Handicapper Tips & Picks

#1 UPSCUTTLED makes a belated return from a sneaky good BTL debut, one EX worthy from the TROUBLES+ to the middle BURST finishing in a blanket for the minors.

#2 RUMORED brings in the benefit of recency on the two week turnaround and upgraded with the BTL effort in a less than ideal TACTIC- TRAFFIC TROUBLE trip in the second start and returning under similar MCL conditions.

#4 GUNGAGUNGAGALUNGA could be live showing up off the long layoff and returning to form they can compete and present a front running threat in this field. 

#1 FLAT DISCOUNT brings in improving form with the races this season and upside in this second start of the form cycle along with the change from the recent races when protected in starter allowance company and the two open claiming events this season as well. 

The Fire Contention and higher 56 SpeedRate should assist runners from off the pace and #8 TOUR THE MOON with that Q4 Square runstyle and projected to IMPROVE from the effort back in December. 

#5 I AM THE GAME has a similar Plot position and the benefit of recency looking to return to a peak effort with a pair of TRAFFIC trips since the B effort back in 12/12 common race with TOUR THE MOON. 

Those two dropping back in class where #1 SAN MARCO CITY return under similar conditions making a sneaky CLOSE in the 1/17 common race. 

That noted Contention/SpeedRate could play against ML favorite #9 RANSOMWARE as they step up in class following the N2 win just over a week ago, an effort that could present REGRESS. Their presence in this race and showing earl speed could put pace pressure on #4 CABALLO FELIZ though preferred of the two all things considered and at similar odds. 

#10 PLATINUM DIVA is logical on the class drop and going back to the November claiming race at DMR recorded B OptixGRADE - a winning effort for the level, a CLOSE and BLANKET finish noted with the 4th place outcome. 

#11 MEGAN'S NOEL requires a lot of racing luck to win with their off the pace runstyle though plenty of price compensation to sprinkle in with progressive form this season and their late kick Q4 Square should have pace to close into and perhaps less obvious than their stablemate #7 ZIGGZAPPA returning from a B- TRAFFIC trip closing out 2024, looking for a similar off-the-pace trip.

#11 XANDER moves up on the class drop in this second start of the season and in today's race shape should not have any race shape excuse. The EX - EXCUSE's piled up for #6 METALHEAD back 10/31 and 12/6 and upgraded on the DROP last month and can be given an X_FLOW upgrade from the 1/4 race showing up here. 

Would keep an eye on #14 BRIO should they draw in to upgrade with live connections and could be sitting on a peak effort back at the right level for their abilities. 

#2 A LITTLE CANELA has a longshot look in this race as this would be the time and place for them to pop with a peak effort. The debut was competitive last May while green and off that figure could project enough of a forward move that would be right in line with today's par and rivals. Today's race marking the second start of the cycle, a change in class from the 1/17 return and a Flow upgrade making their MOVE into a Fast early and Very Fast late pace. 

#5 ROCKAWAY REEF is another longshot that could pop under today's conditions. They return from the belated 193-day layoff though going back to last July, the race at this level raced X_BIAS over the off track and appeared peaked on the day and placed properly to compete. 

This race presents opportunity for value as #8 SULLY is WEAK in that assigned ML favorite role. They have come up short under similar conditions and race par without much excuse to open the door to others. 

#10 DAIRAGO makes their first start on this circuit though given a hidden class edge from the races in California, each of those three turf starts carried a much higher par than today's race to move up naturally.