Handicapper Tips & Picks

Big shot if stays on turf

Distance should suit here

Sleeper gets Lasix

The horses from the 2/19 maiden event can be upgraded starting with #6 STRICKLAND coming off a BTL effort in that 5th place finish. #5 OUT OF ALCATRAZ was out of the money though had a legit EX - EXCUSE with TROUBLE and chased inside/SAVED not asked/NO_PUSH for run.

#2 COLONEL BARTON was claimed out of his debut for $30k and this drop is not as concerning given the purse structure and the connections placing this horse where he fits to compete. 

#1 THINKINGNDRINKING is given a mention also returning from a BTL race on 2/10. Overall this is a step up in class and must step up given the others in this field. 

#2 TAILORBESWIFT lacked a finish/NO_FINISH and much out past the wire (GALLOP-) back on 1/6 though did set a fast pace and coming back in this spot should at the least see her presence felt on the front end. #4 TIGER BAIT also has some tactical speed and while she will give up recency returning from the 243-day layoff she could also land in this spot given that time off and steady works for Rosin.

The class change is subtle for #6 HISSY MISSY exiting open company on 2/17 and returning to statebred company where her figures from the races on 12/20 and 2/3 stack up on par. The change in class is also in play today for #3 TAPIT RIGHT with the connections looking to place this 7yo mare in a spot she can compete for her abilities. 

#1 TWENTYTWENTYREDO could sneak under the radar returning from a freshening. After her maiden win where she appeared very well-meant bet down from a 10-1 ML and ridden to win, she was stepped up to run against a higher allowance class - and with a less than ideal ride/TACTIC- after contact/TROUBLE_S at the start in the first part of the meet and will return today back in for a tag. 

#7 PLAUSIBLE DENILE has the most experience coming into this race which does not held on the "confidence" front though could land in the right time and place. He has numbers that fit and subtle trips this season that could be improved on with the rider change. Trip could also be on his side stalking #6 LARK'S MISCHIEF one that projects to be controlling speed though has shown a lack (Circle) of finish. 

Class is still a test for both #1 BYE BYE RAY and #5 RUNAWAY JACK returning to Special Weight despite holding speed figures on par. #3 VIGARO could also be class tested as they return from the layoff today in Special Weight company as well as returning to a sprint. 

That could open the door for first time starter, #4 CAIRO BREEZE for Riley Mott with a steady series of works to suggest they are race ready here. 

Class wise #2 BEYBLADER and #6 HANKS should hold an edge making the drop today to run at this lower level. With that said, the drop could be a concern with BEYBLADER dropping second off the layoff and weak effort back on 1/25. HANKS will also drop first off the claim though doing to for aggressive connections that will also stretch him back out off some progressive form and figures in his races this season.

#1 JIM AND JIM could be overlooked and turn out to be a smart claim with the placement here for Barkley where he fits on his best day. 

Distance and pace could be a hurdle for front running type #8 WILDWOOD'S WARRIOR one that otherwise fits as an individual. By contrast the pace should be honest to assist #9 NAMESAKE to put forward one of his better races to compete. That could also carry to #10 QUALITY RUN exiting a productive race back on 1/15 though perhaps has himself as the hurdle to clear with the tendency to break slow/SLOG. 

#3 QUARANTINED was upgraded on debut rushing up into a Very Fast (VF 04S) pace before losing ground. While she has that upside placement did her no favors returning in Special Weight company for her second start and looks placed back at the appropriate level in for a tag. The class change could also move up #4 DANCIN N THEPULPIT making her third start this season, some subtle trips in January and returning to a top effort should have her competitive against today's group.

#8 GREER CROSSING and #9 MAY DISCO ran over off tracks in their most recent starts with similar poor (SLOG/TROUBLE_S) starts. Class wise this is a drop for both with MAY DISCO exiting Special Weight and GREER CROSSING exiting the opening company event last week. #10 FOXPASS also exits open company when racing for a tag just 12-days ago and while she will require a step up all around this timing could assist along with the blinker addition. 

#5 CELERITY will look to get back on track following a TRAFFIC trip at the longer distance last month. Going back just one start earlier to 12/11 he recorded a BTL effort with adversity and B OptixGRADE to suggest he can compete as a contender under today's conditions.

