Handicapper's Corner: 2025 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1)

 Wagering Tactics for the Apple Blossom Handicap

By: John Caro, ThoroFan Handicapper

The $1.25 million Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap is Oaklawn’s premier race for older fillies and mares. When I got the chance to write this, my comment was, “This will be a brief article.” And it will be.

The 1 1/16 mile event attracted seven contenders despite the presence of last year’s Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna, who is making her 4-year-old debut. The Apple Blossom is featured as race 11 of 12 with a 5:48 PM CT post time.

#6 Thorpedo Anna is reminiscent of Rachel Alexander in the last decade. Winning against almost all comers, including the boys. If this is a class race, she wins based on the level of races and her competition. What a great record, and her speed figures are amazing. After a four-month layoff, she comes back in the Azeri to win by 3+ at this track and pushed a 95 Brisnet speed figure over a wet sealed track.

The thing is, there is only one in the field on the PPs that shows speed that can come close to her last, and that’s #5 Where’s My Ring at a much lower class rating, some 8 points below that of Anna’s last outing. And this is Anna’s second off the layoff. Better is yet to come.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some who have faced Anna in the past and made some money in the placings.

#3 Free Like a Girl came in second to Anna in the Azeri at 20-1 and has the most ITM experience over this track. #7 Wild Bout Hilary won the Bayonkoa here by a head against Free Like a Girl at 7-1 in a field of 8.

The others

We have a state-bred sprinter coming off a 386 day break in #4 Noble Miss, an Optional Claimer coming in for a low-level trainer who’s new to the mare in #1 Sweet Alyssa, and Steve Asmussen brings a black type racer who hasn’t hit the board since a turf race in November. I don’t think any of the three can match the skills of those above, let alone Anna.

How to play this, and is it worthy of playing.

If you’re a gambler, of course, you’ll play because that’s what you do. But what is to be gained? Don’t expect a big payday if Anna wins, which is highly likely. She only paid $.10 on a dollar last out.

If you’re a Handigambler, here is some options……a single wager and/or a punt and a multi-race wager.

$5 Superfectas  -  6 with 3,5,7 with 3,5,7 with 3,5,7  = $30

The Punt  - $5 to Place and $8 to Show on 3 and 7 if their odds stay above 7-1 = $26

Multi Race wager

$1 Pick 3 Race 9,10,11  -  8,9,10 with 1,4,6 with 6 =  $9