Handicapper Tips & Picks

Morning line favorite, #8 MO SMOKING fits as an individual in that role, especially running back to the 1/25 figures, a number that does standout and might see them come back to earth (prior form) here. In addition, today's race shape could present a further hurdle and a scenario that could upgrade #1 STAR'S DREAM and #6 I DON'T KNOW EITHER. 

#5 DOESN'THURTTOFLIRT pulled off the upset in her first turf attempt last month as the only 3yo in the field with returning, Graham aboard. She will wheel right back from a TROUBLE trip two weeks ago and finds considerable class relief from that event to move up here. #6 GUEST OF HONOR also comes back form a more subtle trip last month where she was very fractious in the GATE and might have lost her race before it started. 

#4 EL ORIENTE is not an easy horse to ride and finding class relief here with the experience of J. Loveberry back aboard could be an asset to pick up the first stateside win. The pace scenario could be exactly what #9 BEEALEA is looking for and one that can pop with a big race. He is taking a step up in class for this second start off the layoff, though the turf sprint last month looked nothing more than a PREP. 

#7 MISS RIVER RAT has been trying to get back to the turf all season long including a scratch under similar class, surface and distance on 1/25 with the surface switch. She had a legit EX - EXCUSE and BTL coming off the layoff on 12/10 and impacted by a TROUBLE_S and WIDE trip last month, both at the shorter sprint distance. #11 SPARTAN QUEEN could also sneak in under the radar and also upgraded with a return to the turf. She was impacted by the WEATHER conditions and TACTIC- on 1/25, a race with the MTO runners finishing 1-2. She will also find a softer race par today and that could assist on class. Rider and blinker changes could benefit #4 SAKE one that has perhaps been consistent to a fault running her race though coming up short on the win/ITM. 

In terms of value, #9 HAY STACK is light in that role as the morning line favorite and would prefer #5 NOW YUS CAN LEAVE with a similar runstyle and upgrade in her second start this season. 

#2 CUSTOM CADILLAC will trade maturity, class and speed for recency returning off the layoff. They recorded some of the stronger figures over this course sprinting last year in MSW company and  seems intent coming back and right away drop looking for the win. #4 BACK BAYOU drops to the MCL level for the first time this season and back from some subtle trips. The EX - EXCUSE was given off the layoff in December, a day they were bet down to the race favorite off a 8-1 ML. They expected to return on shorter rest and was compromised by the TACTIC- making a WIDE RUSH into a DUEL/FTQ after a rough start. Overall they much improve especially in against older, though should be a time where they at the least offer value to play. 

#3 CREATIVE QUALITY has created some of her own issues at the gate, breaking SLOG on debut and TROUBLE_S RUSH in the 12/29 event. That has played a role in the outcome and class being a massive factor as well. Her GGF debut was sneaky good (B-) overcoming some TROUBLE with a late MOVE and that race par being slightly higher than today's race to suggest she can compete at this level. 

#7 ANKYRAH is upgraded from the 1/12 common race with the added ground and second start under claiming conditions. She has figures on par, current form in this second start of the cycle should be higher than #1 NORTH EASY STAR and #3 DOLLY MAY, logical types in their own right returning here . 

Some drift from the 6-1 ML could be projected with #5 LAHAINA FLAVOR given the complexion of the field and his recent running lines. The value compensation is required with their deep closing runstyle, though as an individual fits in this race. He is finding the right class relief from the recent higher level allowance vents and going back to November turned in a BTL effort in traffic. The rider change is also notable paired with class and Gallagher is still looking for the first win on the year though has been sending out live runners, 63% ITM. 

Longshot #4 PLEDGULATIONS is worth a stab coming back for this second start of the season and key change shortening up to the ONE_TURN distance. 

#9 IOYA AGAIN was upgraded from the races last year at Hawthorne and from the X_WIDE trip closing out 2023 on the FG turf. He finds the right level where he can compete and more crucial a race shape that can set up his late run. 

#9 IOYA AGAIN was upgraded from the races last year at Hawthorne and from the X_WIDE trip closing out 2023 on the FG turf. He finds the right level where he can compete and more crucial a race shape that can set up his late run.