Handicapper Tips & Picks

An off track is possible for today’s races so bet accordingly. Have to give the nod to 3-TIMELESS GLORY. She comes off a good second-place finish while making her Hawthorne debut. Puts blinkers back on after six starts without them. Her connections must think she lacks focus and the blinkers could help. 2-NO NANNETTE NO drops while returning to the main track. She finished third in her last Hawthorne dirt route beaten only a head but seven lengths in front of the third-place finisher. 5-CAIRO SUMMER is fresh off her third career victory. She is meeting tougher here but the speed figure she generated in that last race suggests that she can run with these. 6-WEEKEND PASS has had six off-track races and finished in the money in five of them, winning once and finishing second four times.

7-CLEAN N CONVINCING hasn’t raced since August and his recent workout pattern leaves a lot to be desired. However, he’s a seven-time turf winner, though only one of those wins was at this distance, and he races for the top barn and he gets the top rider in his irons. 5-GREELEY’S ICE ran his eyeballs out in last, only to lose by a head at almost 33-1. That race was scheduled for turf but moved to the main track. Always though he was a bit better on the lawn. Can prove it today with a surprise victory. 8-MALLIGATOR has been in poor form but he’s turning back in distance and appears to be the only one capable of closing in this speed-filled field. Watch for that late run.

7-MADELYN BELLE almost lived up to the even-money favoritism in her debut. She wasn’t pressed early but came flying in the stretch to finish second by a rapidly-diminishing nose. She’s meeting some runners that look like they could give her a run for the money in this but have to figure that she’’’ be even better the second time around. 1-LOVEYOULIKECRAZY could be the main competition. She finished second in the Debutante in the fall and came back to run a solid third in her first start of this year. She finished a couple lengths behind top choice in that start but she does have speed and the rail. Don’t count her out. 5-LADY WHITE SOX had a couple good races here last year before shipping to Indiana to take on open company in a route. That didn’t work out to well. However, the last time she ran here she finished second while running against the boys. If she can emulate that effort, she’s going to make her presence felt. 

8-OPTION just daylighted the field to earn his second victory. He took the lead quickly, coasted along early and ultimately drew off to win by 12. He always had speed but never showed quite that much. Maybe he can repeat. It’s been a long time since 5-LOOK AWAY showed anything but he has never been in this easy. Could come alive with the drop in class. 4-FLASHY RICHIE has a thing about finishing third. He’s done it all three of his starts at this level. With a little luck he might be able to better that finish in this race.

5-ACT A FOOL never ran on turf but he has simply been so sharp after a poor debut that he is probably the one to beat. The turf has been extra firm recently so that could be a factor in his favor although the weatherman is calling for rain so that seeming advantage could come to naught. In any case, they are going to have to try to catch him. 1-REALLY GOOD was a top-notch 2-year-old until he finished 12^th in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. However, he was only six lengths back at the finish in that closely matched race. His races so far this year haven’t been too impressive but his speed figures have been right there. The lightly-raced 6-OUT OF DEDUCTIONS didn’t show a thing in his debut but followed that race with an 11-length maiden romp in his first start here. Faces winners for the first time and found a tough spot to do it but he does appear to have tons of potential. The three Perez-trained entrants in this race have all seen limited turf action. One turf race each, but all have shown various hints of ability.

No real standouts in this race but with all the speed I had to look for a runner who would be a bit more patient. 2-CALL ME ICEMAN might best fit that description. He was overmatched in a stakes race last time out but he had been running well prior. The pace sets up. Might do it. 3-LOOKIN FOR BALA could turn out to be the best of the speed. Futurity winner from last year looked a bit dull in his 2023 debut but was in a field of “monsters”.  Headed downstate for an eight-length romp in his last. Might not get caught today. 1-RIVZONAROLL is plenty quick but tends to fold under pressure. If he can get a clear early lead he could develop some courage but not sure that is happening.

7-SOLID COUNTRY GOLD finished fourth in his last three starts but all those races were on tougher circuits. There isn’t a whole lot of speed ahead of him but that’s not always as important on the lawn. Runs by with a flourish. 2-SIMPLE LOGIC seems to have a case of seconditis. Beaten favorite in his first start of the year should have derived needed conditioning from that race. Better speed than top choice will give her first run at the early leaders. That could be the winning move. 10-SON OF GRACE is probably in too tough but he has a great turf record and he could figure in the outcome.

2-MAD DRAGON might hold a slight edge. He was narrowly beaten in his lone start. But it’s been a month since that last start and he’s had only the one short and slow drill since. Caution is urged. 1-UNCAPTURED DREAM finished a couple lengths behind top choice two races back and then narrowly lost last when dropped to this level. This race could be too short for 7-BLACK RUSSIAN but I like the way he was moving late in last when dropped to this level. With the likelihood of a protracted speed duel, he might be able to roll by late.