Handicapper Tips & Picks

2-PAINTSVILLE hasn’t exactly been a world beater, he is making his 17^th start as a maiden, but his last few turf races have been pretty good. He’s been training well toward his first start of the year. Might finally graduate. 8-DARK SOLUTION is worth another look. Ignore his recent dirt races. He has been far better on the lawn. Obviously, his best races were in 2021, before the long layoff, but think the move back to the weeds and the stretch in distance could be just what the doctor ordered. 4-ELECTRIC CHARGE finished in the money in two of his three turf races. He owned better speed in the past but he’s been coming from off the pace lately. However, not sure there will be enough pace to set up for that late run.

1-QUILTING PARTY is a slim pick in a race than any in here can win. It’s been six weeks since her last race, a win on the turf, but she has done well off similar layoffs. Especially like that she won three of four at the distance and finished second in the other. Can handle open company. 3-COTTON CANDY ANNIE figures prominently. She won the last three times she was entered in the right spots, ignoring turf and stakes races. Don’t know if there will be enough speed to set up for her late run but guess we’ll see. 2-ZING has often met better rivals. Results are mixed. She won her last on turf but her races in Louisiana and Kentucky against tough rivals suggest she could be better on the main track. 5-JOURNEYIST, 4-WHITE LIES and 6-RAINY MOUNTAIN might vie for the lead. 

1-STOPSHOPPINGAMY is one of those droppers that you don’t want to pick but can’t find a way not to. She’s been running well, without winning, against better rivals this year. Would seem likely to dominate this field at this level but they are dropping her a few levels for a reason. 6-GETTING DOWN rides a two-race win streak. This fast filly won those races easily. However, she was claimed from last and she’ll be taking on other speed runners at a tougher level. 4-PALAGO drops to make her 2023 debut. She won a starter here last year and crushed the field the last time she ran at the $6250 claiming price. Might need the start but might not.

6-BERTRADA was overmatched in last but held her own against that much tougher field. Drops back into claimers for this race. She won her previous two starts by daylight. Drops to a better level for this. Should get back on the winning track. 1-COUGAR was a popular wire to wire winner last time out and she’s been in competitive form for months, finishing out of the money only one time in her last 10 starts. She could face more early pressure than she’s used to in this spot but she really hasn’t shown much quit. Could be right there throughout. 3-TIMELESS GLORY is a versatile runner with the ability to run well on or off the pace. She’s another that has been in good form. Figures prominently.

6-BEEHIVE makes the first start of her career. She’s an Illinois bred facing open company which can be a challenge. But looking at her last drill, the :46.3 from the gate, one has to be impressed. That might be one of the quickest gate works that I have seen around here for a long time. It was second fastest of the day at the distance but most of those working weren’t leaving the gate. On top of that, she’s a 2yo outworking older company. Bears watching. 4-GO MARGIE GO is another first timer with great drills. All three of her works were bullets. It’s true all were at three furlongs but she only has to run five. 2-SWEET SMILA, another Illinois bred, was sharp in her career debut. She fought for the lead from the start and still managed to hang on for second. Could be far tougher with experience.

Great race without any real standouts, at least on paper. Going to give the edge to 11-PRINCESS THEOREM. Again, not a strong choice, but she’s been taking on some tough company lately and she just finished fourth in a Grade 3 “key” race with all three runners that beat her coming back to win their next starts. She’s listed as third highweight. Many of her rivals have had far more success but this could be her spot. 9-SHE CAN’T SING would normally be my top choice but losing that last over lesser company bothered me. She has been the most successful of these and she’s capable of winning no matter the pace, however. Might be vulnerable but could easily be the best of these. Always respect the speed on 8-KATIE M LADY. She has had nine turf races and won five of them while finishing second in the other four. This is probably the toughest field she has ever faced but she doesn’t know that. Will have to be caught.

1-JOYZELLA makes her 14^th start as a maiden but she’s been running over her head for many of those races. She’s turning back in distance, moving from turf to dirt, but most importantly going from open maidens into state breds. She’s had only two previous races against state breds and both were stakes and she ran well in both. 5-COMMISSIONER GULCH might be the one to beat. She finished third in all four of her races. She just ran third in open company. Her late move can take them. 2-NO NAP NEEDED is a first timer with decent drills coming into this race. Could be the best of the rest.

This looks like a race that any can win. But there is an abundance of speed so I searched for a runner capable of coming from off the pace.  Landed on 5-REAL NEWS. Likely longshot finished fourth in last but he was making his first start of the year. He was a good turf sprinter in the past. Owns enough speed to stay close but should have something left for the finish. 2-IAN GLASS is another that has shown some capacity to come on late, though he’s just as apt to try for the lead. 1-TIGHTROPE has speed and the rail. Never won on the lawn but he could be just a bit quicker than the rest.