Handicapper Tips & Picks

#4 THE FIVE B'S is going to take on older today though looking to offset their age with a potential pace advantage as controlling speed. #2 BACK BEAT also shows up shipping in from Fair Grounds as the other sophomore in the race. Class wise this is a lateral move and placed in a spot where he should hold his form.

#1 CRYSTAL CRESCENT has a different change here as she will take on males in this spot. The change will require a top effort though the timing could be right as McKnight has been sending out live runners as of late, especially with G. Saez aboard. Number wise her last out effort from 1/29 stacks right up with #9 NEW DICE, one of the older "open" runners in this field from 2/10.

#8 DEPART follows a group of statebred runners and as an individual requires a new top effort to compete here. With that said, he could find that race in this third start back from the layoff with hidden form and upside from his two return races this season. 

#3 HERITAGE PARK comes into this race with class relief in the second start off the layoff as well as fitness. His early speed could also be the controlling speed in this race.

#10 J. E'S HANDMEDOWN should be sitting on a peak effort and in the right spot to run his race. He looked to need the start and statebred coming back on 12/30 and will find himself in claiming company exiting the higher level 2/5 Optional Claiming event. 

#9 HOLDING PATTERN will also find a class change returning to face statebred company and similar conditions from his win back on 1/8. 

#6 ROCK CITY ROCKET could also show up with an improved effort in this second start back this season. Going back to 1/8 he was very fractious rearing up in the GATE and might have required some time after to recover accounting for the 53-day break since. 

Diodoro will bring back #3 BIOGENIC BABE with blinkers on and that could be the right change for her as Torres gave her every opportunity on 2/10 and just ran evenly (PLODDY) late. 

#6 JUMPIN JUDY could be upgraded from a race flow standpoint from the VeryFast (VF O4S) early pace in her 1/20 debut. There is other speed in this race and that could assist #2 COLLECTED GLORY one that does appear to require some help to get a win or a share in this eighth career start. 

#4 MOMMA MULE was scheduled to debut under similar conditions to today's race back on 2/10 and as a listed trainer scratch that day will show up here instead. 

It could be expected here to see #3 GOLDEN LUNA and #4 YACHT ROCK take move given the connections and placement in this race. While both could certainly compete, they carry some knocks as individuals to consider at those expected shorter prices.

#9 UNCLE RAY could also find attention coming off the recent maiden win where he had a lot in his favor not only with the PERFECT trip, but that trip aided by the majority of the field with trouble at the start and Uncle Ray and the other pacesetter (place finisher) were able to avoid those issues. 

#8 SHAKEDOWN STREET fits at this level and upside from the January 27th breaking (SLOG) slow and taken out of his run style. He will be required to hold form here off the claim for Litfin and exiting "hot" barns.

#2 FREER requires a boost from his form this year though could be stepping forward with each race and with back numbers that stack up as some of the stronger in this field. #6 SKYLINE could also fall into that category with some buried form and races on his better days that stack up on par. 

#7 ANDY CANT will look to get back on track returning from the freshening and with the blinkers on today. He recorded a B OptixGRADE back on 11/13 and a top 90 OptixFIG over today's course and distance on 12/16 - both efforts on par and solid for today's race. 

#4 GOIN TO THE SHOW could still present upside and a move forward in this second start back off the layoff. He returned with front wraps on 2/4 and could have been a sign they needed the race. GOIN back to their debut in 2021 they recorded a solid 88 OptixFIG, one of the higher numbers in this field. 

#2 LIFE ON THE NILE steps back up to Special Weight company and route distance where their ability to flash early speed will look to be used as an advantage. Pace is noted for #8 DEPUTY CONNECT also stepping up in class in this second start off the layoff and likely to take support with the connections. Gate issues have been present on both #1 MOUNT CRAIG with the habit of SLOG and running on late as a result; #3 ATLANTIC DANCER also carries some gate concerns at times and a lack of early speed that has him running late at the mercy of the race shape. 

#2 SECRET STATEMENT showed ability on debut that was not lost on the public winning as the favorite in her following start. She has been given time since the stakes at Turfway closing out 2022 and appears well meant shipping in for connections that have not started any this season.

