Oaklawn Park
Ali's Birthday may provide clues to Essex in Friday feature
Click Here for video
The eighth race Friday at Oaklawn could give some insight into the Essex Handicap on Saturday. Ali’s Birthday is the horse to beat in a second-level optional $35,000 claiming sprint after he was overtaken on the wire last out by Ride On Curlin, the starting highweight for the Essex.
Ali’s Birthday put up strong fractions when he met Ride On Curlin in an optional $30,000 claimer at Oaklawn on Jan. 15, leading the field through an opening quarter in 21.80 seconds and a half-mile in 45.20. The start was the first since April for Ali’s Birthday, who last year was an allowance winner at Oaklawn.
Calvin Borel has the mount on Ali’s Birthday for Iron Horse Racing and trainer Randy Morse.