We’re on the racetrack Monday afternoon in Oklahoma and Arizona. Will Rogers Downs opens their yearly spring meet today. There are two other race tracks for wagering at Parx and Louisiana Downs.
This week leads to the $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby (Gr. 1) at Fair Grounds. It’s the first 100-50-20-10 and one of the biggest prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. We are going to be in New Orleans to play Fair Grounds for Derby Day.
For more horse racing picks on Monday, find our link to the Will Rogers Downs page. Turf Paradise has $143,730 in prize money through eight races.
Head below for our best Turf Paradise picks on March 21, 2022.
Race 1
Post Time: 1:25 p.m. PST
Distance: 6 ½ Furlongs
Purse:$14,500
The first race at Turf Paradise is a $14,500 event covering 6 ½ furlongs on the dirt. Heart River and Crookhaven Lass should run well with a chance at the top prize.
Heart River is 2 for 23 in her career going into Monday. In her most recent attempt, Heart River defeated Info’s Treasure by ¾ lengths in an $11,480 assignment.
That was good work from Heart River after finishing 6th and 5th in his previous two races. She was coming off 5th on January 19 in a $15,120 race.
Back up in class for Heart River, this could be tough against Crookhaven Lass. Crookhaven Lass is coming off a win as well.
In this outing, Crookhaven Lass beat Southern Venture by a neck for a $15,400 prize. It was a nice response after finishing 8th in a $21,000 assignment.
This looks like a repeat for Crookhaven Lass if he’s interested on Monday.
Race 6
Post Time: 3:40 p.m. PST
Distance:1 Mile
Purse:$12,290
Race 6 is a $12,290 event covering a mile on the dirt. This race looks like a battle between Kona Coast and Perfect Come Back.
Kona Coast is 14 for 45 and 3rd, 6th, 1st in his previous three assignments. He is on the heels of a win by a nose for a $13,020 purse on February 22.
It ended up close at the wire, but Kona Coast got there in wire-to-wire form. It was an impressive win after struggling in 6th on January 25 for a $13,020 purse.
He’s inconsistent and can be hard to trust. I feel better with Perfect Come Back in this one. He is 2nd, 4th, 1st in his previous three races.
Perfect Come Back is coming off a 1 length win over call You Tomorrow for $13,020. He edged clear over Call You Tomorrow in the stretch.
I’d look to the No. 4 to get the best of this field on Monday.
Race 7
Post Time: 4:07 p.m. PST
Distance: 6 ½ Furlongs
Purse:$27,500
Race 7 covers 6 ½ furlongs on the dirt for a $27,500 purse. Look confidently at Departure and Black Ops to strike with a win.
Departure is 2nd, 4th, 1st, 1st and coming off back-to-back wins. In his most recent run, Departure defeated Sebastian’s Boy by 4 lengths in a $28,000 event.
This win came after a 1 ½ length win for Departure over First Call in a $26,600 race. Departure is likely going to be involved in this one.
Black Ops is 8 for 43 and should handle this assignment after dropping out of stakes territory. He is 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 6th in his previous four races.
After finishing 6th in the $100,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile Handicap, Black Ops is down to $27,500. In his most recent win, Black Ops defeated Tw Skipping Stones by 1 length in a $27,300 race on December 13.
In a manageable class again, expect Black Ops to be too tough in this one.
