Off to the races: Garrity picks the horses at Fonner Park in Nebraska and Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma
Just two tracks are scheduled to run today, Fonner Park in Nebraska and Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma. We’ll play a pair of races at each. We expect fast dirt at both. Let’s go.
Will Rogers Downs, Race 3, 3:15 pm ET
Maiden Special Weight, 6 furlongs, Dirt, 3 & Up
Nine maidens will go three-quarters of a mile in the 3rd at Will Rogers. 6-Past Visions is a strong play: he’s a 4-year-old who finished a good second in a maiden special race at Remington Park in November, then took a short break, then tried a $50k maiden claimer at Oaklawn Park on February 7. He was trounced in Arkansas, which is not all that surprising, as the maiden races at Oaklawn are probably the toughest in the country right now. He drops into a much, much softer spot here, and we expect him to win this easily. We will bet him to win at 2-1. The bet: Will Rogers Downs, Race 3, $40 to win on 6-Past Visions.
Fonner Park, Race 1, 5:00 pm ET
Maiden Special Weight, 4 furlongs, Dirt, Nebraska-bred Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
This state-bred dash drew a field of nine. We’re going with a first-time starter who looks promising: it’s 6-Platte Girl, a 3-year-old filly who starts for David Anderson. She looks like a runner: she had a workout on March 13 when she drilled 4 furlongs in 47 ⅖ seconds, and while a repeat of that work that may be quick enough to win this, we think she should run a few ticks faster. That makes her strictly the one to beat in this modest group. We will bet her to win at 5/2. The bet: Fonner Park, Race 1, $30 to win on 6-Platte Girl.
Fonner Park Race 3, 5:54 pm ET
Maiden Special Weight, 6 furlongs, Dirt, 3-Year-Old Fillies
Ten maiden sophomore fillies will go to the post in this one. The fillies who have raced before have not run all that much, so we’re looking to another first-time starter here, and it’s another filly trained by David Anderson: it’s 8-D L’s Girl. She has also worked very quickly in the mornings and may just have enough ability to prevail against this modest field. She’s 8-1 on the morning line, and while we think that she will be shorter at post time, we will bet her to win nonetheless. The bet: Fonner Park, Race 3, $25 to win on 8-D L’s Girl.
Will Rogers Downs, Race 9, 6:15 pm ET
Allowance, 6 furlongs, Dirt, Oklahoma-bred Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
This first-level allowance race for state-bred females drew a full field of twelve. It’s a surprisingly strong group. We like the filly way on the outside, the delightfully named 12-Okie Queen, a 4-year-old who starts for trainer Joe Offalter. She has good speed figures, very high early speed, and the coveted outside post. These three things are lethal when combined, and that means that for us, Okie Queen is a go. We will bet her to win at 3-1. The bet: Will Rogers Downs, Race 3, $35 to win on 12-Okie Queen.
That’s all for today. We’ll be back tomorrow, if there are any races run. Until then, be safe, and good luck at the windows.