His stablemate #8 BIG COUNTRY will be class tested back at today's starter allowance condition though could see improvement as this will be his second start this meet and was projected to REGRESS following the 12/17 win.

#3 TIZ OUR TURN will ship in and run here protected though could suggest positive intent exiting a stronger race on 2/17 at Turfway Park. Number wise he fits right in lone with #2 WHAT A COUNTRY, a runner that found himself in top form and beating the breaks off claiming runners before recording a top figure on 2/5 that might see him "over the top" today. Timing and maintaining form is also in play for #7 FORT PECK the winner of the 2/5 starter allowance, a race where he looked primed for a top for Becker in the second start off the layoff. 

Tough to know how "good" #1 ELUSIVE BELLE is though this should be the time and place to find out. She returns in this second start against a suspect field and no strong "horse to beat" from those with experience. As far as ELUSIVE BELLE, on debut she was fractious in the GATE and broke a step slow before making a RUSH to the lead and into a DUEL and was not asked/NO_PUSH after losing ground with a slight brush (TROUBLE-) that did not have overall impact. 

Rival #8 AMENSET also returned off the layoff in that 1/22 Special Weight event and had adversity in her trip that could project a move forward for her today. 

#3 VOW has the benefit of being lightly raced and recording consistently some of the higher figures compared to the others with more "experience" on their side. With that said, VOW will still be tested overall and making her first start around two turns. 

#8 HOYA PARANOYA could be the "wild card" to get creative with here. The distance change is an unknown, though his form coming into this race keeps him in the mix. He had an EX - EXCUSE (and BTL) racing in the rain (WEATHER) missing the break (VSLOG) and making a huge MOVE on 1/28 and backed that up showing run despite TRAFFIC on 2/11.

#2 ALVAARO projects to find attention coming off the minor finishes. Number or class wise he does not hold an edge in this field and even over HOYA PARANOYA.

#1 AMONGST FRIENDS could also find attention off the recent minor finishes though lacked any strong excuse to keep him from the win. 

#5 MEGAN'S HONOR and #6 MAGOO will return from the 1/28 common race at this level. That race has held form with the winner coming back to win. With that said, the horses running back ran back to their figures from 1/28 and that would be required from both these two today to compete. 

#4 BARBER ROAD has been holding his form this season and projects similar here. His edge on that recency and figures could carry in this race though still appears a move forward along with the right trip is required to win.

#8 TONKA WARRIOR follows that similar pattern. He has shown consistency almost to a fault. The lack of early speed usually finds him making a solid middle MOVE though struggles to carry that momentum to the wire. 

#6 PAT'S PROPERTY will make his belated return and looking to get back to top form. Some of his stronger races were recorded over this course and route distance and the plan looks to be aggressive early and on his best day his early speed could be tough to catch. #1 JEDREK is given a mention off his improvement this year and from the front running trip that was aided by softer (Slow/S O4S) on 2/11.  

#11 COSTA TERRA is the new face coming back in off the long layoff. During that time off he could have developed and progressed something that will be required as there was not much progress from his juvenile to sophomore season and those races all around sit well below today's par. 

T 1 Tymal Tarot 7 All Wrapped Up 2 Holdin Aces

P 5 Emmy Lou Hayes 6 Wildcat Star 1 Acrimony

P 7 Chedda Chedda 3 Jks Lifesaver 5 Allstars Finest

P 6 Baby Bonita 8 Girl Scout Cookie 1 Fromakingtoaqueen

P 6 Exotic Dragon 9 Best Honey Hanover 2 Takeyourbreathaway

T 4 Mister Of All 6 Hp Running Mass 5 Wishoudtellme

P 7 Doc Huouson 6 Press Time 5 Avid

P 6 Parisian Blue Chip 2 Need To Breathe 3 Major League

P 1 Lock Bridge 3 Jks Rollin Baby 4 Twin B Sunkissed

P 6 Toughsonofabeach 5 Tuukka Rasp 4 Promise Me A Win

P 4 Twin B Tipster 1 Silent Crossing 9 Mystifying