Handicapper Tips & Picks

This could finally be the right spot for 1-JACK VAN BERG. He has speed, the rail, and he’s dropping to his lowest level ever. Can lead this every step of the way. 2-OVERBEARING is another with good early foot. He doesn’t seem to be quite as quick as top choice but he’s been in good form and he has been able to carry his speed. 3-CHOCOLATE BUNNY turns back in distance. He’s been tiring late in routes but should have plenty left to finish with a flourish in this long sprint.

4-PRETTY IN PRADO has to be caught. Most of her races have been sprints but she has had two previous routes and finished second in both after leading most of the way. Maybe she’ll hang on today. 1-PRADA’S MIRACLE has never shown a lot of late run but she’s evenly paced and could make up ground late if the early pace collapses. 2-TEXAS PRINCESS wasn’t effective in her first two races but she’s dropping and stretching out while racing on dirt for the first time. Would expect a better display of speed from her today.

3-STOPSHOPPINGAMY seems most logical. She’s in good form and the pace sets up well. She finished second in her first two starts of the meet. Might be able to run by all of them late to score her first win of the year. 2-IGGY BIGGS makes her first start of the year. Not crazy about her workout pattern coming into this race but she will be taking on state breds today and she’s done well in non-stakes state bred races. 4-ISABELLACANATELLA and 5-LIPLINER are both loaded with speed. Both have been tiring late but either is capable of wiring the field.

3-SNOOTY might hold a slight edge. She pressed the pace in both her starts this year, finishing second in both. Under the conditions of this race, she’s facing slightly easier today. Might break through. 6-FOGGY KITTEN was claimed from last. She was racing in the same barn as top choice. She also finished second in last two. They have similar running styles and could wind up dueling for the lead. 5-GHAALEB’s MAGIC didn’t make an impact versus easier downstate in her 2023 debut but she was in good form here in the fall and even won her last local start. Could regain prior form with her Hawthorne return.

6-SLAVA UKRAINI is hard to figure. I remember his connections had high hopes for him. He didn’t live up to anybody’s expectations going into this year but he had a couple blistering drills coming into his 2023 season. Unfortunately, he shipped to Indiana and got trounced, finishing last, 36 lengths back. However, his races here weren’t terrible and his bullet drills suggest that he likes this track. Have to give him a chance with the drop into maiden claimers for the first time. 5-ELECTRIC CHARGE finished second in both starts this meet. He’s taking on rivals at a higher level here but none of them are exactly lighting things up. Might be tough. Wouldn’t leave 7-CALICO JOE out of the vertical gimmicks. He got off to a terrible start in his last race and was 10 lengths back. But he steadily closed ground and finished fourth, beaten only two lengths. That was a sprint. He had one route race here last year and lost by only a nose, facing rivals arguably better than these. Has a big chance at a big price with the stretch out. The well-bred 3-ICE VORTEX drops to his lowest level ever. He beat only one runner between his two starts in September and he’s had only one drill since that start. You would expect him to improve in this easier field but will he be ready?

4-TWIRLING ROSES has been terrific on this track. He ran well after shipping to Fair Grounds in the fall but tailed off a bit late. However, he’s back at his favorite track, he won seven of 12 here, and had a sharp drill last week after taking a month off. Could bounce back in a big way. I just can’t pick 5-COMISKEY PARK to win. I keep touting him and he burns me, and maybe you, every time. By every right he should win this but there’s a good chance that he’ll again find a way to lose. 6-ON K P is a versatile runner capable of running well on or off the pace. A poor start probably cost him a better placing in last. Deserves another chance.

7-WILDWOOD SICILIAN look tough. Chased the talented Golden Hornet to no avail but he ran in second throughout and generated his highest speed figure. He’s meeting some classy elders in this spot and many of his rivals own speed but he just might be able to put them away. 6-W W CANDY might have the perfect running style for this speed-filled race. His rider will have him biding his time early, hoping all the speed runners will tire themselves out fighting for the lead. Expecting him to make a big run at them after they turn for home. Classy 5-MALPAIS would much prefer an off track but not sure the weatherman will cooperate. He’s earned over $300k in his career but hasn’t visited the winner’s circle since 2021. Will he break through today?

8-WILDWOODS WARRIOR must be caught. He wired the field to earn his second win in last and did it despite stumbling at the start. He was claimed from that race and should be meeting tougher but his connections kept him at this low claiming level with their eye on the prize. Would surprise if he won right back and got claimed again in the process. Might want to watch the betting action on 5-BLOOMING GARDEN. He’s usually in mediocre form but when he runs well, there seems to be more than the usual amount of money bet on him and this is the kind of race where almost anybody can win. Mojica in the irons could add another clue. 6-POWERFUL MAN just finished second at this level. If he runs the same way today, chances are he’ll grab a piece of the pie.