Saudi Crown well spotted in Oaklawn Mile

The biggest and brightest stages have not generally been kind to Saudi Crown, who nonetheless has bankrolled more than $3.2 million in earnings. However, Saturday's $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) appears to be one of those spots the Grade 1 veteran can shine in.

Although ineffective in a pair of Breeders' Cup appearances, in a Dubai World Cup undercard fixture, and in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) in his most recent start, Saudi Crown has otherwise been a dangerous racetrack performer. One example came two starts ago in the Dec. 21 Tenacious S. at Fair Grounds, when Saudi Crown powered home two lengths clear of next-out stakes winner Kinetic while earning a 100 Brisnet Speed rating.

There are at least two serious threats to Saudi Crown in the Oaklawn Mile. Banishing has been in excellent form all winter at the meet, winning twice and nearly lasting the entire 1 1/16 miles of the Razorback H. (G3). Then there's Grade 1-placed The Wine Steward, who returned from a 7 1/2-month layoff on Jan. 25 to gut out a neck victory in the Fifth Season S. for trainer Mike Maker.

A restricted $145,000 overnight stakes, the American Pharoah over 1 1/16 miles, has some quality to it. Grade 2 scorer Honor Marie makes his first start since trailing in the Travers (G1) last August and is joined by Maycocks Bay and Bishops Bay, both of whom passed on last week's New Orleans Classic (G2).

Earlier in the card, Almostgone Rocket resumes her racing career in the $250,000 Matron S. for older fillies and mares over six furlongs. The Brad Cox-trained daughter of Into Mischief captured her first three starts last season by a combined margin of 22 lengths, including an eight-length romp in the Jersey Girl S. at Saratoga.