Handicapper Tips & Picks

With very little early pace in the race, 4-JERSEY GOLD should be well positioned to set slow fractions and wire this field. 1-AIKEN TO BE TAKIN makes her second start of the year. She ran well at Fairmount last out and could rate closer around two turns. 5-IMAGINE GOLD makes her first start of 2023. She has a couple of works and is another that ran well at this distance last fall.

4-RUSSIAN ALPHABET is a deserving heavy favorite. His form is excellent on the meet and he is well positioned for his third straight victory. 2-LUCKY SHOT could show speed in here. If he gets loose early he has the potential to steal this race. 3-BLOOMING GARDEN is intriguing as he ran a good route race last out. While sprinting he could rate and run on late.

With two with speed in here, 4-BIRDIE MACHINE may be able to rate just behind a contested pace and should run by in the lane. 3-FAITHFUL KING makes the class drop today and will likely be sent from the start. 6-SOVIET STANDARD is the other with speed who ran some good races earlier in the meet. His last at this level was a solid performance as well.

A competitive race on turf or dirt. 3-ROLL GYPSY ROLL was sharp around two turns in New Orleans last out. Everything from this barn is racing well right now. 4-JOYZELLA should speed around two turns in her last. Let's see if she tries to shake loose and wire this field. 11-ALLOTROPE is an MTO that has a big shot if the race comes off the grass. She ran a good sprint race on debut and should be able to improve in her second out.

Anyone can win this race. 3-EVIE JEAN has run decent each time out this meet. She picks up bug boy Giles today which could be beneficial for her. 2-PRETTY IN PRADO has speed and is likely to be sent. The question is if she will have company or not upfront. 5-LIL CARRIE D never contended in her last. The class drop today may be what turns things around for her.

5-DRIVEN ONE is the pick on turf or dirt. He handles both surfaces well, can stalk what looks to be a fast pace, and comes off good success at a tough Oaklawn meet. 3-JEALOUS EYES could be a part of the early pace. He pressed in his last and did contend late into the stretch before giving way. 10-GLOBAL EMPIRE needs a fast pace upfront to fall apart as he will be charging in the lane. He may be better off if this race comes off the grass.

The recent tough competition at Oaklawn benefits 5-DREAM STREAK as she ran well during that meet. She has tactical speed and should be able to settle early and rally late. 6-RAINY MOUNTAIN will need pace to chase as she should close well in the lane. She held her own against open company last out and should be right there once again. 7-RONAN has just 3 lifetime wins from 55 starts but has a combined 29 2nds and 3rds. She's the perfect play underneath in the gimmicks.