Races of the Week and Ohio Stakes Selections

Last week, Christmas Kid won the Ashland Stakes, paying $21.00 to win, $5.80 to place, and $4.20 to show. Sam P. finished third in the Santa Anita Derby, paying $3.20 to show. Mending Fences won the John B. Connally Breeders' Cup Turf Handicap, paying $8.20 to win, $5.20 to place, and $7.00 to show.

Today, the Daily Racing Form's races of the week are the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park and the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland, which is also Equibase's race of the week.

In the Arkansas Derby, I'll bet Officer Rocket, who encountered some trouble in his last start in the Rebel Stakes. The Form provides free past performances.

In the Bluegrass Stakes, I'll bet Dominican. Both of Dominican's wins have come on Polytrack. His Beyer figures are a bit below those of Great Hunter and Street Sense, but he might be able to take a step forward today, and if he does, he'll pay a nice price. The Form provides free past performances.

In today's Howard B. Noonan Stakes, a 6-furlong event for Ohio-registered 3-year-olds at Beulah Park, I'll bet Head To Toe. Head To Toe ran badly in the Rushaway Stakes last month, but now is back among Ohio-breds. There is a lot of speed in today's race, and Head To Toe can come from off the pace.Beulah Park provides free past performances for Noonan nominees. Equibase provides entries.