Class should provide an edge for #1 ROYAL SPA exiting the Demoiselle (G2) back in December. While that race has not been "productive" in the sense of next out winner, form of the runners in that field has held up.

Current form could assist/edge #5 PATE in this group of runners coming off layoffs and subtle breaks for this event. Her numbers have improved here Oaklawn Park though seems to have "topped out" and while that might just be enough on repeat to compete today going forward is something to monitor.

#10 LUNCH LADY projects to be favored and logical in that role. Her numbers have remained consistent and has early speed that could present a further pace advantage. The class drop has been in the cards for her noting she was entered under similar conditions on 2/10 and unable to draw in last weekend (2/24) to a similar event. 

#7 WILD BIZNESS returns with a rider change and could see improvement here with that adjustment alone. The ride after breaking slow and RUSH forward created TROUBLE and all around unable to run her race. She could also be overlooked not just from that trip but the figures from last year when in against a higher maiden claiming class. 

#6 QUALITY CHROME requires another move forward from her form this season, though as far as back numbers she has recorded races that would make her the one to beat with a top effort today. 

#5 THE X FACTOR overall is lighter than others in this field, though is currently on an "every other" pattern that has her on the upswing of that cycle today. 

Second time starters #2 TENZING and #9 LITTLEDABWILLDOO will find lateral class change from their first start showing up here and while a move forward is a reasonable projection, they give up some edge to others in this group. 

The pace scenario is a tough read with many in this field that are capable of running on the lead, though not necessarily "need the lead" types. That scenario could benefit #7 TIZPLENTY returning to make her second start of the meet and holding upside with Santana jumping back aboard. 

#5 SARAH HARPER fits in this race off current form and figures based on her races this season in stakes company and just looking for the right group and trip to get that win. She will be joined by #6 I'M THE BOSS OF ME exiting the stakes races and could be tested even in this spot from a race shape standpoint and with former Miller stablemate #2 AMERICAN LILY in this field and drawn inside. 

#4 HEADLAND has similar numbers on par and with Asmussen sending out live runners as of late the timing could be on her side to upgrade in this race. 

#9 PRIMER DIMER will look to improve as he returns with a rider change in the second start for Asmussen and back in claiming company. That change second off on 2/4 looked to have him well meant and might have expected more overall though compromised with the WIDE trip.

#11 EGO could also move up with the shift to an outside post today. His current form and figures stack up at this level and a runner that is proven over this course and route distance. #8 EGOMANIAC shares a similar RunStyle though softer number wise of these, though should be in the right spot as far as form and race shape to show up running his race. 

Connections wheel right back in just 11-days with #5 ZOFFA and make a notable rider change with Bejarano taking over. Those factors could have intent and expected more on 2/19 in the second start of the cycle, a move forward that was projected for this horse with the class drop and timing that day. 

#10 GEORGIA DEPUTY has some buried form and competitive races this season. He requires a lot of pace, racing luck and a career best to win, though should have pace to run at and looking to get up into the mix late. #2 FIRST LINE also a closing type and one that finds subtle class relief exiting the open claiming company in the races this season. With those factors and coming off a place finish in his most recent start projects to be much shorter here comparing the two. 

P 1 Lay Chrislyn 3 Wildcat Hera 8 Odds On Wendy

T 4 Moni Ellen 9 Cheapyncigarettes 2 Axlrose Seelster

P 6 Matts Tuiton 7 Mikes Powerhouse 8 Dirty Lil Piglet

T 5 Century Jaguar 6 Come Home For Life 4 Bella Cavalla

P 1 Four For Orr 5 Rye N Clyne 8 Tomita Bayama

T 10 Flying Formation 9 R Hot Toddy 8 Shes Beer League

P 7 Beauty Is Blind 8 Askmysecretary 9 Sunshine Sally

T 4 Daisy Day 9 Fastnet Rock 2 Titan Flax S

P 5 Land Of Royalty 3 Bad Eye Bill 7 Thundering Jim

P 7 E R Rhonda 5 Big Bad Jenn 9 Burlesque Seelster