Bahe	Bauer	20-1
Ranged up for run down the lane with Basin in the Rebel but failed to go on. Took a 1 mile MSW at Fair Grounds before that when exiting a key race on turf three back. Regular rider back aboard for high percentage trainer. A fast track might do him wonders.
3	Mr. Big News	Calhoun	30-1
Exits the split division Risen Star which saw Excession return as runner up to Nadal in the Rebel. Deep closer will need plenty of help up front to get there for all the marbles but a piece is in play.
4	Thousand Words	Baffert	5-2
First three trips to the track were a success. Run off his feet by stablemate LTO in G2 San Felipe. Gets new rider and enters off a bullet 6F move here a week ago. Expect ML favorite to control the pace but don’t expect any stamina from the dam’s side.
5	Sir Rick	Diodoro	15-1
Won the Mine that Bird Derby in last. And was on his way to the Sunland Derby before that one was cancelled. Will put pressure on the favorite’s chances to steal it. Lack of previous quality competition is concerning.
6	Shoplifted	Asmussen	10-1
Struggled to win the Springboard as a maiden vs. winners – but he did. Exits the G3 Southwest which lead to Wells Bayou’s win in the Louisiana Derby. Like that! But he’s 0 for 2 at OP. Expect Santana to take back to get a piece in the end.
7	Flap Jack	Sisterson	20-1
Turf and Polytrack success didn’t translate LTO in the G3 Gotham. Expect him to be sent from the start but his last out effort wasn’t impressive despite being wide and tiring off 180 day layoff. Pass.
8	Taishan	Baltas	8-1
Was 4th behind Authentic three back in the Sham. And 5th in the key Southwest two back. May have shown his highest honor ability LTO exiting the SW when taking an $80K OC N1X. Rosario sticks. Shot to upset.
9	Digital	Calhoun	8-1
Another with high hopes of exiting the Risen Star with success. But the two divisions of the Risen Star did not produce the Louisiana Derby winner. Pace pressure is about as much as he’ll provide to the outcome. But won’t be there in the end.
10	Something Natural	Cox	20-1
Cox says ‘why not’ with this two-back $80K OCN1X winner here. It was one of two starts on a fast track, and his best footing. But there’s no comparing his effort to Taishan’s under same conditions. Did finish 2nd to Wells Bayou three back. Hmm.
11	Background	Puhlich	12-1
Plenty of confusing moves between this guy and the two to his outside. Baze replaces Garcia on Gold Street. Garcia takes the mount on Farmington Road for Pletcher. Rocco lands here after 3rd behind Taishan. Deep tickets player.
12	Farmington Road	Pletcher	6-1
Pletcher is 0 for 2 at OP. Garcia gets the call in possible attempt to gain favor with TP. Gets blinkers and equipment changes are often the key to turning things around with a horse. Gotta put him on your tickets.
13	Gold Street	Asmussen	20-1
Garcia replaced after troubled trip LTO in Southwest. But Santana sticks with Shoplifted. Baze is a good rider and will have this guy sharp from the gate. But 3 wins came on off going. It’s fast today.