BOBCAT HOPING FOR DREAM WIN IN THE OAKTREE

Arkansas is known as “The Natural State” and the beautiful rivers and picturesque  scenes of nature will provide the perfect back drop to this years running of the Grade II Oaktree Handicap. A race for all horses 4yo and up over the world famous Arkansas mile and one eighth dirt circuit. The track curator has assured us the surface will be fast on a beautiful sunny day, so without further ado, let’s take a look at the eight combatants.

1 – SHAMALANGADINGDONG(KY) – stormcat55 – 4/1 – This horse is named after a word from the 1961 hit by Barry Mann “Who Put The Bomp” and could play them a merry tune here. This 5yo don of Forestry ran a nice second over a mile in Grade III company last start after being beaten soundly the start before at the top level. Appears to relish this 9 furlong trip more than anything else and definitely has an element of class about him. He is efinitely one of the main hopes here.

2 – HECAMETOMEINADREAM(JPN) – bobcat – 7/2 – Has the perfect form for this race with a win over this distance and surface at this level last start when he produced a sensational speed figure of 112. He has also won over this distance at Grade I and Grade III class and looks to be the perfect entrant here. A son of Deep Impact, he has already won over a million dollars in prize money and I’m tipping he’ll add to that here.

3 – OIL PLATFORM(ENG) – 77 – 11/1 – In a race where the bulk of the horses seem to come home from back in the field this 4yo colt by Medicean could pinch a soft lead for a lot of the trip. He has two thirds to his credit at Grade I level in recent times, both over longer races where he led and was run down. Can he hang on here? Possibly not but there’s a chance he can. It may pay to include him in multiples.

4 – FLYING BRYAN(KY) – ascot – 6/1 – His last win was 5 starts back at Stakes level over 8.5 furlongs. The main concern with this 5yo by Royal Academy is that the win we speak of is his only top three finish at his last eight outings.  A lot of those races have been Grade I races and that has to be given some credence but personally I’d prefer to wait to see him produce something a bit closer to a win before I could invest on him with any confidence, take on trust.

5 – A PLEASANT QUEST(KY) – irebreed – 9/2 – Has 7 top 4 finishes from his last 8 starts and is a model of consistence. Trainer irebreed always seems to have this horse extra fit and today should be no exception. The main concern being that his last two wins have come at allowance level and he has struggled to crack a victory in stakes events, he has met a few good ones here and will need to be at his very best.

6 – ATLANTIC BOLT(KY) – bigarnie – 6/1 – Raced over this distance last time out but found a Grade I field a little too hot for him. Was only beaten a length into third the start before, also over this distance at Grade II level but in a race restricted to 4yo’s. His form prior to that had been a little below his best. For this 4yo by Stormy Atlantic to win here he would need to run the best race of his career and trainer bigarnie hopes he can.

7 – LIBOKO(ENG) – dreamscity – 7/1 – This guy absolutely demoralized a Grade III field over 8.5 furlongs last time out, winning by 3 lengths and producing a speed figure of 113. That is superb form for this race here. He has been consistent over distances similar to this and looks to be at  the very top of his game right now. A win here could signal the start of something big for this son of Selkirk.

8 –  OLYMPIC IDEAL(ENG) – desimster1 – 7/1 – Ran home into 4rd place in a Grade I race at this distance last start and saluted the start before over 8.5 furlongs in allowance company. If nothing else that at least indicates he is in form.  Won some very good races over distances similar to this last year as a 3yo and is yet to really catch the eye since he has turned four.  We would need to see a return to the halcyon days for this English bred 4yo son of Red Ransom to see him worry the top few here. Place hope.

This race seem to have two distinct class groups in it and we could see a break away pack of 3 or four as they sprint for home.

I’m selecting 2-7-1-6

Good Luck And Good Punting

BUTCHA