Competitive Field of Ten Set for $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap

Race Day has been installed as the favorite in the contentious field at morning line odds of 5-2 for trainer Todd Pletcher. A four-year-old son of Tapit, he has been on the board in all seven starts and earned the first graded stakes victory of his career last time out in the Razorback Handicap (G3) as the favorite over five rivals. He has been training forwardly since then and will break from the rail under jockey John Velazquez.

Golden Lad going for two wins in a row

Todd Pletcher will also saddle the second choice, Golden Lad, at odds of 7-2 on the morning line. A five-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro, he has won half of his twelve starts and has won two of his three starts at Oaklawn Park. Last time out, he won the Essex Handicap at Oaklawn over a field of seven and will be making his third start of the year. Mike Smith will be aboard for the first time and they will break from post position five.

Tapiture trying to return to winning form

Also in the field at morning line odds of 9-2 is Tapiture for trainer Steve Asmussen. A four-year-old son of Tapit, he is trying to move forward after finishing fifth in the Razorback Handicap (G3) in his first start of the year. He has won four of his thirteen starts and is a multiple graded stakes winner. Bred and owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, he will have regular rider Ricardo Santana, Jr. aboard from post position three.