I couldn't get a handle on this race even though I like Asmussen horses Zing Zang and Combatant best. I hit the all button in the Razorback and Southwest w/the winner in the last to save face. Bet Zing Zang across the board. Thought this was interesting from the trainer:
trainer Steve Asmussen, second with Combatant, with Zing Zang and eighth with Retirement Fund – “I thought Retirement Fund struggled with the track. You could tell early. He broke sharp, but he never leveled off at any point. Combatant ran solid. He made up the difference on Mourinho, but was second best again today. Zing Zang, I was really concerned with as big as he is and as heavy as he is about him handling this track.”
Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., second with Combatant – “He had the perfect trip. It was really fast, which worked for my horse. He ran his race. That was a tough race. I was happy with him.”
I would think a big, heavy horse would of loved the slow deep surface. Besides the winner, thought Sporting Chance ran well off the long layoff and having bone chips removed.
http://www.oaklawn.com/news/2018/feb...hwest-victory/