Handicapper Tips & Picks

#2 COACH ADAMS looks to have a pace advantage in today's race to make him logical as the favorite. His form and figures stack up for the level and with the slight cutback in distance from the BOS (best of the speed) show effort (B- OptixGRADE with higher OFR) back on January 13th. 

Class is a lateral move today for #1 TURFY coming off a BTL effort on January 20th at the $20k claiming condition. Rival #3 SMOKIN BOOTS also recorded a BTL effort on January 20th though in a different event where he was running in statebred company and today's OFR suggests this is a tougher spot. That class change is also noted for #5 GOLD BUCKLE and #6 TWITTY CITY two runners stepping up and wheeling back from the $8k claiming event just a week ago. 

Could be "chalky" start to the Sunday as #2 BANDIT POINT could oblige as the favorite. He will return to statebred company, a change form January 28th running against open and higher OFR. Some further excuses can be provided as he was restless in the GATE and unprepared at the start with the trip/ride by Harr (TACTIC-) unable to recover though still showing run in spots. Cline will also send out #1 TWISTED DIXIE a runner that has shown progress this season, though finds a distance change and has yet to run their top effort at a route (two-turn) of ground. 

#6 BIG SUCCESS will also stretch out in distance for the first time this meet, though has prior form and competitive form at a route (BTL effort last April 22nd) to key off of here. #5 MAN IN THE CAN also has route races and competitive efforts under similar conditions to today's event, however will give up recency coming back from the 90-day break and has yet to win or run a peak effort in the past off similar type layoffs in the past - things to consider as far as value.

Class will be a test here for #7 PROMISING SHOES, a horse that has come up short at this level in the past. That said they have form this season and can project a move forward in this swing of the form cycle where an honest effort is to be expected. 

#2 ALITA and #6 KEEN CONTENDER look to battle for the role of a favorite here and perhaps by default coming off the pair of minor finishes in what appears the "safer" options in this field. While a win would be no surprise, these two have had their chances and under similar conditions even coming up short in those recent starts without excuse and can open the door for others.

#4 FOXPASS, #7 SAWYER'S SWEETIE and #10 QUEENIES WAY could all be upgraded as they return today from Special Weight starts to run first time at the maiden claiming level. #8 FLASH OF CHEROKEE also tough to knock making a debut for a barn that has had some success this meet in a limited sample and there was intent to debut at this level surface and distance last April. 

#5 TRIBAL SPIRIT has a history of slow starts (SLOG) and races from off the pace, though her effort back on January 7th keeps her in the mix and could be the edge over #3 SODDY DAISY.

#1 PEACH STREET could be the right "new face" to jump up in this spot. She showed progression with each start last year and will pick this spot coming back for 2023 racing protected and on Lasix. Number wise and with progression from the juvenile campaign a projection could see her numbers in line with the other Von Hemel (Donnie) trainee, #3 RING TWICE. 

#6 KEY TO SUCCESS could find just that with the proper class relief exiting the Martha Washington stakes at the route distance and even a higher level (higher OFR) allowance event from back in late December. 

The early speed on #4 TWIRLING TIGRESS is respected here and could end up being the controlling speed if allowed by the other riders in this race. She returns to similar starter allowance condition from January 27th staying on as the "BOS" stalked by the race winner, Lucksme, to hold in a blanket for minors.

#4 BLOW TORCH figures to be in the right spot for Broberg making their second start off the layoff and class relief to the lower maiden claiming tag looking for the win. A similar drop is in play for #9 KID SHELLEEN, a runner that has races on par over this course and distance going back to 2021, though will give up recency returning today from the 72-day layoff. 

#11 MOURVEDRE also suggests intent for this event making the second start off the claim and of the meet for Diodoro. The class drop is also in play this afternoon and could carry along with his early speed as a front running threat. 

