Handicapper Tips & Picks

The Mason barn should be trending in the right direction coming off a two-race win day last week and moves up #2 DRIVEN ONE in this spot. He has form coming in from his allowance races in May and from a physical standpoint should handle TURF and has back turf numbers that fit strongly at today’s claiming level/group.

The deep closing RunStyle (Quad II/IV) for #6 IOYA AGAIN has been his hurdle this season. Making that run from off the pace he has encountered TROUBLE and making his CLOSE late just left with too much to do. Similar can be said for #1 DYNABLUE has been holding his form and with some subtle trips keying off the TROUBLE on May 21^st and inside/SAVED trip finishing behind the top two together at the wire on June 11th.

#3 FLY NIGHTLY was scheduled to run against some of today’s rival back on May 21^st unable to draw in off the AE list and Vanden Berg opts for this spot rather than a $10k claiming race on June 7^th at HS Indy. He returns to this Hawthorne turf course/distance the scene of his most recent win back in June of last year. 

#1 HIGH BROW has some tactical speed and could sit the right trip in this compact field. Class wise he will find a subtle change and keying off the B OptixGRADE at this level on April 6^th. As far as the pace, Winebaugh will send out #2 GAME BOY BENNY likely to set the pace stretching out in distance from the sprints, something that could assist stablemate #5 DANVILLE looking for back-to-back wins. #4 GLOBAL EMPIRE returns from the June 6^th common race finishing behind DANVILLE, though did not have a favorable trip and returning with a rider change could be intent and in position to turn the tables. 

#7 LOTTA ROSES has run by far some of the faster races of any in this field and those efforts make her the horse to beat. At the same time she has had “lotta” chances and turned in a solid B- OptixGRADE effort at this level on June 4^th just met a better rival on the day. #5 TEXAS PRINCESS has perhaps the most upside coming into this race lightly raced with progressive figures. This will be her second start back off the layoff and projects to move forward off the subtle trip (TACTIC-) where she was held up early and ran on late when getting into the clear.

#4 SANGFROID started off her career on the grass and carries TURF visuals back to the grass for this race in the first time since those 2020 starts. She has the class rise to handle though has some back numbers that stack up with this field and is moving forward race-to-race in this third start off the layoff. 

#5 FROSHADO holds a class and even potential speed figure edge as a lightly raced sophomore filly showing up in this spot. She broke her maiden on debut earning a solid 85 OptixFIG and has since been running against solid allowance competition holding her own.

#4 BLACK FOREST started out her career in a similar manner showing progression race-to-race though has yet to take that required step forward and that could be the test for her today though the connections in the right spot on this circuit trying to find that right level and regain confidence.

#3 SUNSET PAYNTER showed a lot of ability on debut leading to a private purchase and ambitious placement by the connections at Oaklawn Park following. She showed run in those Oaklawn races more than the running lines and finishing positions suggest. The same carries from the June 8^th allowance race and is upgrade coming back in this spot with the SHORTER distance and preferred ONE_TURN.

The extra half-furlong could benefit #4 PEACH COBBLER as well as the circuit switch and form cycle pattern. He has been able to show more tactical speed and projects (Quad II above the ParLine) to show more early foot in today’s dynamic looking at OptixPLOT.

In terms of trip the off-the-pace RunStyle for #2 CHROME ATTACK is the challenge once again. She was able to benefit from the race FLOW earning place on June 8^th. The similar pace/trip challenges in play for her stablemate #7 RARE ACTION ATTACK in addition to class as she steps up from the claiming conditions. That similar class move will also be in play for #8 GOOD MONGOLIA coming back from the June 11^th win as well as for #1 PRANCIPANTS. 

#1 LITTLE BELLA comes right back for Witthauer from the June 11^th race, her first start off a lengthy 968-day layoff. She looked to have intent that day and was keen, hard sent to the lead and fast pace before tiring late. She does not “need the lead’ and comes back with a rider change that could see her take up a tracking trip (likely sitting just off #4 FOGGY KITTEN) looking for first run.

#2 KITTEN ROCKS is tougher to trust on the win end and even as an individual with the tendency to break slow. She returns with some changes today to suggest intent by trainer Brian Cook and is worth noting her most “recent” win was at this condition last June. Similar “back class” and figures apply to #5 RANK AND FILE and could see her starting to return to top form as she did not have her usual GATE (reluctant to load) issues on June 18^th.

#2 TEN COUNT could take the bulk of public support coming back off the layoff for Vanden Berg and from the place finish in his debut here last September. While he turned in an honest effort was able to benefit from a softer pace, with the two pacesetters together at the wire. In addition, he will be required to improve overall and require that improvement while giving up recency to others in the field and should be kept honest on the lead at least with #3 SHARP STICK and #4 DARK SOLUTION in the race.

