Handicapper Tips & Picks

P 5 Cyclone Banner 3 Speedy Dominic 7 Tremendous Play

T 7 Trix And Stones 1 Get In And Go 5 Manofmanymuscles

P 6 Better Option 2 Lloyd’s All In 3 Iam Erik

T 3 Tuis Shadow 2 Tulsa Bell 1 Black Hawk Down

T 1 Magical Journey 5 Rattling Pines 6 Valentine Express

P 4 Santastic Cruiser 2 Keystone Pearl 3 Bee A Hardtthrob

P 1 Amadeus As 2 Stralitblackdragon 3 Flyin Fitz

P 1 Nvrfearlloydishere 2 Kneedeep N Custard 5 Champagneonabeach

P 1 I’m A Skoldier 2 Father Ted Gb 4 Youmakemyheartsing

P 7 Makin Some Noise 6 Carolina Beach 5 Elliot Moose

T 3 Texsong Soprano 1 Kandy Sweet 5 Joggingtothebank

P 1 A Girl Can Dream 5 Honeymoon Trail 4 Bobbie N Poppie

P 2 Girlinaredsundress 5 Pocketfulofpromise 6 Nacho Mama

P 8 Cobbler 6 Ginger Tree Lena 2 Cruisin Flower

P 3 What Now Jenny 6 Woodmere Jade 1 Beggintobefrisky

2-PONDA HAWK-Been good with Husted in the bike

8-FOX VALLEY CRETE-Good form lately; won last

6-RYAN’S AMBASSADOR-Returns from Hoosier; meets a bit easier

3-SILVERSTONE-Been knocking at the door awhile

6-ERNIE THE MOOSS-Second last two this level; breaks thru?

1-WATT A HARDT-Just 3^rd at long odds this level

7-CASH WITH JOE-Meets a bit softer in Hawthorne debut

5-KEY INGREDIANT-Been pretty competitive this level for months

3-M’S MAGIC-Impressive wire-to-wire win in last but needs better here

2-RJ ROCKS-Might surprise against this somewhat easier group

1-FOX VALLEY CAYMAN-Incredibly consistent this year

4-MILLENNIAL-Can’t remember when he last had a bad race

4-ART IT IS-Been racing competitively this level in Indiana

10-TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER-Won for fun the last time he raced this level

3-COOL BLUES MAN-Been on a roll; won 3 of last four in Indy

9-HE’ZZZ A WISE SKY-Toughest challenge in a while but has to be caught

7-ROUND HERE BUZZ-Beaten at odds-on in last; can make amends

8-MT=R CHARISMA-Suddenly good; won last two

1-FOX VALLEY BRUIN-3rd in two of last three

9-FROZEN SHARK-Was in good form before last; can bounce back

10-COLE DID IT-Improved a bit in last; 2^nd Lasix today

8-M I ROCKIN-Tough post but maybe easier company

5-FOX VALLEY STEELER-Missed a couple starts; still ready?

4-FOX VALLEY TREASON-Tired as favorite this level; can he make amends?

2-SWEET TRUTH-Indy dropper can fly by late

9-JUSTA START-Speed but can he last on mile track?

3-NUI BA DEN N-Loves to finish 2^nd; just lost at odds-on

7-GET E UP-This class drop should do it

2-BETTER WAY TO ROCK-Easier company and better post

1-SONIC FLARE-Back from Indy; won here earlier this year

5-FILLISTER PHOTO-Meets easier at this level

8-ROAN BY DESIGN-Top of her game right now; won last two

6-FRISKE JOLIE-Been right there all year

7-PLAYODDSPLAY-Has win and narrow loss in last 2 this level

4-FOX VALLEY PRESLEY-Barely lost last two this level

3-ASHLEES SILVER GUY-Finally put it all together to win last

#4 BYZATINE finds the class drop in this second start off the layoff and with that change to find her top form. Her form from 2022 stacks up strongly against the others, though she has not replicated that form this year. The could appear the time and place with the changes in play all around as well as the timing for the Morse barn (and rider Leparoux) looking to continue the momentum from opening week. Form for #7 CUPID’S MUSIC also needs a return to a top to compete, though another that could find that top form with the changes. She has experience over this course all races last season against much tougher. The only time she raced at the claiming level was the 11/24 race sprinting when she was not asked for run. #1 MY CAJUN LADY could have some intent here as they connections will take advantage of any edges available as they race for the $12.5k tag and with that she will get into this race very light carrying 114 lbs. – a 9 lb. shift from the other two. 

