Horse racing odds are one of the rare options on the betting board during the COVID-19 pandemic, with races still being held behind closed doors at select tracks. **video
Racing analyst Monique Vág focuses on the odds at the active North American tracks and gives her best horse racing tips and betting picks for Saturday's racing card.
OAKLAWN PARK, RACE 7
6 Furlongs, Purse: $61,000 Allowance, Post: 5:06 p.m. ET
No. 9 CARDAMON (9/2): She looked so impressive in her pari-mutuel debut opening up to a very comfortable victory. Next start she broke slow which cost her any type of chances late, and last time out she just tired on the front end. On Saturday, look for her to be put into play early and likely the one dictating the tempo. If she can slow things down and rate well on the lead, she will be very difficult to pass late in deep stretch.
GULFSTREAM PARK, RACE 10
1 Mile, Purse: $48,000, 100k Optional Claiming, Post: 5:20 p.m. ET
No. 11 HALLADAY (6/1): He has more than enough early speed to overcome the difficult outside post. I would expect to see this horse put into play early and likely trying to work out a trip similar to the one he executed two starts back while finding the winners circle.
Today he gets to drop in class out of the graded stakes ranks to face off against easier against optional claimers, and based on the way he's been racing lately, he's in too sharp form to ignore.
GULFSTREAM PARK, RACE 11
7 Furlongs, Purse: $46,000, 75k Optional Claiming, Post: 5:52 p.m. ET
No. 3 I'LL FIGHT DEMPSEY (9/5): Looked super impressive in his debut at the sprinting distance. Since then he's put forth three very impressive works and off that pari-mutuel debut, he definitely looms as the one to beat.
There isn't a ton of early speed here, so I would expect a similar effort when put into play early in an attempt to wire the field. The price will be short at post time.
OAKLAWN PARK, RACE 9
6 Furlongs, Purse: $100,000, Purple Martin Stakes, Post: 6:09 p.m. ET
No. 1 KIMARI (4/1): Returns to racing on the dirt after a few very impressive efforts versus stakes company racing over the turf. Although she rallied nicely in her last start, she was left with too much work to do late and stood no chance off that type of trip.
The move back to the dirt is an intriguing option, and obviously a good nod of confidence considering how well she's raced over the turf. Although two of her recent breaks have been slow, with a clean break she should be the one to get a jump on her main rivals and the one on the lead early.
OAKLAWN PARK, RACE 10
1 Mile and 1/16th, Purse: $60,000 Maiden, Post: 6:38 p.m. ET
No. 8 MO AND GO (6/1): He's been steadily improving and based on recent efforts, seems very close to breaking his maiden soon. Today he makes his second start off a three month layoff, should be much sharper, and could be working out a stalking trip behind some of the early speed. He does get to face off against the easier group of maidens he's yet to be up against, and looks to be a good play to hit the board at a nice price.
