Handicapper Tips & Picks

In terms of #2 RICHIESONAROLL without question they fit as the horse to beat; though that horse has not been seen since October 2024, 583 days ago, and returns with just one published work. In the past when they have run off the layoff they have come up short of their best and while granted not the most ideal placement in those races, all around that must be considered when assessing value.

Perhaps some of the equalizer in this case is the layoff pattern from others in this field (like #5 WILDWOOD SICILIAN another who often needs a race off the layoff) including their stablemate #4 CORTESE. This is where E. Giles lands despite having consistency on both runners for the connections. CORTESE fits on class and even with the change coming back in this spot when comparing previous race par.

On recency, the pair of A. Hernandez runners bring in that edge: #1 SOUND OF VICTORY cuts back in distance and perhaps that change is what they need, at the same time is unproven and no real excuse with pace losing ground on Very Slow early race shapes in their two most recent starts. In terms of tactics up until those two starts, SOUND OF VICTORY had not been a front runner and perhaps that comes as a change here along with rider and distance. #3 TWIRLING ROSES has at times been more effective on the lead, the change in class with the slight rise is noted. 

This is kind of a tricky race given the complexion of this field and shorter 5f turf sprint distance. That must be considered for #1 SINE QUA NON arguable the “best” in the race though still must work a trip. O. Mojica aboard appears key all around and from their race record together, near perfect when accounting for the place photo for win off the layoff last September.

While #3 JOURNEY can be assessed as an E/EP front runner, he is not necessarily that runstyle sprinting, more route speed. The other two front runners with #2 RAVIN’S RANSOM and #5 MONSIEUR CANDY stablemates from L. Rivelli are not likely to engage to defeat in a duel though could still see a nest of the speed situation.

MONSIEUR CANDY wheels back second off and from a common race on 5/14 with #4 BAL A KAZOO at HS Indy. Despite the order of finish and noting different style trips and intent on the day both recording B- OptixGRADES and BAL A KAZOO upgraded second off while showing up on this circuit where  they have come up short on the win end at times, though competitive all the same. 

Looking at the Plot, the early pace should be honest though still does not compromise the trip completely for the Q1/front running group. That scenario should assist ML favorite #1 GLOBAL EMPIRE though at the same time does require a return to a top and has been on a long campaign. Reasonably this should be the time and place with the change in class and despite the 5^th place outcome had a subtle SHUFFLE trip and making a CLOSE late. #2 LUCKY BOSS fits similarly on the Plot, and while picking up a win under similar conditions on 5/10, today’s par is much higher.

The other Q4 runner, #4 NEW YEAR SURPRISE less “strong” as a Circle, though has the recent NO_PUSH and higher class (open claiming/OC) events creating some “dirtied” up form. That change noted with the WIDE trip and DROP Projection coming back from the 5/7 start. They could find another change to upgrade should the front wraps come off for today’s race, something to look for in the paddock.

In terms of that early pace, barnmates #3 BLURT bringing in recency second off while #6 U S HONOUR NAP returns from the layoff and going back to the 11/17 common race with BLURT earning the B OptixGRADE on the day making the early WIDE MOVE and finishing in a photo with the top five in a blanket type finish. 

#2 ROYALLY SASSY holds a class and speed figure edge to consider as a solid contender in this race. Heir form at TP in MSW company was consistent recording B- OptixGRADES in all three and noting the TROUBLES+ stumbling out of the gate making a WIDE RUSH in that mist recent on 3/26. Since then the barn has been looking for the grass scratched when the races came off the turf on 5/25 at HS Indy to point here instead.

#4 R BEE GEE also looking to get back to the turf (also scratched from that same 5/25 event) and upside since their debut last September with a legitimate EX – EXCUSE. They wanted to show more early speed on 5/2 forced to rate (TROUBLE_S RANK) and should be more assertive here especially noting J. Felix aboard.

#6 BETHS VENGEANCE one of two 4yo in the field (#3 CATNIP HILL the other) physically looks on the TURF side, the surface they had pointed for prior to the surface switch in the 5/7 debut. They should benefit from the start (and fitness WIDE RUSH NO_KEEP NO_PUSH) and encouraging after taking time to get to the races wheeling back in under 30-days for this second start. 

The early pace should be honest for this turf sprint with the runstyles of the field bring Class to the forefront of the handicapping. #2 TIZMEONEMORETIME finds the change in class- and likely shorter odds as a result in this spot compared to the other races this season. They were competitive under similar N2 claiming conditions last season and fitness to upgrade along with the recent TURF, PREP DROP Projections all lining up here.

Even with the odds shift, TIZMEONEMORETIME should be longer than common rival #6 WILDWOOD ADIOS those two both recording B- OptixGRADES in the common races last season. WILDWOOD ADIOS as an individual fits on that front and intent third off with the distance change, should see them tracking today after setting the pace going longer three weeks ago in the 5/21 start.

#7 DAISY MAE ATTACK can also be upgraded while taking a more subtle change from the open company event. And progressive numbers especially when isolating the turf starts. Based on Standard Plot they found find the right front running trip and even look to have that slight pace edge. 

#2 SHE STOPPED SHORT should have some pace to chase and extra half-furlong to work with in this spot. She has held her form against the previous shorter distance race dynamics this season. In addition, today’s race par is slightly lower than the previous N3 events to move up on that front as well.

Smooth Claret returning to win from the 5/14 common race also bodes well for #4 SHARP ATTACK contesting the pace on the day and another who looks to appreciate the racing this season, now third off with the subtle 6f distance change.

