Oaklawn: Grade 2 Handicap features strongest field of 2020 Race Year

By Rick Francis —-

Race 12) 1&1/8th Mile. Oaklawn H. Grade II. Purse $600,000 FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Post Time: 7:04/( 6:04)/ 5:04/ 4:04 ADVANCED FORECAST: Sunny, High 82, Low 64

1) Chess Chief- Into Mischief colt has been a steady earner finishing in the money in half of his 14 starts, a last third in the G2 New Orleans Classic adds him to the exotics mix.

2) Trophy Chaser- colt enters having won two straight, a gut check Grade 3 Challenger at Tampa in last; bullet work in prep for this.

3) Bravazo – multi-millionaire hasn’t found a board spot in his last five starts, won’t in this.

4) Mr. Freeze – Pegasus runner-up comes in off six straight board finishes all against the world’s best; you get anything close to his 6-1 morning line, jump !

5) Identifier – contest sets up well for this winner of two straight as he once again gets an honest pace to run into.

6) Warrior’s Charge – colt has won 4-of-5 and led every call with Preakness 4th being the exception; obvious win threat.

7) Combatant – winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap has found success over the Hot Springs oval as his 6 1-3-1 record attests; he’s a coast-to-coast player and ‘knows” this bunch.

8) Sky Promise – Temperance Hill winner has found his footing here and is another who can blow-up exotics.

9) Tacitus – Tapit colt makes his first start back in country after finishing once again bhind Maximum Security in the $20 million Saudi Cup; he’s a big timer who’s faced the best on the planet; win threat.

10) Captivating Moon – in the big picture, he’s light against these.

11) Tax – Arch 4-year-old has proven he can bounce back off poor performance which was his last start in the G1 Pegasus.

12) By MY Standards – Louisiana Derby winner took the necessary time off after dismal Kentucky Derby effort and has rewarded connections with back-to-back to kick off 2020; will be one of the years best handicap players going forward.

13) Night Ops – winner of two straight has never finished out of the money here in five attempts; Castellano gets the call for this.

14) Improbable – certifiable mile player and though Hall of Famer Bob Baffert gets them ready for second go rounds, the mile is his route.

Selections: 4, 6, 7, 9, 12 – any order !!!!