Handicapper Tips & Picks

And intriguing race for the opener as there really isn't much pace in here. While it looks like 2-D'ARCHER may be the one with the early speed, 1-EASTER MUSIC has popped with surprising speed at times from the rail in the past. You do have to dig deeper to find those starts but he comes off a solid effort last out and has been at his best over this track. 5-RISKY BOY also merits a look as he has been very consistent this meet. He has been left to chase lone speed in numerous starts, but with the track evening out, things may set up nicely for him in here. 2-D'ARCHER likely gets sent away as well as he comes in off the layoff. He's been solid in his two starts on the meet as six of his seven career wins have come at this distance.

This race is likely to work one of two ways. If 6-THE LAST FACT can clear, there's the potential he wires this field. If he is headed, he may give way. I'm thinking he is able to clear in here as he has won two of three on the meet, both on the front end. The March 26 race could be tossed out as well as that was a race where the horses were delayed in the paddock due to storms. Expect another solid effort today. 5-PUBLIC SAFETY ran a solid race back on April 9 as he recovered from a slow start to close belatedly in the lane. He's likely going to need another in here to press The Last Fact to win, but with the track evening out in regards to bias, there's a shot he can run by late. 4-IDEA MAN is one of two in here from the barn of David Reid. He ran a good race against tougher at Indiana in his last but looks to be a good fit in this spot as he makes his second start off the layoff.

The bump at the break was all it took to wipe out the chances for 2-AWESOME WILLY last out as Dream Island was able to get away well and never look back. Flattering that race, Dream Island just wired a field of Allowance runners a week ago. Wildwood's Warrior also came out of the race with Awesome Willy to win his next out too. The break will be the key, but if Awesome Willy can clear, he may never look back. 6-IMPULSIVENESS is going to need some pace to chase as he makes his second start of the meet. After getting away slowly in his last he did rate closer to the slow pace and battled to the wire. The pace should be quicker in here as he should be closing quickly. 3-OPTION runs his best while on the lead but it doesn't appear that he is quick enough to make the top in here. From a stalking position he could run a similar race to his last as he may be chasing the entire way.

I had an incredibly tough time with this race. There were so many routes to go but none of these truly stood out. Based on connections, works, and breeding I gave the nod to 2-REJECTION HURTS. He's one of two in here from the barn of Joel Berndt as they prepare for the Canterbury meet, but Berndt's Minnesota bred runners are solid and this one picks up his top rider in Roman. Lasix for the debut and a nice pattern of works may have him ready at first asking. 5-MINING CAMP has put together some solid races on this meet as a repeat of his last figures to have him in contention the entire way. There's not a ton of speed in here based off those who have run as he may look to shake loose early and never look back. The DeVito barn often does well at first asking as 8-EASY FAST breaks from the outside. He has also worked consistently toward his return and gets Lasix as well first out. Giles has ridden very well this meet and should have him close early.

A really solid race here to start the Late Pick 4 and close out the Pick 5 as numerous horses are in with a shot. Went to 6-UNCLE HEADLEY off a nice performance against a good group at Keeneland last out. He should get enough pace to chase in here and has posted a couple of good drills over the track. 5-I'M YOUR CAPTAIN is one of those with speed as he ran a big race last out. The move to state-bred company may have helped, but it appears that if he can shake loose early he may be tough to catch. 2-PRIZE FIGHTER just missed at this level in his last as he chased a quick pace and ran on in the lane. The was the first start in six months for him as he has every right to improve in his second race back.

No major standouts in here to me as if every horse in here were to run their best race they would all be equal. Going to try once with 1-FROSTED ECLAIR as we don't quite know which racehorse we are going to get. Her race on March 12 in the slop was a nice victory over a nice field. Her next two starts have been ugly. She lost the rider at the start two back and then  got shuffled in her last before back a middle  move and flattening out. If she can get a clean trip there's no reason why she can't compete in here. 4-BEG BORROW N STEAL has run a pair of good races on the meet as she is deserving of the favoritism today. She closed on days where speed held well and now gets the benefit of a likely evenly playing strip. Expect a solid effort in here. 2-CANTOO comes in off a good win where she showed improved speed in her last. The came against open company as well. Today I expect she sits a bit further back early but she should be moving forward in the lane.

Could be really right or really wrong here. Went on top to 2-PACIFIC VIEW as this well-bred 3yo filly comes in from Oaklawn today. She switches barns, adds blinkers and takes the class drop off of her debut. She didn't show a ton in that spot but also got away slowly. After that race she was training in New Orleans before shipping up to Hawthorne where she has worked well as she has had some time to mature. Let's see how she looks in the paddock and on the racetrack. 6-SALLY'S SUPRISE drops out of a maiden race in her debut. While she finished last of the field of six, the race was not a bad effort. She fits nicely in here and figures to rate mid-pack early and look to close in the lane. 1-THE SCORE IS EVEN debuts with Lasix for a barn that does well early. She is a 4yo first timer and the works aren't overly swift but don't dismiss her completely as she's an Illinois-bred who does run for the bonus money.