Happy Saturday & National Fruitcake Toss Day!
Get ready to toss out those fruitcakes and enjoy a day at the ponies from Oaklawn Racecourse in Hot Springs, Arkansas. We have a total of ten races scheduled, including two stakes races and one derby prep race, to keep you entertained leading up to the NFL games today. The last time we had a card, we headed to the Big Easy on New Year’s Day, where we picked five top winners, yielding an ROI of 20%. However, we also had six other selections that resulted in an ROI of -21.1%.
The featured race today is the ninth race, named after a former unbeaten Kentucky Derby winner. Weather-wise, it will be chilly and gloomy, with high temperatures in the mid-40s and overcast skies. Fortunately, the rain seems to be holding off, so the track should be in good condition. Since Oaklawn only has a dirt track, remember to disregard any turf numbers you might have and prepare for a day focused on speed!
Before we delve into the picks, let's take a closer look at our featured race, along with some track history and bonus content from Aqueduct, where another derby prep is also taking place today!
The Smarty Jones Stakes is an annual race held at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and serves as the first leg of the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series. Named after the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Smarty Jones, this race is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds and offers a purse of $250,0001. The top five finishers earn points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis, contributing to their eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. The race covers a distance of 1 1/16 miles on dirt, and it has become a significant early indicator of potential Derby contenders.
Oaklawn Park, located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, has a storied history dating back to its opening on February 24, 1904. Founded by John Condon, Dan Stuart, and the Cella brothers, Louis and Charles, the track was designed by celebrated architect Zachary Taylor Davis2. The inaugural meet saw more than 3,000 attendees and featured six races a day. Despite early political challenges and closures, Oaklawn reopened in 1916 and has become a premier racing venue1. The track is known for hosting the Arkansas Derby and other prestigious races, contributing significantly to the local and national horse racing scene.
Need help pickin' winners? We've got you covered! Our Lundin Line's - (Always Free) top picks and best bets are below in this post. We use them to help narrow the field while putting our tickets together. The first post will be here soon, so don't be late -
It's time to get #InTheMoney! 💰💰💰
Oh, and don't forget to follow us @_TurtleSports and subscribe to our site so you don't miss any of the action. You'll be glad you did! Let's Ride & Vão pássaros!🦅
Oaklawn Park 🏇🏾 // Sat., Jan. 4th, 2025
First Post @ 12:30 (CT) / 10:30 (PT)
R1: 2-6-3-7
R2: 14AE-5-3-10-9
R3: 10-5-6-3
R4: 6-11-8-5
R5: 1-8-10-6
R6: 13(AE)-6-7-10-8
R7Ⓢ: 7-2-9-4
R8: 6-10-1-5
R9Ⓢ/DP: 1-6-8-7
Bill: 1-6-8-3
Mr. Fink: 6-8-7-5
Mr. W.: 1-8-6-3
R10: 13(AE)-11-4-1-2
⭑Best Bet(s)
R4: Briterdayzahead (#6)
Ⓢtakes Races
R7: 150K Mockingbird S.
6 Furlongs on Dirt for Fillies, 3-Yr. Olds
R8: 250K Smarty Jones S.
1 1/16 Miles on Dirt for 3-Yr. Olds
Derby Prep Race / Pts. = 10-5-3-2-1
🏇 150K Jerome Stakes @ Aqueduct
Race No. 8 - Post Time @ 3:39 (ET) / 12:39 (PT)
1 Mile on Dirt for 3-Yr. Olds
Derby Prep Race / Pts. = 10-5-3-2-1
🐢 Lundin Line: 7-6-8-4
Bill: 6-7-8-3
Mr. Fink: 7-8-6-4
Mr. W.: 7-8-6-4
The Jerome Stakes is a historic American horse race held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York. First run in 1866, it is the second-oldest stakes race in the United States, following the Travers Stakes. Named after Leonard W. Jerome, the maternal grandfather of Winston Churchill and founder of Jerome Park Racetrack, the race has seen many notable winners, including Aristides, the inaugural Kentucky Derby winner in 1875, and Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000.
From our friends at National Day Calendar
Hit us up @_TurtleSports and let us know what you think!
-TSL
/ As always, please forgive any typos and grammatical errors
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