Oaklawn Park Picks: Hot Springs Stakes Kicks Off Derby Prep Week (3/26/2026)

Chris Adams

Written by: Chris Adams

Published: Thu Mar 26, 2026, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 6 minutes

Oaklawn Park

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The racing action from Oaklawn Park on Thursday features the Hot Springs Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Oaklawn Park picks for the entire card!

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Oaklawn Park Full Card Analysis

Oaklawn Park Picks: Hot Springs Stakes Kicks Off Derby Prep Week (3/26/2026)

Oaklawn Park Picks: Hot Springs Stakes Kicks Off Derby Prep Week (3/26/2026)

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:30 PM CT; Maiden Claiming $30k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

  • #7 SAVING HEART (5-2): Prime Win Player. Barn has been solid. Stamina to outlast the competition.
  • #3 BOLT'S TREASURE (4-1): Contender. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Asmussen puts this one in with a chance.
  • #1 JOEWILLY (3-1): Contender. Could wear these ones down late. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
  • #8 AMENTUM (6-1): Fringe Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 1 – 8

The Plays

Win: #7 at 3-1

Exacta: 7/ 3,1,8

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:03 PM CT; Claiming $42k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

  • #6 BOURBON'S FAULT (3-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Should be able to work out a trip.
  • #7 WAR OF DESTINY (6-1): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Stamina to be in the mix late.
  • #4 ROYAL BRO (9-2): Contender. This one's a fighter in the late stages. Has experience at this level.
  • #8 AERATE (12-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Could be griding down the competition late.

Selections: 6 – 7 – 4 – 8

The Plays

Win: #6 at 7-2

Exacta: 6/ 7,4

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:34 PM CT; Allowance Optional Claiming $125k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

  • #4 SPITFIRE (8-5): Top pick. Barn has been solid.
  • #5 KNICKLEANDIME (6-5): Major Player. Running well of late. Likely to get forward position.
  • #6 AGRIPPINA (6-1): Contender. Should sit a good trip. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #7 PRIVATE DEBBIE (20-1): Contender. Asmussen and Asmussen team up on this one.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 6 – 7

The Plays

Win: #4 at 9-5

Exacta: 4/ 5,6

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:06 PM CT; Starter Optional Claiming $59k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #4 WESTERN WARRIOR (6-5): Top pick. Looks good based on the 82 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #5 PERFECT AUDIBLE (12-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Likely to get forward position.
  • #3 HIGHLY CONNECTED (9-2): Major Player. Has been running well enough recently. Torres and Williams team up on this one.
  • #1 BIG TECH (10-1): Major Player. Race shape gives this one an edge. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 3 – 1

The Plays

Win: #4 at 6-5

Exacta Box: 4,5,3

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:38 PM CT; Allowance $125k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #8 HONEY'S TO BLAME (7-5): Top pick. Races that could beat these. Top connections on the circuit with Esquivel and Mcpeek.
  • #3 TWO DOLLAR EDDIE (2-1): Major Player. Productive recent form. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
  • #7 READY SHOES (10-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
  • #2 AFLEET SKY (15-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 8 – 3 – 7 – 2

The Plays

Win: #8 at 8-5

Exacta: 8/ 3,7

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:12 PM CT; Claiming $45k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #3 HERN (9-5): Top pick. Decent form of late. Barn has been solid.
  • #5 FEAR OF UNION (20-1): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Good race flow for this runner.
  • #2 SWISS GUARD (12-1): Major Player. Torres puts this one in with a chance. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
  • #1 J T'S IMAGINATION (10-1): Major Player. Could be griding down the competition late.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 2 – 1

The Plays

Win: #3 at 2-1

Exacta Box: 3,5,2

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:45 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $110k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

  • #3 DARE GREATLY (7-5): Best bet of the card. Looks good based on the 90 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #6 BLACK MAGIC RIVER (8-1): Fringe Contender. Likely to get forward position. Can run with these.
  • #4 WARRIOR SOPHIE (15-1): Fringe Contender. Pedigree fits in this spot. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #7 HOLLY'S HOLIDAY (15-1): Underneath. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Esquivel puts this one in with a chance.

Selections: 3 – 6 – 4 – 7

The Plays

Win: #3 at 1-1

Exacta: 3/ 6,4

Pick 3 (races 7-9): #3 with #1, 6,7 with #3

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:19 PM CT; Hot Springs Stakes $200k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

  • #1 DESERT GATE (6-5): Top pick. Top connections on the circuit with Prat and Baffert. Looks good based on the 98 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
  • #6 STRATEGIC RISK (20-1): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Seems to be up against the right competition.
  • #7 SOLDIER N DIPLOMAT (8-1): Major Player. Speed figs match up nicely. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #5 TOP LEVEL (4-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 7 – 5

The Plays

Win: #1 at 6-5

Exacta Box: 1,6,7

Oaklawn Park Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:52 PM CT; Maiden Claiming $31k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #3 TIMS (4-1): Prime Win Player. Strong early pace figs. Favorable class relief in this spot.
  • #2 I'LL MISS YOU (15-1): Contender. Should take a liking to the race shape. Bealmear and Johnston team up on this one.
  • #6 EXPENSIVE GAME (3-1): Contender. May be able find the right setup. Vazquez and Caster team up on this one.
  • #7 MCBRIDGE (5-1): Contender. Bloodlines fit this race. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 6 – 7

The Plays

Win: #3 at 9-2

Exacta: 3/ 2,6,7

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Chris Adams
Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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