-- Oaklawn/Rebel Results --

We didn't see a whole lot of surprises in handicapping the four race sequence yesterday at Oaklawn until the final race of the sequence. Jockey Joe Talamo pulled a huge upset in taking the lead and never relinquishing it in a six furlong MSW affair, getting #1 Classy Beast home first. It was a big day for "Joe"...he won four races on the day and three of the four in the late Pick 4 sequence. Maybe a play for those who subscribe to the "hot jockey" theory...we didn't have him in the 11th. Such is horse racing. #3 Lucky Betty never fired in the race and #12 Tipsy Gal closed for third but it was a surprising race.

On the sequence, we gave you 19 runners to consider. Out of those, we had three winners, two seconds and three thirds. That's a 42% "in the money" number...not bad but not a profitable one for the Pick 4. We did have one of the Pick 3's in the sequence, but it wasn't a huge payout. 

Our winners were priced OK -- #2 Night Ops returned $15, Serengeti Empress $5.80 and Nadal (who looked incredible from start to finish in winning the Rebel) $3.80.

Put Nadal in your list of horses to consider for the Derby. This Bob Baffert runner got a great ride over the sloppy Oaklawn dirt from Joel Rosario. He heeded the old axiom "When the track is slop, get on top" He duel in front and did not fade in the stretch...holding off Basin and not appearing to get tired in doing so. 

Watch him.

paulie
xxxxx 

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