#5 RUNNINGFORCASH is running for a lower claiming tag and appears the right change for this individual. The class drop appears a long time coming as he really did not shown much progression since the debut. Their form over this course is a little sneaky with the majority of the races at MSW and on off-tracks (NO_HANDLE) at the sprint distance and number wise improved with the stretch out in distance. As an individual #6 STAR NATION stacks up strongly with this group and at this claiming level. His form is also upgraded returning for this second start of the claim/cycle from the weak ride and excessive ground loss last month. With all of that said, trip/pace is required for this runner and key for Bailey. #1 SIR was able to get the better of #8 BEN DREAMING last season and has that slight edge of the pair coming back in this race. The pace/race shape might suit SIR as BEN DREAMING and #9 HUMOR ME NOW are likely to show early speed and should be joined by others such as #2 ZAP MOTION and #3 ASSUMPTION.

#4 LEGALLY LUCKY was upgraded when entered at this level here back in February though unable to make the race and has been off since that vet scratch. Given that prior intent, the layoff, and ship to Oaklawn Park noting she has been training at FG suggests intent. Further intent carries to #5 GOING THE DISTANCE for the connections and with the class change to race for the MCL tag for the first time. Her dirt sprint form from back in the spring should translate here and the 3/26 race could be further upgraded clearing (SPACED) to set a fast pace before tiring. #3 TRUE EMOTION also makes the return to Oaklawn and keying off the races last season appears back at the right level, keying off the figures and finishing positions. Number wise #6 K’ANTHEIA also with the class drop comes into this race with the strongest figures in her two starts that stand out in this group. There are some reservations not to mention she is cross entered earlier this week at Turfway (SCR from that race to run here) as she races for a tag after those two solid figures and competitive efforts in productive MSW events. The maiden claiming condition at Oaklawn Park is a condition where McPeek has struggled and many favorites coming up short. #1 UNION DAME will make her debut here for a barn that can be cagey and pop with a FTS. This filly was training here at OP briefly last meet and has intent. 

#3 CANDY COOP arguably fired her “best” race on debut here back in March in a conditional MSW event. She looks well-intended with the return to this circuit for the connections. #8 ADIVA has back numbers from her juvenile season that stand out as some of the higher figures in this field. She also brings upside with progress in this third start off the layoff and intent with the class drop looking for that belated win. #6 KAMIKAZI BLUE also takes the much needed class drop she has not shown much progression to suggest she could compete at the MSW condition though should move up on this change. As far as #7 OH MY GAWD she is capable and likely well intended for the connections first off the claim and with the massive drop looking for a soft spot to win. With that said, her debut she has a lone lead and an advantage in that 10/12 KEE race as the majority of the field had gate issues and were off slow. 

#2 BOAT SONG returns to OP with buried form and a competitive effort at this starter allowance level back in March. That event was a strong race with a higher OFR and the 84 figure on the day sits on the higher end of today’s par – and that figure is not even their top. #4 SUMMER IN MALIBU also holds buried form and multiple “Excuse” efforts in prior season. Some of those excuses can be chalked up to self-inflicted with a pattern of slog though comes back fresh, protected and in a race shape to work a trip with their stalking run style. Similar interest of connections are represented by #9 OLLIEMEISTER one that much work a trip from the outside and step from these events last season; efforts that resulted in a minor finish, though came up short of the “win” without excuse as the favorite. Contreras will send out a pair in this race and even though #6 PASS LINE just cleared the maiden condition he could be the “better” over #5 HUNTSVILLE. 