Block will be represented by a pair today, both coming back from a common race on June 8^th. #7 EVEN THE WIND was given preference on the day based on some subtle trips and showing run in his turf starts out at Tampa and holding the May 4^th main track prep waiting for a return to the turf. #5 COOL AND COLLECTED has been waiting to debut on this circuit and at route of ground on the turf. He raced GREEN on debut, RANK early WIDE on the first turn and a handful for the rider that day. He returns with that experience under his belt, a rider change, and some additional training with the work on June 18^th.

Perez will also sent out a pair in this race the two softer on current numbers though carry upside and should improve in today’s race. #8 ICE SHARD showed a lot of run on debut following a SLOG/TROUBLE_S making a strong CLOSE and continued to GALLOP+ after the wire. He was scheduled to run on the turf for the debut, finds that surface today and could show more tactical speed both noting the start and returning with added ground for this second start. #9 RUSSIAN STANDARD will be given a class test (might require DROP) once again, though from a physical standpoint should handle the turf. 

First of four on the grass for the Thursday card. With the class drop, 2-DRIVEN ONE figures to be very tough. Trainer Ingrid Mason won a pair last week and the barn looks to be heating up. This one should be able to rate close early in a race that doesn't have a ton of pace. 6-IOYA AGAIN has run a pair of good races at this level on the meet. He just needs some pace to close into as he tends to sit back early and make one run in the lane. 1-DYNABLUE is another that tends to rate and rally, but not from as far back as Ioya Again. He has also run two good turf races recently and may benefit from a ground saving trip.

Not much pace in this race which could benefit 1-HIGH BROW from the inside. He scratched from a tough turf race on Sunday for this spot and has won on the lead in the back. Let's see if he can clear and back the pace down early. 5-DANVILLE was a sharp winner last out. He tracked the early leaders before moving at the top of the lane to take over. He likes the track and could get a similar trip once again. 4-GLOBAL EMPIRE figures to settle in the second flight and look to pick off horses late. The lack of pace to chase may hurt him slightly but he has had a solid year and fits at this level.

No standouts in here so worth looking for a bit of a price. 2-ARRINGTON tries the turf for the first time as she ran well on dirt at a similar level two starts back. She should be able to rate closer from the inside as the pace isn't likely to be too quick. 7-LOTTA ROSES is overdue for the maiden score. She ran a good race last out as she led late before being caught nearing the wire. Look for her to try to clear some horses from the outside early to get position into the first turn. 5-TEXAS PRINCESS also improved with the move to turf last out. She figures to tuck in just behind the early leaders and should move forward in the stretch.

Only five but a really tough allowance bunch as some shippers come in for this spot. The pace may be contested early which could help 5-FROSHADO as she ships in for trainer Eoin Harty. She ran a couple of big races at Tampa and chased a tough bunch at Keeneland in her last. She comes in off a recent bullet drill and looks sharp off the layoff. 4-BLACK FOREST has also faced some tough company. She tried the grass last out but turns back to the dirt sprint today as she has enough speed to contend early. 1-WILMA MANKILLER looks for three in a row as she has been sharp in her last two. She cleared and never looked back in her last and figures to be on the gas from the start once again.

A good turf allowance with a lot of different directions to look. 2-CHROME ATTACK ran a nice race in her last as she settled before rallying in the lane. She gets some pace to chase as she may look to tuck in early and hope traffic clears at the top of the lane. Really liked the effort of 9-BLAME NELLIE off the layoff last out. She got a perfect trip and was able to catch the leader nearing the wire. She drew outside that day and does so once again in here. 4-PEACH COBBLER has speed and some back class which could make her tough. She got bottled up a bit along the inside in her last and may look to rate much closer early today.

There's a couple that figure to go in here which could set things up for 3-GHAALEB'S APPEAL today. She rallied in her last couple and just missed behind the lone speed in her last. With a more contentious pace upfront today, it may be the perfect setup for her. 2-KITTEN ROCKS ran well on the grass last out but figures nicely in here on the class drop. Look for her to also sit back early and make one move in the lane. 4-FOGGY KITTEN has speed as she will look to outkick Little Bella to the front. If she clears easily she may never look back, but if she has company then it could compromise her chances.

Taking a shot in the finale as 8-ICE SHARD runs for a barn that has had a solid meet and the leading owner in the meet. He was intended for turf in his debut and stayed in when the race came off the grass. He had a very troubled start but recovered to move forwardly in the lane. He could step up off that effort at a price. 7-EVEN THE WIND is a horse I have followed since the spring in Tampa. He ran well on the grass here last out and figures to move up today. He also figures to take a good amount of action in this spot. 2-TEN COUNT has speed as he may try to clear and wire this field. He makes his first start out of the meet and potentially could be the fastest to the front. Let's see if he is ready off the layoff.