#3 ANNIE’S HOPE has used the sprint-route-sprint pattern in the past and improved with that cycle for the barn going back to the 10/12 B OptixGRADE effort finishing in a phot for the win. That looks to be intent all around and even a further positive with a front wrap removal. 

#3 ROCKET HOTSHOT returned with the front wraps off the layoff on 5/17 though still recording a B OptixGRADE that day making an inside SAVED MOVE. Overall this horse has held their form for the connections and well-paired with E. Giles historically to hold form once again here. Should also note today’s change in class, a much lower race par than anything they have seen in quite some time if ever.

Their stablemate #7 JET FLIGHT also with the class change and current form to hold in this spot and look to return to winning ways. Trip has been subtle this season with the PREP GALLOP+ sprinting off the bench and less than ideal TACTIC- from the rail and WIDE moving off the inside early. The draw moses them back outside and has been progressive number wise off the layoff in the past keying off the numbers in 2025. Similar form should hold for today’s rail runner #1 ELECTRIC CHARGE though also finds a Plot position shift back to a Q4 Square.

In terms of #6 STRONGER TOGETHER they appear live off the layoff with O. Mojica aboard. They can be assertive to run on or near the lead, though with others to their inside and fellow layoff returnee #2 CONI’S COUP could fall into a tracking trip looking for first run.

#4 DEL RAYO also second off and while moving to the main track, is another finding a significant softer race par with the more obvious class drop. They likely needed the race and given the level, less of an issue with the surface switch as they are capable of showing early speed as well as number of the main track from their debut win at CD back in 2023 and the two FP figures run last October both on par for this race and consistent with their current turf form.

#5 ICE AXE perhaps in a meaningful stretch out in distance third off and back around two turns for the first time this year. They sprint most of their career and the 2025 campaign over the course and distance while recording the FLOW added win sprinting last July. 

5-WILDWOOD SICILIAN races for the first time this year and he hasn’t been especially good off layoffs, but he had four drills over the last month in preparation and he’s facing one of his easiest fields ever. 4-CORTESE is another making his 2026 debut. Late runner will likely be chasing top pick early but could run that rival down late in the stretch. 3-TWIRLING ROSES might be in a little deep, but he does like racing at this distance and he could finish full of run.

Very competitive race. 1-SINE QUA NON is my selection but it is far from a strong one. He finished sixth in last at Churchill but probably needed the race since it was his first start of the year. In three previous local starts, he won twice and lost the other by a neck. But he does come from off the pace and the short distance of this race could compromise his chances. 5-MONSIEUR CANDY has been racing regularly so should be at the top of his game. He has some versatility but think he’ll be pressing the pace or going right to the lead in this spot. He hasn’t finished out of the money since July. He will be tough. 4-BAL A KAZOO is another who needed last. He hasn’t been as effective recently as he was when he was younger, but his first race of the year wasn’t bad. Expect any move he makes to be late.

5-PEOPLE FORCE was in too tough in his last start, but he did beat a group similar to this in his previous, start. Drops back to the right level. He isn’t likely to get the early lead but should never be far back. 2-LUCKY BOSS tries to make it two in a row. Late runner should get plenty pace ahead of him. Can take them late. 6-U S HONOUR NAP makes his first start of the year. He finished 2025 with three straight second-place finishes. However, those races were for different connections. Not sure how he’ll run for this barn.

4-R BEE GEE has had trouble in every race; at the start in two of three. But she still ran well enough to finish third in her most recent start. This race is a bit shorter. That might work in her favor. 6-BETH’S VENGEANCE finished last in her career debut but that race was originally scheduled for turf and moved to the main track. She was also in a different barn for that contest. Worked a local bullet since. Deserves another chance. 5-VERONICAFORTHEWIN just missed. She was wearing down the winner in that race, but the wire came up too fast. She’s in tougher today but this race is considerably longer and around two turns. It could make the difference.

7-DAISY MAE ATTACK turns back in distance. She won her 2026 debut on dirt but faded late when they stretched her out on turf for her last start. But runners completing the sprint-route-sprint cycle often finish with a ton of run. 6-WILDWOOD ADIOS will be fighting for the lead. She did run well in four of her five turf races. However, she did tire late in all of them and she is likely to face plenty of pressure on the front end today. 2-TIZMEONEMORETIME was in too tough in her first turf start of the year and ran like it. However, she was far more competitive last year when racing against rivals similar to these. Switched barns since last but the class drop should help greatly.

2-SHE STOPPED SHORT could get the trip. She finished second in her last two at this level but the winner of last, who barely beat her, came right back to win again. The pace sets up and the barn has been live. 1-KIND KISMET is another that should be able to close on the heated pace ahead of her. She’s making her first start of the year, but her barn does well with layoff runners and her works show good intent. 4-SHARP ATTACK is almost always in the hunt. She finished third in four of her last five races, dating back to last year. She’ll probably vie for the lead which could compromise her chances, but she just might be able to put them all away and finish with something left.

4-DEL RAYO might try to wire the field. He’s dropping to his easiest field since early last year while trying Hawthorne’s main track for the first time. Makes his second start after a four-month layoff. Could be ready for these. 3-ROCKET HOTSHOT just missed in his first race of the year. He closed in the stretch to take the lead but just failed to last after a stretch duel. But he’ll be fitter for this race. Might not be denied. 2-CONI’S COUP makes his first start of the year. Long series of drills will have him sharp for a barn that brings them back ready. He does love the front end. Might leave the rest behind.