Oaklawn Park Picks for Friday, February 6:

OAKLAWN PARK MEET OPENS: The annual Championship Meet opened on Thursday with a 10-race card. When all was said and run, chalk ruled the day until the finale when a longshot scored at 17-1. As a result, the average $2 Win ticket for the card still returned a little less than $10. The Asmussen duo of trainer Steve and son jockey Eric each had three Wins. Mr. Ed will return for Southwest Day tomorrow.

HORSING AROUND: After his up-and-down days of success and failure at Gulfstream Park, Mr. Ed has decided to give Oaklawn Park a try for a few days. Friday’s 12-race card offers several solid wagering opportunities, including the $1 million G3 Southwest stakes for 13 sophomores hoping to gather qualifying points on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Several top jockeys, Jose Ortiz, Joel Rosario and Luis Saez among them, are on hand for the weekend, as well as popular trainers Steve Asmussen, Mark Casse and Tom Amoss. First post time on Friday is 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.

Mr. Ed’s Selections at Oaklawn Park for Friday (2/06)

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Race 1 — $75K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs going 1 mile
Mr. Ed is betting on a pair in the first leg of the Daily Double: #2 PRIME SUSPECT (7-2 morning line) for trainer Aaron Shorter with Cristian Torres riding, and #12 RECKLESS (3-1), trained by Mark Casse and ridden by HOFer Javier Castellano.
OAKLAWN PARK SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles of 2,12/3,12. ($20)

Race 2 (12:59 p.m. ET/9:59 a.m. PT) — $31K CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed likes #3 MAGIC GRANT (7-2 morning line) for trainer Edgar Espinoza and rider Assael Espinoza; and #12 FACE VALUE (4-1) for trainer Cipriano Contreras and jockey Amir Mendoza. Either of these two for the money.

Race 4 (1:59 p.m. ET/10:59 a.m. PT) — $62K CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed is betting on #8 PAYNE (5-2 morning line) for journeyman trainer Wayne Potts and jockey Francisco Arrieta. No Payne, no gain.
OAKLAWN PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)

Race 5 (2:29 p.m. ET/11:29 a.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 6 furlongs 
It’s time for an Exacta Box, including #3 BABY VINO (4-1 morning line) for under-rated trainer Lindsay Schultz; #5 MACTAK (6-1) for trainer Steve Asmussen, adds blinkers for expensive colt’s second start, and #7 CACTUS CHARLIE (7-2) for sharp trainer Peter Miller. 
OAKLAWN PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 3,5,7. ($30)

Race 6 (2:59 p.m. ET/11:59 p.m. PT) — $300K MARTHA WASHINGTON STAKES for 3YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes favorite #6 HIT PARADE (2-1 morning line) for underperforming trainer Brad Cox with Luis Saez returning to the saddle. Gal is going for four in a row. Hit or miss.
OAKLAWN PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race 8 (3:58 p.m. ET/12:58 p.m. PT) — $135K GENERAL MACARTHUR OVERNIGHT STAKES for 4YOs going 1⅛-mile
I’ll take a shot with #8 ENERGIZE (8-1 morning line) for excellent trainer Mike Stidham, who brings veteran Luis Saez back to ride. If the gelding can repeat 95 speed rating, he’s the won. 
OAKLAWN PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)

Race 9 (4:28 p.m. ET/1:28 p.m. PT) — $125K ALLOWANCE for 4YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
I like favorite #5 VITAL MIND (8-5 morning line). Steve Asmussen trains, Jose Ortiz returns to ride. Mr. Ed wants no part of losing his mind.
OAKLAWN PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race 10 (5:04 p.m. ET/2:04 p.m. PT) — $135K BULGER OVERNIGHT STAKES for fillies, 4YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Fancy-dancy Mr. Ed likes #5 FOIE GRAS (3-1 morning line) for Mike Maker and Flavien Prat, the French Whisperer. 
OAKLAWN PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)

Race 11 (5:40 p.m. ET/2:40 p.m. PT) — $1 MILLION G3 SOUTHWEST STAKES for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile 
My BEST BET OF THE DAY is #3 BUETANE (4-1 morning line) for Bob Baffert, who hires Joel Rosario to ride. First-class combo keeps sophomore among leaders on Derby Trail. Guy’s a gas.
OAKLAWN PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

TOTAL WAGERS: $150

MR. ED’S BIG GAME BETS
NEW ENGLAND +4.5 
UNDER 45.5
MVP: Andy Borregales, NE Kicker

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