Handicapper Tips & Picks

It might not be a quite a no brainer but 4-SWEET LITTLE LISA finished second in both her starts, Both were scheduled for turf but only the first was contested on the weeds. She came from off the pace in her first start and led most of the way in last. Should be at the top of her game in the third start of her career. 7-RUTH OF JUDAH has been training well toward her career debut. Well-bred runner (incidentally she was bred, in part, by Springhouse Farm in Kentucky, the same as top choice) races for connections that bring them ready. She could be a bit of a price. Pay heed. 6-GETOUTOFMYKITCHEN is quick from the gate. She ran competitively in Minnesota last year in her only previous turf race. She’s older and maybe faster now. Might consider including the price shot in vertical gimmicks.

7-ICE BLAST looks like the best of these. Short-priced winner of last versus better was claimed from that race but the vet voided that claim. Now he’s dropping in class and his connections are daring someone to claim him again. 3-NOT VERY GENTLE and 8-GAGOOTS fell victim to a solo front runner in last. They both closed well but there was no catching the lone speed. The pace of this race should be more fair but now they will be tasked with catching a class-dropping winner of last.

6-TIME HEIST should be tough in this spot. Beaten favorite of last drops into a far easier spot. It certainly helps that the pace of this race should be fairly brisk, helping to set things up for his late run. 3-PUBLIC SAFETY drops even more, and like top choice, should love the way the pace sets up. Can run by them all. 5-WILDWOOD SECRET is capable of coming from off the pace but, if he gets sent, he could turn out to be the best of the speed.

9-PRINCESS STELLA has been in great form and would almost look like a standout if there weren’t so many in here that never ever raced on the lawn. She won three of her 11 grass races and has been good on the main track. There is plenty of speed in here to keep her company on the front end but her turf experience could be the determining factor. 6-SEAWARD shouldn’t be ignored. With two grass victories, only top pick has more. She won a turf starter here last fall. Might be able to surprise again. These turf sprints are usually filled with speed runners and this race is no exception. 2-LONG TALL WOMAN might benefit most of the probable blistering pace. She finished second in her lone start of the weeds. Might fly by all of them late in this race.

5-BREAKING NEWS makes his first start of the year and his first on this track but he has been working bullets in preparation for his return to racing. This well-traveled runner could be meeting his easiest field ever. He’s as quick as any in here but just as capable coming from slightly off the pace. Should be ready for his sharp barn. 2-RIVSONAROLL says catch me. He tired late in both races this year but he’s another meeting possibly his easiest field ever. Might never look back. 9-SONNYISNOTSOFUNNY could turn out to be the best closer in this speed-filled race. He never fired in a race originally scheduled for turf in last but he had been in good form prior. Can bounce back in a big way.

Multiple stakes-winning 1-SAILING SOLO has only had three races since 2021 but did manage to run well in all of them. Speedy 8-year-old was favored in his local debut and led most of the way but was passed late and finished second. It’s been nearly six weeks since that race but he did have a couple strong works in the interim. Might have the edge this time that he seemed to lack in last. 10-GITA’S LAD is entered for main track only but with thunderstorms predicted for all morning, that might come to pass. Dangerous speed must be caught. 8-POWER THROUGH could be the best of the speed if this race stays on the lawn. 6-PROTONIC POWER will get a lot of play despite winning only one of his six turf races. Not sure he can win but he will be coming late.

4-OEUVRE has been very tough locally, winning seven of her nine Hawthorne races, 11 of 19 of lifetime starts, with earnings of over $500k. She owns great tactical speed and can win from off or on the pace. But, she never ran on an off track. However, the rain is scheduled to stop well before our scheduled late post and this race will take place late in the card so chances are the track will be fast by post time. 2-CHEETARA shipped here last summer and won the Crestwood Stakes, beating many of the rivals in this race. She was favored in that race but could be a relative longshot in here despite continued success. She’s another capable of winning on or off the lead. 3-CHARLIE’S PENNY finished second to Cheetara in the Crestwood last year but she’s been even more successful in the interim since that race. She finished out of the money only one in six races since and that race was on the lawn.

9-CONGRATS ON FIFTY looks like the best of the speed. He tired in his lone race, a six-furlong contest at Oaklawn, but he’ll be fitter and in easier company in his local debut. With a second-place finish in his lone turf start, 4-ICE SHARD looks like the one to beat. However, that race was at a mile and this race will be contested at five furlongs, a whole different ballgame. Not sure he’ll even be in tough with the field early. 12-PIRATE MARMALADE is a first timer with slow drills but a terrific turf pedigree. Might be worth a look if he draws into the race. 5-DARK SOLUTION has had some good turf races at Canterbury, mostly against Minnesota breds, but at least we know he can handle the lawn.