Whitmore Stakes Predictions, Picks, Odds (Oaklawn Park)

This son of Into Mischief has run a number of strong performances for trainer Karl Broberg in the last few years. He likes to win, and he is no stranger to tough races. 

Since switching to sprints four races back, he has won two stakes races and is eligible to win another on Saturday. He did not fire last time in the slop, but that should only make his odds more attractive here. 

One of the class horses in the field, he can take advantage of a fast pace and rally at this distance. A clear contender, he is a must-use in the exotics in the Whitmore.

This son of Classic Empire did not do much behind Edge to Edge last time when fourth in a salty allowance sprint, but he will get a totally different race set up on Saturday. 

In that race Edge to Edge went right to the lead in the small field and all the others could do was chase. This time around there will be plenty of speed to soften up the favorite. 

After impressively winning two stakes in New York early last year, his record has been spotty, but I believe the talent is still there. This could be a race where he really comes running in the stretch. He is a contender on Saturday.

Pirate Rick

Shipping down from the Northeast, this busy 6-year-old gelding had a four-race winning streak going into January but has lost his last three as he moved up in class. 

Another one with strong early speed, he looks to be part of a contested and hot early pace. All of his wins have come when he goes right to the lead.

While he cannot be completely ignored here, this looks like a tough spot for a speed horse who has failed to stay on in three recent stakes attempts up north.

Miles Ahead

This son of Competitive Edge was able to add two more stakes wins to his total last year, and must be respected as he tries to better his third-place finish behind Gunite and Tejano Twist last time in the sloppy King Cotton. 

He is also a winner of 12 races in 27 career tries, which is all the more reason for respect. In his best races, he likes to stay relatively close and pounce on the leaders, which could be tough in this field, which could be tough with all the speed in here. 

All in all, though, he looks like an interesting longshot who is a real threat to make it into the exotics.

Empire of Gold

Another one with plenty of early speed, this son of Goldencents has turned in some very good results in his career. It’s been a few years since his very best, though. 

Still, his recent form is solid enough to consider, having finished in the top two in his last five races. His back class is also a plus. 

He is fast and game, but the problem here is that there is too much other speed to give him any breathers at any point during the race. For that reason, I am looking elsewhere.

Spankster

Trained by the ageless D. Wayne Lukas, this son of Mastery comes in off a couple of nice performances over the track. 

Two starts back, he finished full of run to be beaten less than a length by Cogburn. Last out, he rallied in the slop to get up for the victory in allowance company. 

He’s never beaten this type of field before, but given his recent form, he is worth considering on Saturday. He also should appreciate a fast and contentious early pace.

Baytown Bear

This gray son of Upstart was a 10-length winner of an allowance race last fall at Mountaineer Park. That has been his highlight of late, as his form is full of losses against stakes competition. 

Most recently, he was a well-beaten fifth behind Flash of Mischief in the Ring the Bell. Perhaps he will break through in a stakes race at some point, but this field looks a little too tough. I can’t recommend his chances here.