2-DRIVEN ONE should be hard to beat though there is a caveat. He’s dropping in class despite running well in allowance company which does seem a bit strange, especially since he’s eligible for starter races. He has been running on the main track lately but won two of his previous five turf races. He has a class edge over the other front runners. Might never look back. 1-DYNABLUE finished third in his two turf races at the meet. In his 20-race turf career, he had three wins along with 10 other in-the-money finishes. He’s not a big closer but will try to grind them down late. Six-time turf winner 6-IOYA AGAIN will be motoring late. He finished behind Dynablue in last couple but he’s always a threat to take it all.

Short field but great race. It looks like a toss up between 5-DANVILLE and 1-HIGH BROW but there is little evident early speed in this race and if any runner shoots to an early lead, they could stay in control throughout. 2-GAME BOY BENNY might be the one to grab an early unchallenged lead. He’s not your typical front runner but he did display good speed in the past and, with the stretch out to a route, he’s naturally going to appear quicker than he has been sprinting.

7-LOTTA ROSES might be the one. She didn’t show all that much in her first six turf races but she did finish second in last at this level. 5-TEXAS PRINCESS finished third, three lengths behind top pick in last, but that was her initial run on the weeds and her first race with Lasix. Experience can make the difference. 1-VELVET SEASON was trounced in all three of her races but she’s stretching out and moving to turf and her barn has popped with some real longshots by making those moves.

1-WILMA MANKILLER has speed, the rail, and she won her last two starts by daylight. This is obviously a tougher spot with three of her four rivals shipping in, but she could be up to the challenge. 4-BLACK FOREST didn’t handle the turf or an extremely tough spot at Keeneland in her previous start but she had been strong in every previous start. Like top pick, she has shown tenacity under pressure. They could be head-to-head all the way around. 5-FROSHADO, another shipper, also couldn’t handle tougher at Keeneland. But she could have the perfect running style for this race. She’ll be stalking the pace behind the top pair and might be able to edge by late. 3-SWEET NELLIE is two for two since getting claimed by this barn. Like Froshado, she’ll be racing behind the early leaders and will try to run at them late. 2-SALLY’S SUPRISE could be in a little too tough.

6-MY LADY SLEW can surprise. There are no world beaters in the spot despite the conditions and the purse. She could be the best of the speed. She tired going a mile in last but she wired the field in her previous start. The turn back in distance should be a big help. Might lead throughout. Not in love with 4-PEACH COBBLER but she has been meeting what is probably tougher company. Her recent form leaves a lot to be desired but facing this somewhat easier field could be just what the doctor ordered. 8-GOOD MONGOLIA is always a threat. Six-time turf winner surprised in last. Meets what should be a tougher field here but it’s simply not that tough.

4-FOGGY KITTEN best fits the conditions of this race. She’s been claimed from her last three, going back and forth between two barns. She tired in her last but she’s been given a month freshening and could be in control of this field from start to finish. 3-GHAALEB’S APPEAL showed nothing last year but she finished second in both races this year. Probably stalks the pace hoping the front runners come back to her. 2-KITTEN ROCKS is often in the hunt. Drops in class, turns back in distance and goes from turf to dirt, Will try to come on late.

3-SHARP STICK has had two “eventful” local trips. In the first, he ran with blinkers and obviously hated them. In last, scheduled as a turf sprint, he had a ton of traffic trouble early and still managed to finish second. Today he’ll be stretched out and will race on turf for the first time. Beaten odds-on favorite could make amends. 2-TEN COUNT ran very well in his lone start; a maiden special on the turf here in September. He led from the start and then fought gamely down the stretch only to lose by a nose. He’s been working well for his return to racing. Would expect another top-notch effort. 4-DARK SOLUTION has the most turf experience. He’s had six races on the lawn and finished second in three of them. He finished well behind top pick in that last race but it could be an entirely different story on the weeds.

T 1 Muscle Detector 3 Mrstery Deal 6 Top Mast

T 1 Craft Made 7 Southwind Cerveza 6 Patrick Rules

T 5 Fitness Class 4 Queen Cabal 3 Cold Snaps

P 6 Stay Classy 7 Pass And Stow 4 Sporty Liz

P 4 Chickentown 1 Ladysmith 3 Warrawee Yoko

T 8 Villefranche As 7 Illusional 6 Angel Of My Dreams

P 8 Capytreach 3 Pass Line 5 Raffle Winner

T 4 Times Like These 5 Glenfidich 1 Severence Angel

T 7 Lite The Candles 6 Father Daniels 5 Twin B Showmance

P 4 Prove Em Wrong 3 Redlandbethanyjean 1 Moonstruck