Friday Cardinal Couple - Oaks Day Selections

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Paulie and Sonja select the Oaks Day Card.

As has become tradition here at Cardinal Couple, we devote the next two days to the Kentucky Oaks (today) and the Kentucky Derby (Saturday). We're proud to give you UofL women's sports the other 363 days a year. We will return to Cardinal Couple coverage of women's sports on Sunday.

Remember, the picks below are only for entertainment purposes. After Thursday at the track, we could use a little entertainment. Like standing in line and actually cashing a nice ticket. Saturday and Wednesday's successes didn't carry over...unfortunately. Here we go, gang...

RACE 6 -- The La Troienne

Paulie

This one appears to me to be a two horse race. #4 Believe You Can and #5 On Fire Baby look to be the class of the field of seven. Rosie Napravnik is on Believe You Can and I believe she can. They've won four out of there last five races together. My top pick. On Fire Baby will give it all she's got...but is second best. If you need a third for a trifecta...Joel Rosario on More Chocolate looks solid.

Sonja

I see it as a three horse battle. #4 Believe You Can and #5 On Fire Baby will get a tough battle from #2 Authenticity. I like the John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher angle on #2. I'll box these three in an exacta. My winner is #5 On Fire Baby. She's 2 for 3 at Churchill lifetime. Also, love the local connections with Gary Hartlage and Joe Johnson.

RACE 7 -- The Edgewood

Paulie

A tough turf race at a mile and one sixteenth. #10 Wave Theory has the class edge here and is my pick. No one is better on the turf than Julian Leparoux and he's on board for Chad Brown. #9 Tokyo Time goes for Shug McGaughey and barely missed at 1-1/8th miles at Gulfstream. He'll be there to pick up the pieces if Wave Theory falters. #6 Private Ensign, with Corey Lanerie in the saddle tries the grass for the first time. I think she's going to love it and could surprise at a big price.

Sonja

#3 Kitten's Dumplings gets Joel Rosario for Michael Maker's hard charger. They see her tail as they cross the line. #9 Tokyo Time holds on for second and I will figure #5 Birdlover into all exotics I do. She hasn't been worse than second the last three times out.

RACE 8 -- The Eight Belles


Paulie

#3 Blueeyesintherein should love the stretch out to seven furlongs and pulls off the upset under Jon Court. #14 Calistoga will set the pace and could get away from them if no one contests her early. #12 Dancinginthecircle completes a huge price trifecta with Rosie on board.

Sonja

They won't catch #14 Calistoga with Joel Rosario aboard. #2 Fusaichiswonderful will try with Castellano up for Todd  Pletcher and #4 Sittin At The Bar will close late and make a race out of it.

RACE 9 -- The Alysheba


Paulie

A really tough mile and a sixteenth to figure here. #5 Richard's Kid, #4 Hymn Book, #8 Bourbon Courage and #9 Cyber Secret Could be in a blanket finish at the wire. I'll take Bourbon Courage but use all four in exotics. Castellano and this horse do good work together. This is the most closely matched field of the day. None of these nine running would surprise me if they win.

Sonja

I'll go with #4 Hymn Book, but #6 Take Charge Indy and #9 Cyber Secret will be close. It is a tough race. #7 Macho Macho appears to be just a bit overmatched here but if he runs like he did here at Churchill last May, then he could spring the upset and should be included.

RACE 10 -- The American Turf


Paulie

#9 Admiral Kitten figured it out at Keeneland with an incredible 1-1/16th turf race he should have won and Mike Smith will get him home first today. #4 Noble Tune has won three out of four lifetime and will be tough with the stretchout today. Beware of #5 War Dancer coming late. Has won his last two and Alan Garcia is on board again.


Sonja

#4 Noble's Tune will sing his way over these today. #2 Bashaar surprises for second at a big price and #9 Admiral Kitten is third best....maybe second if they get him moving earlier than in the past.

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BONUS COVERAGE --WE TOSS IN ONE FOR TOMORROW!!!!

SATURDAY'S -- Woodford Reserve Turf Classic


Paulie

It's a two horse race here. #8 Wise Dan and #9 Point of Entry. John Velazquez has ridden both in the past and is on Point Of Entry today, so that's my pick. Whoever you want for third...maybe #4 Silver Max? If all goes well, though...we should see a classic battle in the Churchill turf stretch between #8 and #9.

Sonja

I'll agree with Paul that #8 Wise Dan and #9 Point of Entry look awfully tough here. #3 Optimizer has been a little off form in his last two, but if Joel Rosario can find the magic powder for this D. Wayne Lukas horse, he could threaten.


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RACE 11 -- THE KENTUCKY OAKS


Paulie

I love #3 Beholder here and she's my top pick. I'll also use #2 Midnight Lucky and #8 Dreaming of Julia. It actually wouldn't surprise me to see #2 or #8 win...but it's #3 Beholder for me. If my budget is unlimited by this race, I'll toss #4 Unlimited Budget in the gimmicks.

Sonja

I'll agree with Paul. Beat #3 Beholder if you can. I'll also use #2 Midnight Lucky, # 8 Dreaming of Julia and #9 Rose to Gold.  #4 Unlimited Budget looks awfully good too. A tough exotics attempt to wager. These five, in exactas and trifectas.

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