Handicapper Tips & Picks

$300k purchase makes debut

Upset shot at 10-1

Another price play off a huge effort in last.

As the favorite, #2 INTERSTATEDAYDREAM fits that role. She is looking for her first win this season, though finds class relief from the graded stakes and upside off some subtle trips. Geroux is likely to have her more forward today and contesting the pace along with #6 FALCONET while tracked by both #4 MISTY MAUVE and #5 MISTY VEIL. 

#1 LE DA VIDA also finds some class relief off her races at Oaklawn Park and number wise has been running consistent figures, that stack up with both Interstatedaydream and Falconet. LE DA VIDA also has had some subtle trips this year and placement at Oaklawn Park was not ideal. Off that buried form and 69-day freshening she should be sitting on a peak effort. The added ground for today's race should also suit her with plenty of stamina. 

#3 BUTTERBEAN will take up her usual style making the late run from off the pace. The theory that more ground the better for these type of closers is not always the case and still must prove herself at today's 9f distance. Class wise she is also going to be tested here as this is a rise, stepping up from the listed and allowance races at Oaklawn Park.

#5 THUNDERING CREED has been a solid runner for Tomlinson and appears intent as she returns off the layoff in this turf sprint stakes. She has had limited opportunities to sprint on the turf, though both starts were solid races including picking up black-type with the Franklin (G3) place finish last fall at Keeneland. Like many in this field, trip is key for her (price/value necessary) with her run style and this shorter 5f distance. 

Both the Wesley Ward runners bring some tactical speed with the preference to #9 HER WORLD as intent appears in play for her as she makes her second start back of this form cycle, whereas #8 SPICY MARG is giving up recency returning from the 202-day layoff after she was unable to draw into a turf sprint allowance back on 4/22 at Keeneland. 

Expect to see #2 KEY OF LIFE as a heavy favorite in this race given the connections and showing up off the pair of wins and speed figures to date. As far as those recent stakes events she was given a lone, easy lead in both races and flattered coming into this event where she is projected to find a more contentious dynamic to overcome here. Her main rival Form cycle is also of noted as Key of Life potentially landing here after peaking in the recent races opening the door for others to step up on the win end.#6 MAPLE LEAF MEL looks well intended for this spot and thus far the connections have been exceptional picking spots and timing as she puts her perfect 3-for-3 record on the line. She has done her better running on the lead and setting faster paces than Key of Life giving MAPLE the edge of the two, though the two have each other to battle on the front end and likely to be joined by #1 L STREET LADY, #5 TOPSY and #7 BOUND BY DESTINY.

Trip could set up ideally for #4 AFTERNOON TEA, a lightly raced progressive filly with upside. She caught the eye in her debut showing class to hit the board following a compromised TROUBLES+ start and adversity in the trip dealing with traffic and additional trouble along the way. She validated those visuals coming back on April 7th breaking her maiden professionally and overcoming the far outside draw in a full field of Special Weight runners. The value should stick with her today and in this field given the others in the group and Prat sticking with Key of Life. The rider change is not of any concern here as Irad Ortiz, Jr. jumps aboard and should fit this filly perfectly.  

#10 AFTER EIGHT fits on the level of her rivals for this race and still presents upside as a lightly raced filly with ability. She has been favored in each of her races to date, including the maiden win on April 23rd at Keeneland bet down from the 10-1 ML. She showed class in that race making an easy lead separating from her rivals and holding clear late. The odds shift should keep her in the double digit range today as meets today's group, steps up in class and with Prat landing elsewhere.  

It is pretty obvious #2 RATTLE N ROLL is the horse to beat. He had a level of class as juvenile winning the Breeders' Futurity (G1) and progressed as sophomore and this season with the BTL effort in the New Orleans Classic (G2) parlaying into the Bel Ali (G3) win. 

#1 KUCHAR has yet to reach that same level number and class wise though follows a similar progression as a lightly raced older horse that has upside and form lines with Rattle N Roll, finishing a solid second behind him last summer in the American Derby at Churchill Downs.

#5 LAW PROFESSOR is a solid runner in his own right and likely to be the second choice and for many the Rattle N Roll alternative. While Law Professor is capable on his best day, he is not as consistent and unproven beyond 9f. Intent also comes into play as the connections had him entered as a main-track-only in the Fort Marcy (G2) on May 6th at Belmont. 

#9 FAIZA is tough to knock and makes sense as the favorite as the horse to beat. This will be her first start outside of California though the intent for this race has been documented and has the benefit of her record and graded stakes win streak.

#3 HOOSIER PHILLY was the early Oaks favorite last year though things have not panned out this year for her and lands here for Amoss looking to get on track. The value that is required should be present today as the public has shifted elsewhere and her run lines and finishing positions, certainly on paper, leave something to be desired. With that said, some excuses could be in play as she was compromised with the ride, trip and race flow returning in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) and similar when sent for the lead and into a duel, a change from her preferred run style given the complexion of the compact five horse field. The connections have kept the faith entering in the KY Oaks unable to draw in and remain on the big stage showing confidence running in this event. 

#2 PATE should be one of the longer shot runners in this race and certainly to win, though cannot be dismissed at the number to get involved for a share. Overall, she must step up though this could be the timing as she makes her second start here for Maker and freshened coming back for this stakes race in her second start around two turns. As an individual she has a lot of racehorse qualities, she shows up and runs her race each time and runs to compete.

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P 5 Shadows Terror 6 Talk Racy To Me 8 Suable Ace

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P 2 Kcs Starlite 5 Sweet Sandy Lou 4 Come Roll With Me