Handicapper Tips & Picks

#3 EMERALD PRINCESS looked to need the race under her belt coming off the layoff back on January 29th. She should benefit not only from that race but in this spot with class relief - the overall adjustments suggesting further intent.

#1 PARKING IN THE REAR does not have the benefit of recency as she makes her first start back off the layoff, though could find herself today as the controlling speed from the inside even with #4 CARPE HORSESHOE in the field coming back off the win and step up in class here.. Trip could also suit #5 FOREVER HOME as she returns from the layoff under today's conditions. 

#13 STORM STRATEGY will require some racing luck to draw into this race as well as trip from off the pace. The pace should be honest and overall carries upside coming back from the February 3rd BTL effort breaking slow encountering TROUBLE making WIDE MOVE into show. The pace could also assist #3 RIANTE SKY one that has a pattern of gate (SLOG) issues that have had him compromised. 

The form cycle pattern can upside #9 LOUD BOY as he makes his second start back off the long layoff and returning to statebred company. That class change is also in play for #11 LOBO IRISH as he makes his second start of the form cycle and first around two turns. #2 MR WORKS wheels right back and returns to statebred company with a progressive pattern coming into this third start. 

The distance experience sides with #6 MR. WULLY BULLY one with plenty of chances under similar conditions and has some distance questions. #10 DIESEL FUEL must also answer the distance question though can be "flow upgraded" setting Very Fast (VF O4S) early paces in his two most recent starts. 

#5 ALLELUIA ANGEL also has some upside off her races this season and back numbers though placement could be the hurdle here running against colts and geldings - same for #1 AUNT CARI the other filly in this field. 

Returning to a top effort #1 ELI'S PROMISE could be the controlling speed in this race. The timing could see him back to that peak effort as he makes his second start off the layoff and of this meet. 

#6 DIXIE FURY is already proven at this level winning under similar conditions with a PERFECT trip on December 31st. Both #2 ATKINS and #3 RITHM NIC also ran in that common race and overall there is not much between then on their best day. Intent and timing could come into question with #5 MARKS PROMISE wheeling right back for this event where they appeared well-intended (bet down) and ran well in the stakes event 20-days ago. 

Mason had #7 G T FIVE HUNDRED entered in a Special Weight race earlier this month and will wisely take this spot instead sticking with maiden claiming company. This level suits G T and his progressive form can be upgraded in this field.

#3 TEXAS TED was a late scratch on February 4th from a similar conditioned event and has another look right back from his January debut showing run and GALLOP+ out past the wire. 

The class change could upgrade #3 GUCCI BOY as he finds relief from the higher level Special Weight events in his first three starts and the move looks right in terms of timing in this second start off the layoff. #5 STORM APPROACHING is proven under similar conditions, though higher OFR today, with his pacesetting B OptixGRADE and place finish from back in January. 

#4 ALEBRIJE will ship in off a rough trip on February 12th at the Fair Grounds where the ride (TACTIC-) and TRAFFIC TROUBLE that followed a SLOG kept him from a more competitive race on the day.

Some regression for #5 BIG NICK was expected on February 5th coming off a new top and strong effort (B OptixGRADE and 93 OptixFIG) back on December 30th. He has had the time to recover since that 2022 finale effort and returns to claiming company here. 

Broberg returns with a pair in this race: #9 ESPIONAGE will make his first start back off the 217-day layoff and could be a hurdle giving up recency, the outside post and showing up in a race with other E/EP types in the field. His stablemate #6 OCELOT could again be overlooked off buried form that has allowed for him to sneak away on the board this season and stacks up with the others in this field with another move forward also possible. 

#13 LUNCH LADY could hold a major pace advantage if able to draw into the race. #5 BIDOFHONEY has lacked early speed (SLOG) in her first two start though has shown run in each of her two races and could move up as she comes off the layoff and with the circuit switch. 

If LUNCH LADY is unable to draw in that can assist #8 BOOTLEGGING GIRL, #7 MO SILVER and even #6 UNIFIED GURL. Some early speed has also be present (though tougher to see on run lines alone) with #1 COROMANDEL and could see her forwardly placed coming off the 47-day freshening, barn change and subtle change in class. 

Compton could have a plan in this race sending out the complementary pair of #5 PRINCEDREAMCESS and #3 WEST SIDE GIRL. Princedreamcess has legit early speed (and flow upgrade from 1/1) though is unproven around two turns. Stablemate #3 WEST SIDE GIRL is proven around two turns and at today's level with current form in addition to a favorable run style to compete in today's event.

#1 MOHAYLADY also comes into this race with current form and looking for pace to close into here, something she requires with her running style. #4 BLACK KAT TAPES has back numbers and class that fits with the others in this field and could be overlooked with the presence of others coming back today off wins or recent place finishes. 

#5 BEN DIESEL ran a competitive race at this level and under similar conditions on January 7th. He could cycle back to that effort and even with a step forward on the upswing of an "every other" pattern and back numbers.

#7 EFFICIENCY will make his third start off the layoff and could show a pattern of progression with his current speed figures into this third start back. Overall he must build off those races in terms of showing more and even stamina. #1 MAHAAMEL comes into this race with consistent speed figures though will be tested as he steps back up to allowance company as well as the timing off this race wheeling back on short rest for a horse that typically races with more time between starts. Similar attention could follow #8 TEN GAUGE coming back from the January 28th show finish and number earned that day. His visuals still are in question for class and his prior N2L allowance effort here from earlier this season sit softer than par with the average C+ OptixGRADE earned in both starts.

While #1 NO GUILT, #2 STELLAR LILY and #4 UNSTABLE PRINCESS have the established form and competitive numbers at the level, they have comes up short without excuse and might just catch the right group today though could leave the door open for some of the lightly race types to jump up.

#5 GOLDENSHUGA could be that horse. This will be just her second start though from a physical standpoint presented as a bigger type that could require more (STRETCH) ground for her to show her best. #3 STAR OF TOMORROW will give up experience making her debut though this placement could be what Mason has intended and coming into the race with progressive works that could have her race ready on debut. Prather sending out #7 MAGIC BUBBLES is also worth a mention as the barn has send out some runners as of late that "outran their odds" though showing up in different race categories than this filly here. 

Lightly raced, #11 JUST AN ANGEL could also show improvement though must step up with the quickness to show she has progressed from her debut and as a sophomore while tested for stamina as well. Class could come into play for #8 ABBREVIATION as she steps up from maiden claiming company and would require legit improvement off her debut last month.