#1 JUSTIFIABLY SO will make a belated second start, though one with intent for this meet and the added ground. Since the debut in a strong race on the SAR day, he has trained steadily and that includes a work on 12/10 after they were unable to draw into a similar event as today on 12/9. B. Cox will send out a pair in this race and both lightly raced could step up off those efforts. #5 MASMAK has the foundation around two turns as they make a third start while #6 LEFT TACKLE will stretch out coming back for this second start. LEFT TACKLE returns from a common race with #8 GIVE ME A REASON, those two behind a much the best Mott runner called Knightsbridge. Two have run back and did not show much improvement overall in the following start, and these two will need to step here. #3 LAT LONG is the most established and has that on his side. With that said, each minor finish has been short both in outcome and class for that “winning” race for the level and to win here must step up.

#3 EFFICIENCY is one of a few “non-winners of three” to fit this condition. As far as his prior starts, he has run against a higher allowance group including the races here last season . Thise efforts and figures stack up on par for today’s level and outside of the 4/23 race when in for the $75k tag races for the claiming tag today. #8 MALIBU S S fits this condition on eligibility with his most recent win on 8.12, five days prior to the 8/17 cut off to compete here. He is another that throughout his career has run in higher conditioned events and the few time at the claiming level (3 of the 4 at the higher $50k level) he has 4-3-1-0 record. Assessing the early pace it should be honest (even with the two AE runners unable to draw in) given the complexion of this field. Both #10 GOOD SCOUT and #11 SHACKS WAY bring in early speed with the class edge (and likely value) sitting with SHACKS WAY to separate the pair. 

#7 SARATOGA SECRET showed class to break her maiden on debut and wheel right back to pick up black-type in the Schuylerville (G3). She returned fresh last month in the Fern Creek, a listed stakes event full of quality and was not disgraced showing a different dimension from off the pace making a wide move after taking contact at the start. As noted the strength of the race and already showing a next out winner, the only one that has run back as the 6^th place finisher, Ma Rae’s Girl returned to win a N1X allowance on Wednesday (12/13) at Turfway Park. Jockey Florent Geroux has one mount on this entire card aboard #4 COASTAL INVASION. Outside of that suggested intent, her debut figure sits as one of the stronger in the field and her early speed shown on debut could hold in this group as well. Miller will ship in a pair of fillies for owner G. Barber both with some ability and graded stakes intent. While #1 CHEEKY GAL has the graded stakes run, #3 FIESTY MITOLE has been entered twice in graded stakes events while still a maiden and has shown progression with racing. 

#7 TEJAS might have needed the race coming back off he layoff last month at CD. It could suggest further intent they land here on the 30-day turnaround and return to Oaklawn Park where he showed improvement last season and class breaking his maiden on 5/6 dealing with trouble adversity and making a couple of moves to get the win. #11 ELUSIVE TARGET had legit TROUBLE+ last month on the turf at HS Indy. Claimed out of that race by sharp connections that point to Oaklawn, they likely looked through the form and saw the 2022 races from the sophomore season. Despite the place finish last month, #2 O P FIRECRACKER could be overlooked in this event. On class, he must show he can compete at this level, though finds a slight drop off the recent three races. #12 TEN DAYS LATER should get the attention coming off a place finish last month at CD. A repeat of that effort has him competitive here, though this one has struggled throughout his career to pair top efforts and a top effort is required in this spot. 

#10 WHERE’S RANDY returns with a similar form cycle pattern that has been successful in the past and suggests intent returning here. He has the foundation at the route distance (as well as at the allowance level) from back in April with the trouble trip that compromised him on the day and in the show finish. #2 TOPF ROAD RULES is a reclaim for Peitz and J J Thoroughbreds, connections that had this one to start off his career up through the 2022 season prior to the layoff they returned from back in January. That change suggests intent and going back to that time this one was competitive at this OC condition, despite the lack of a win and those races are buried in the standard past performances. 34 CHOCTAW ZIP will make his seasonal debut and with that return from the 253-day break a two turn debut. That creates a lot of hurdles, though as an individual he showed up in each start last year and improved with racing and still showed progression up until end of the season.