Handicapper Tips & Picks

1-GHAALEB'S MAGIC was in great form when 2022 ended and she’s been in good form so far this meet. Winner of last meets many of the same runners she just beat. Can do it again.  3-MI CRESCENDO made a nice late move to get up for second in her first start of the meet but might be headed for first today. The pace of this race could set up even better. She should be flying late. 6-APOLLO U ANYWHERE seems to hold a hefty speed advantage. However, he folded badly in last after leading early. On the other hand, he had a win and a narrow loss in his prior two races. Which runner shows up today? 

3-COMMAND POINT came up just short in last, a race won by Prancipants, who wired the field. Today however, that rival meets at least one runner who is also going the be gunning for the lead. But, have to wonder if the mile distance of this race will be too short for her. Hmmm. 6-PRANCIPANTS committed larceny when she wired the field at 22-1 in last while making her turf debut. That was her third win in a row. She’s likely to face marginally more pressure today but could possibly get the same kind of trip. 7-SAFE TRAVELS drops to the right level. She was overmatched in her first race of the meet but could prove to be the best of the speed at this level. 

3-D'ARCHER appears to be the only real speed in this race. He wired the field in his last start and won his previous race from right off the pace. He could prove tough to catch in this one. 2-BAREFOOTBOOTLEGGER never fired in last when moved into started company. Don’t think the company was too tough, he just never made a move. Drops back into claimers for this. He’s going to finish well. Seems to have the best chance to run down top choice. 5-IDEA MAN was a sharp winner last time out when he dropped to this claiming level. Meets a somewhat tougher group this time out but he can’t be taken lightly. 

2-SUMMER DAY will be tough. She was favored in her first race of the year and did take the lead late but just ran out of gas late. But this time she’ll be running with the benefit of that recent race and the cutback to a mile. She seems likely to earn her third career victory. 4-COWGIRL FRANKIE flew late in last to get up for second. She finished ahead of top pick in that race. It is interesting to note that was only the second turf race of her career. Could have more upside. 8-CAT ROYALE is worth another look. She never ran on turf but she does own a great turf pedigree. Think she’ll be running prominently early and she could be extremely dangerous if she takes to the lawn. 

7-MANTA REY makes his local debut. He had some good races at Oaklawn, often against far tougher company. He has been gelded since his last start and runners often improve dramatically after that operation. If he runs like he did in those good Oaklawn races, he should graduate with honors in this one. Heard rumors that 6-WICKED WOW is a runner. He's had decent drills coming into his career debut and he gets a sharp rider in the irons. Definitely worth another look. The well-bred 8-BLACK RAVEN split a field of five in his lone start but runners from this barn almost always improve the second time around. 

An abundance of speed in this field should make an interesting race. 3-LADY RADLER might be the most interesting of the bunch. She tired in her lone turf start but she came right back to win a dirt stakes race in her last start. This field is probably easier than the one she met in that turf handicap, though she could have a tough time clearing the rest of the speed. We’ll see if she can get it done. 2-SOMEONE SAID SO could be the beneficiary of a multi-runner speed duel. She’s not a big closer but she isn’t likely to get caught up in the front-end frenzy and might be able to take advantage late. 4-BERAVINA turns back in distance. She showed little in her prior turf races but they were contested on tougher circuits. Guessing she’ll run at them late.  

3-GROVELAND was on the Derby trail earlier in the year and was graded stakes placed two starts back. But, a poor effort in last dashed those hopes. However, he’s back in training and ready to run. Seems likely to outclass this field. 4-BLAME SHFTER has been getting better with every start. Recent grad takes on winners for the first time and found himself in a pretty tough spot but he could be up to the challenge. 2-DANCE SOME MO is a well-traveled runner that has only won on the lawn but he’s had occasional good races on the main track. He seems quicker than most in here. Might be able to build an easy lead and at least hang on to share.