Handicapper Tips & Picks

#2 OMAHA GIRL could be under the radar in this stakes event and live in this spot. She will make her return from a near excuse in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1) an event outside of the trip had her as a legit longshot on the day. She returns in 2024, not only to regain form from graded stakes company but back to Gulfstream Park and the turf. Heading into the BC, she was training well at Santa Anita and showing progression with each race. Since the return to Florida, she has trained steadily (the 12/18 work in company with Power Squeeze, the Cash Run Stakes winner on 1/1) throughout December to prepare for this race. She will also pick up jockey David Egan, a first call rider for Amo Racing. His one mount this meet was for Amo aboard Kingmax in the Fort Lauderdale (G2) a "winning" effort closing together at the wire with the "lone" winner settling for place. 

OMAHA GIRL should be overlooked off the recent running line, layoff and with softer figures compared to others: her main rivals and logical fillies, #4 OZARA and #12 LIFE'S AN AUDIBLE. 

The same connections return in the Limehouse Stakes with #2 VALIANT FORCE. This one shows up as the class of the field and returning from a strong BTL place finish (B) in the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint finishing second and earning a strong figure, a number that stands out in this field. With that said, there are changes today and first start over the dirt, giving up that surface experience to others. I have not seen him work on the main track, though local DRF clocker Mike Welsch said he was "impressive" back on 12/22 with the 47 flat "bullet" move. The connections were quoted after the BC to stay in America with Delgado in Florida and with a graded stakes placed runner and winner at Ascot, it would not seem logical to "take a shot" doing something new unless there was confidence with the change. 

#10 AGATE ROAD will get a lot of attention returning from BC Juvenile Turf (G1) in this spot for the connections. He was not on the level of the competition that day and the overall race did not appear as strong as prior editions. There was one next out winner, Get Hot winning a weaker G3 at DMR in their next start. #6 AIR RECRUIT also returning from that BC event and could present upside in his own right and value as the longer odds of the two. He was given a stiff class test with the circuit switch and graded stakes company on the day and earned the same overall C+ OptixGRADE as AGATE ROAD. 

Looking at alternatives: #7 PALM TREE has graded stakes form keying off a BTL effort in the Bourbon (G2) with TRAFFIC TROUBLE playing a role in the result, the 7th place finish a blanket for the minors. He makes his second start off the layoff and should be fit from a subtle WIDE trip and BLANKET finish last month in the Pulpit stakes. #5 REMINDER also returns from the Pulpit stakes, with a game effort given the TROUBLE and determined CLOSE. He has improved with each start and tough to dismiss though coming off a top in the second start of the cycle for that race must continue to hold form.