#8 BENISSIMO has shown a habit of breaking slow though could look to overcome that today as previous rider, Eramia takes back over the riding. That change could suggest intent noting these two paired up to finish in the money last September on the Remington Park turf. 

#2 BALI DREAMIN will make her first start off the claim for Shirer and live ownership connections this meet. She has back numbers from last spring that standout on the higher side of today's OFR and running back to those races fits as a contender. 

Maker has had to be patient with #4 ARGUMENTAL waiting for this race and working through the issue that required the vet scratch under similar conditions here on January 15th. The placement and timing fit as she was coming into the race with progressive form in Kentucky coming off the layoff and off a solid November starter allowance effort. 

Diodoro returns with #5 SUPER WONDER GIRL in this spot and with some class relief to run here, while still racing protected. She rana  solid race first off the claim in November at Remington Park, though that race was followed up by a quick turnaround she was not race ready for on December 1st. Her form this meet stack up on par though trip still remains key for her and aggressive ride from Torres needed. 

#6 SHELL SHOCK also could project a move forward as she makes her second start of the meet and off the claim for Hartman. She remains protected back under similar starter allowance conditions as what could be suggest favorable intent. 

#11 IBERVILLE could present a pace advantage with his early speed and finishing (Quad I Square) ability. Bookending the pack, there is a scenario for #10 GEORGIA DEPUTY to have the "contention" to close into along with solid form from the BTL race in January to the CLOSE into third last month. 

#2 MULBERRY STREET and #4 MR. TIP lack an edge in this spot to justify the shorter price as projected on the morning line, though expect to hold their form today. #9 ZOFFA stacks right up with that pair and could be overlooked (value) in this field as they return to the claiming level. #13 CALIFORNIA SWING (AE) might have to wait for another day and has some challenges wheeling back on shorter rest for a horse that is capable though does require the right handling and pace. 

#4 DISARM looks well intended for this return and placement. There are challenges coming back off the layoff and doing something new as the test here stretching out to a route of ground. His physicality and placement in this spot suggests intent by the connections and with the steady string of works leading up to this race.

#2 ARMAN is cross entered in a Saturday allowance and can be upgraded should they take this spot instead. The same concerns with rival #1 TWO EAGLES RIVER (also cross entered in the same Saturday event) as one tested for stamina and requiring to get back to top form following a series of declining speed figures. 

#7 RECKER POINT has the benefit of route experience and from a physical standpoint looks every bit a two-turn runner. Leading up to the January allowance he was still yet to prove he had taken a step forward and to his credit did improve his number that day. He will need to keep up that progression with the figure in line with #6 FUNNY UNCLE one that shows up off a favorable trip and holding just enough to prevail in a BLANKET finish to clear the maiden condition. 

Morning line favorite, #7 STREET PAINTER ran a solid B OptixGRADE effort on debut staying on as the BOS through a solid pace (X_FLOW) taking a tough beat to get caught at the wire. A repeat of that effort has her right back in the mix, though will be tested to repeat and will be stepping up in class.

To her inside, #2 KOKOMO STARLET should keep the pace honest as a runner that has contested solid early pace events this season and done so against Special Weight company. #5 MS CARROLL COUNTY returns from that January 28th common race and upgraded as she has shown progression race to race in both overall visuals (GRADES) and speed  - OptixFIG. #4 NEXT THURSDAY also made her debut in Special Weight company on January 28th though earlier on the card and over a faster race track. She turned in a solid effort making a MOVE through TRAFFIC earning a B- OptixGRADE and 67 OptixFIG first out. 

Longshot #11 TIZ A STRATEGY is given a look (IMPROVE) off her first two starts and still holding some upside. Overall there are some concerns as she has shown a lack of early speed and will shorten up for this race. As far as those first two starts, she showed run especially late (GALLOP+) on debut and was not asked for her best (NO_PUSH) still showing run (MOVE) with the poor WEATHER conditions racing in the rain and in the dark with minimal lights.