Handicapper Tips & Picks

#1 BIG TROUBLE looks well-intended here and prepared off her works to compete first out. She has been working in company and much the best over her workmates and looks the part of a turf runner that can also handle the sprint distance. She has been working outside her company and trip must be negotiated from the rail. #10 THIS MUST BE LOVE might not look that quick "on paper" though she is. She has been working in hand with today's rider aboard in the morning and like many Rivelli runners would not be surprised to see her on the lead right out of the gate. 

#1 ST. SUSAN was scheduled for the turf when she made her debut back on 12/18 racing in the rain/WEATHER. Off the visuals she should move up on the turf and off the trip, a subtle trip showing run in a manner that did not allow for her to show her best. 

#3 KATHERINE THOMAS will reunite with Castellano, her rider from the debut back in the summer at Saratoga. She has trained forwardly down in FL and every bit a turfy-type to build off her first two starts. 

In terms of FTS, #6 PALMETTO FURY, she has been entered twice looking for turf and Cazares has been patiently waiting. This filly was working in company with an older stablemate called Jan's Girl, an allowance type with stakes placings. 

The C. Brown pair is worth a mention as they project to find public attention: #4 GRAYOSH and #8 SEGESTA breezed side by side on 1/13 and overall not much between them, no real knocks but nothing to get excited about especially with SEGESTA projected to be favored. While capable with debut runners, the barn has had limited winners here at GP in the past few seasons. #7 PRISCILLA'S COVE is not one I have seen train, though the barn can pop with a FTS; and did catch #5 RABDAH needed to see more from them. 

#9 OYA THUNDER will find some changes that could prove positive in this third start. As far as class she will find relief from the first two starts, races that produced next out winners. In terms of her efforts, the debut that was sneaky good (public support from 15-1 ML) and second start in traffic unable to compete behind 1-2 open length pacesetting chalk winner, Lucy's Cookie. In addition to the change in class, she will find added ground and based on the STRETCH? visuals should handle that change. I. Ortiz will take over as P. Lopez the rider last month shifts to #4 DREAMY one that has been running the same figures to OYA THUNDER without much improvement at a similar MCL condition. Those same factors are in play for #6 SPANISH GIRL assigned the morning line favorite role and both project to be shorter than OYA THUNDER here. 

#1 LEADING was GREEN though tipped their hand they have some run and should move forward off the initial experience. In addition, they will find an extra furlong and while the others must prove themselves with that change, this one will run all day (ROUTER/MARATHON) and should not be impacted with a surface switch.