Handicapper Tips & Picks

#6 FIFTY CENT DOLLARS projects to be a heavy favorite in this race though has some challenges coming back in this spot. Not only will they be tested for stamina, but also form coming back in just 28-days off a potential REGRESS type effort and win last out.

That scenario opens the race to necessarily the "best" horse in the field though perhaps the best suited for today's conditions. #3 FORT PECK is a runner that has experience and form at longer distance events as well as potential upside in this second start off the layoff. #5 CELERITY comes back today with a 56-day freshening in his second start of the meet and Asmussen claim. His BTL effort and place finish under similar conditions and race par puts him back in the mix and is another horse that has the "marathon" type experience. #1 DRIVEN ONE lacks the distance experience though has form this meet and could cycle back to a top effort, a similar type race as the 12/17 run. 

There are three runners in this field that will show up from a common race back on 12/30 at a much higher $45k N2L claiming condition. The drop could move up both #2 LANTERN'S CANDY and #5 HAL'S DREAM, however both seemed as more was expected from them that day and the drop off "underperforming" can create reservations. #6 ABBY THE BULL DAWG exits that event though is one that was making her first start of the meet off a two month layoff and likely "given" that race as one that belongs at the lower claiming level she shows up in here - potential intent.

#7 MIDNIGHT'S GIRL could have some "excuses" in her two starts for Rosin to suggest there is still upside and a move forward today. She took KICKBACK on a cold evening at Hawthorne back in November and was very fractious in the GATE and not as assertively ridden (TACTIC-) on hold in the 1/21 race and wheels back in just two weeks for this start. #4 ELI'S GIRL also shows up on short rest from that common race and while her overall form and figures are on the lighter side she does bring form and foundation to suggest she will turn in another honest effort for her abilities. 

#2 SUMMER IN MALIBU is cross entered in another race over the weekend and while they are given a look in that spot, they can be upgraded should they opt for this race instead, also a fit in this field.

#3 BLACK STORM is one of two for Diodoro, a new face here making their first start for the barn and claimed out of California. BLACK STORM could have intent here making his first start off the claim, layoff and racing protected. Distance wise he has spent most of his career sprinting, whereas stablemate #8 ALVAARO will transition back to a sprint here and could be a "prep" sign especially off the two month break.

#1 BIG NICK had some buried form that made him a fit on 12/30 and ran his race (B OptixGRADE) taking a tough beat with the winner catching him right at the wire. He must come back today with a similar effort and that is not always a given and should be considered with post time odds. 

#7 GINSBURNED is in top form this meet though will be tested once again coming back on short rest with his rival #4 COLD AS HELL those two together on 1/15 in a BLANKET at the wire.

Value could sit with #8 CHARLEE MAE in this race, one that has back competitive races, buried form, and likely to be overlooked off the recent running lines this season. As far as form, the stakes race looked to be a "prep" coming off the bench in her first start against winners. A move forward was projected on 1/13 though had an excuse with the TROUBLE_S breaking out losing a lot (X_WIDE) of ground caught widest stalking outside six others stalking with the rider unable (TACTIC-) to adjust and work a trip - noting they return with a rider change here. 

#6 BALI DREAMIN has some hidden early speed (Quad I Square) to potentially hold a pace advantage to keep on the radar. #1 LOVE OF MY LIFE returns to the dirt and also capable of sitting a trip (Quad I Square) in today's race dynamic. 

#9 RING TWICE has shown run in spots, however not quite to the "winning" race required against Special Weight. As she returns from the 73-day break, the class drop suggests the right move to find her the right level for her abilities. 

#4 I'M BETH DUTTON has a rougher trip on debut than it may appear on paper and the physical (TROUBLES+) nature of the race playing a potential role in the layoff that followed. She was entered to return in a $50k maiden claiming event here on 1/20, however unable to compete as a vet scratch that day. The issue is likely minor as they return to the entries fairly quick after the scratch. 

While the other two will make their first start for the maiden claiming tag, #7 WRECKING HAVOC has a race at this condition and solid B OptixGRADE, a "winning" type effort for the level on debut. She had some adversity from the start making a WIDE MOVE and solid GALLOP+ out to suggest she is at the right level to compete though could require a step forward with the higher OFR today. 

#7 VEGAS BLUE will make her first start back off the lengthy 323-day layoff. Robertson (still looking for a first win of the meet at the time of the write up) could be looking for a win and bringing her back to the races in a spot where she can run a "winning" race even if that results in a claim. 

#8 QUALITY CHROME has competitive numbers and form from last season that maker her a fit off those efforts here.  A move forward could be projects as she makes this second start off the layoff and could have "needed" the start (SLOG, MOVE) on 1/13.

#11 DOOZY BATS has not been a "good bet" so far this meet especially when they were a heavy favorite on 12/17. With that say there has been some race-to-race progression along with previous early speed and if value is present that could be key today. 

The early pace could wind up contentious and without many in that group (Quad I) showing finishing ability (Circles) the race could set up for a stalker. #3 LAKE RADIO could sit that trip as one that has finishing ability and form coming back from an honest, B- OptixGRADE and 89 OptixFIG effort on 1/14. #4 COSMO wheels right back and to a sprint distance for this event and going out first off the claim. His effort on 12/30 under similar starter allowance conditions and 90 OptixFIG stacks up on par and did have a slight "trip" two weeks ago.

Diodoro will send out a pair in this race making their first start for the barn and on this circuit. #8 SQUARE DEAL could hold the class edge over #2 SHADY EMPIRE based on the claiming races they were running in back in California. 

#1 COGBURN could be well intended here as he makes his return off the 260-day layoff and shipping in from the Fair Grounds where he has been stabled and training this year. Asmussen will also send out #6 CHASING TIME, a horse that has not been as consistently "fast" as GOGBURN though has run numbers in line on his best day. CHASING TIME has some buried Oaklawn Park form as well as races at one turn that fit with a top effort and provides a complementary stalking running style to his projected pacesetting stablemate.

#7 LEAGUE OF LEGENDS is more of a confirmed closer where pace  trip as well as a top effort is required especially at this higher allowance condition. He has come up short at this level in the past as far as a "contender" though could have that early pace contention to pick up runners late for a minor. The distance, trip and layoff could present potential hurdles here for #5 LIFE IS HARD as he make his first start back in 245-days. Going back to last season he turned in a solid place finish effort on debut though built off that race improving with his numbers and with added ground. 

#7 ONE TEN STADIUM has back class, buried form from last season that stacks up as a contender in this race. Even his return on 1/1 can be upgraded showing run (B- OptixGRADE) and solid 90 OptixFIG - a number that fits today's 91-83 OFR. 

#9 BLAME J D requires a top effort and a lot of racing luck to win, though has competitive form on his best day and could be over looked returning from a WIDE trip in the 1/1 common race making his first start back in 178-days. #4 NAVY SEAL will appear more "obvious" of the two although has come up short on this circuit at similar type allowance/Optional Claiming conditions on the win end.

#5 J. E.'s HANDMEDOWN could also project a move forward as he returns in this second start back off the long layoff. As far as class, this event could be seen as a lateral move shifting back to statebred company. That said, he ultimately might need softer to find a win, something he has yet to produce since 2019.