Handicapper Tips & Picks

Hard to determine what we will get from 3-SWEET LITTLE LISA on the main track but worth trying to find out. She has decent works on the main track and there looks to be a decent amount of pace to chase. Let's see if she can rate and rally in here. 7-VISIONISTA chased last out and ran on through the wire in that spot. She makes her second start off the layoff and if she can repeat that last performance I expect she is a factor once again. 4-GETOUTOFMYKITCHEN makes her first start off a lengthy layoff. She did show speed in her starts as a 2yo but only one workout off the layoff leaves some concerns.

Wouldn't be surprised if we start to see this barn wake up a bit as runners have done well in the last couple of weeks for trainer Brian Cook. He sends out 6-CHRISTMAS PRESENT as he comes in off an improved effort in his last. There's some pace to the inside to chase as this distance may suit him nicely. 4-SOUPER FORTUNE is one with some speed as he gets some class relief in here. He rated and rallied at this distance in a start here last November and could go that route if the inside runners leave for the top. 3-HATCHET CREEK is another who is at his best over this track. He chased the entire way last out as the only concern in here may be the distance.

It was a good win last out on the front end at Belterra for 1-LADA KALINA but today I expect she looks to rate and run on late. Let's see if Tavares can tuck her in right behind Sweet Crystal early and get the first run on the late closers. 2-MUD HUT has some tactical speed as she comes off a tough trip in her last. She's another that could rate close early and look to go with Lada Kalina in the lane. 3-PRIMITY may sit a bit further back early in here as she faces open company for the first time in her career. She will be hoping for some pace to chase as she should pick up the pieces in the lane.

This is an excellent maiden race as any of these can win. 3-GONE AGAIN comes out of a tough race in his last as he battled the entire way and was beaten by a strong runner in Tahoe Run. There's a little bit of pace on the outside in Minnesota Moon but if he can stalk the pace he could take over late. 2-REGIMENTAL was a good claim in Kentucky it appears last out as we will find out today. He had to chase a very slow pace in his last and still closed late. Things should be a bit quicker upfront in here which could set up for his closing move. 4-BLACK RAVEN stretches out off a good sprint effort in his last. He closed well late in that spot but is likely to show a bit more speed early today.

A really competitive bunch but the speed of the speed has to be 5-APOLLO U ANYWHERE. She ran a big race in her last as she cleared and never looked back. This distance should suit her well as she may be able to repeat that last performance. 2-GHAALEB'S MAGIC rated in the second flight behind Apollo U Anywhere last out and was left to chase the entire way. She was able to run that one down two races back when the pace upfront was contested. With the right setup she could be tough once again. 4-ARCH FLYER tends to stalk the pace and in her last two starts she has shown the ability to finish. This form cycle could be peaking, but with a repeat of her last race she should be right there once again.

This becomes a very tough race to handicap coming off the turf. A horse that is proven on the dirt and could handle the two turns is 9-WHITE LIES. She has enough speed to find a good spot early and gets a strong finishing rider in Lezcano in the saddle. Let's see if she can pull off the upset. 3-TRAIL RIDGE ROAD has some solid turf form but ran a good race while facing similar on the dirt last December. She also won't be too far back in here but figures to take some action today. 5-SUMMER DAY has run a couple of races on the grass this meet but she's just as tough on the dirt as shown in her races three and four starts back. She will need pace to chase but can close some ground in the stretch.

8-STORM APPROACHING scratched out of a spot on Wednesday's card for this spot as he looks to turn things around. He has some speed, but with some others in here with some early sprint speed as well, he may be best off looking to rate and rally. 3-SANTINO'S FANTASY was claimed back into the Vanden Berg barn off a second place effort in his last as he returns in the same spot today. He figures to track the leaders early and will look to rally in the lane. 7-LAMELO was able to grind out a victory last out for a barn that has had a strong meet. He may sit a bit further back early as he will need to repeat that last performance to be there once again.

3-FROSTED TEMPTATION comes in off what was a sneaky good performance in his debut. He rated mid-pack early in that spot in a race that had some traffic troubles early. There is some pace in here but I expect he shows a bit more speed in this spot as well. 6-A P BLAZING GREEN chased in his last and battled late into the lane in that spot. We welcome Rocco Bowen back into the saddle in this spot as he returns from injury. He is a strong rider and should have this runner in the mix the entire way. 9-FAST FORWARD ran improved races in Indiana in his last couple. If he can get to that race from two starts back, he will be very tough once again.