Horse Racing Nation Expert Picks: 2022 Apple Blossom
The Apple Blossom Handicap takes place at Oaklawn on Saturday. Letruska and Ce Ce are the defending champions.
#1 Maracuja is a longshot, but she's worth playing. Letruska is coming back off a layoff and will face some pace pressure from #4 Miss Imperial. Ce Ce has shown she can sit off the pace and she has experience on the Oaklawn surface. Clairiere is going to win this race.
Letruska is the favorite, but it's hard to look past Letrusca. Clairiere is poised for a big season and is likeliest to receive the torch.
Letruska won the Apple Blossom last year. Clairiere impressed in her final start of 2021. Ce Ce is a longshot, but she should be able to get a piece of this with her late run.
Ce Ce is on top of her game and should work out a nice stalking trip in her third start after a layoff. Maracuja won this race in 2020 and has a smart local score in the Azeri. Letruska is the target.
On the Board: #3 Clairiere, #5 Ce Ce. Ce is a solid router but a top-class going shorter than this distance. Letruska is fast enough early to make the top and stay the distance, while Clairier is an off-pace horse who can make an early move.
