Handicapper Tips & Picks

P 4 Table For Four 8 So Dancinwithstarz 1 Tough To Handel

P 5 Dunkin 1 Elliot Moose 3 Bernie

P 6 Buckeye Boy 3 He Can Fly 1 The Big Picture

P 5 Shad 8 Da Magic Me Me 4 Pistol Pearl

P 4 Gussy’s Trump Card 3 Deputy Seelster 6 Twin B Frenchtoast

P 7 Fame And Power 2 Delray Dude 4 Ranger Alert

P 6 Southwind Cocktail 1 Fear The Electra 5 Sis

T 8 Winning Shadow 4 Winning Ticket 3 Trix And Stones

P 7 Grace Of Art 3 Master Miki 9 Dashintothebeach

P 8 Just Bookem 1 Hughie Junior 9 Victor Hic

P 3 American Fling 6 Thornbush Hanover 1 Speedy Dominic

P 7 Major Fernco 5 Blue Spanx 3 Lying In Cash

P 3 Proud Sign 9 Tap Tap Tap 5 Coop A Loop

T 2 Shamrock 5 Fancy Expressions 6 Fashion Chocolate

P 9 Shared By Me 4 Zeus Is Rockin 5 Lord Anthony

There is a group returning from a higher N2 claiming event last month, #1 BYE BYE LIAM was making his first start for the claiming tag that day and appears at the right level to compete. He could also find the right inside stalking trip as the pace could be more contentious than it might appear on paper. #5 WALDRIP has not shown much improvement though has been consistent both on figures and from the gate with the pattern of gate issues, SLOG in each start. #7 HEY JOE JOE had TROUBLE_S and made a WIDE MOVE the DROP is probably the right move for him as he does not present much upside based on his races to date and off the visuals.

As far as the early pace: #6 NOTORIOUS SIXOHTWO wheels back from a LONE trip maiden win last week and #4 GO OTTO GO the other Asmussen runner should be forward as well, one that has been looking for the level to compete and should be assertive here with his early speed and Santana aboard. Both #2 SUPER RENZO and #3 LEMON MERINGUE have also shown early speed. Most of their races were run as juveniles and some upside could be projected especially in the case of SUPER RENZO. 

A wide open event presenting options: #3 MISS ANALYZED is upgraded on the quick turnaround stretching back out in distance. The sprint distance and timing with limited published works was a concern on 2/9 though now makes sense using that race as a “workout” and coming back today where she can be expected to compete. #2 CATTY CRUISE is unproven at the route distance though based on her physicality could handle the added ground. Numbers and overall efforts to this point have been average though has shown some progression and this could be the time for another step forward and with a better draw than last out. The added ground could also benefit #8 BLUE EMBER making further changes to run for a claiming tag against open company.

As far as the runners with experience at the distance, #7 BUMP IN THE NIGHT was compromised with a WIDE trip two weeks ago and from off the pace chasing front running winner, Gi Gis Map. She was competitive albeit at the one turn mile back in November at CD when taking late money. She could present more upside than #5 CRY IF I WANT TO one that has been common without excuse finishing in the deeper minors and without much progression.

#9 FASHION IDOL turned in a BTL effort and just missed back in July at BTP. Class wise the circuit must be accounted for, though could be dismissed for the connections and off the recent running line and finishing position. #4 MONEY IS TIME also wheels back from that event two weeks ago and stretching out for a second start and had a rough start (SLOG, TROUBLE_S) and was under minimal ask from off the pace while her more experienced stablemate finished second. 

#2 LAMASCO was competitive at the claiming conditions and appears intent for the connections shipping in and dropping back down to where she can compete. Her form has held at TP given the placement, trips with outside posts and should hold fitness wheeling right back for this second start of the cycle.

#6 MUSICMANSANDY also wheels back for a second start off the layoff and heading into that 1/12 common event looked to need the race off the layoff with just limited published works. She returns with that race under her belt, local experience, and flow upgrade as part of a Very Fast early pace. That dynamic assisted place finisher #1 LOVE OF MY HEART race flow, one that should be shorter of the group returning here. LOVE OF MY HEART fits here though does not hold any strong edge especially on the win end.  #5 SHE’S BULLETPROOF also returning from that common race with some adversity from start to finish and made an early move into that solid pace. 

#7 SALSALITA VERDE has consistently recorded the higher figures of any in this field and while her pattern of layoff lines create reservations, she still must be considered the horse to beat. #4 CASHMERE BABY takes a subtle step up in class shifting to take on open company for the first time. She showed progression and a move forward in her second start last season and off the January layoff visuals, she can IMPROVE off the effort. Some further intent could be in play as she did come up short as the favorite and picks up a rider change to Torres. The distance change for #6 RED SUNSHINE is an upgrade as she physically presents as a ROUTER and while she is softer on numbers is one to keep in the mix at a big price.

#9 SCANDALOUS will make a second start and massive changes for this race and a live barn being one of those that is tough to ignore. With that said, she has some challenges drawn outside in a full field once again and class wise is perhaps a lateral move given the drop and circuit switch though still is in against some older rivals.  

#2 DOMINA is another new face and one that will stretch back out in distance in this first start of the season and off the claim. Going back to the 12/22 event, she can up short as the lukewarm 4-1 favorite and the race has been productive though is still taking a slight rise in class and finished behind SALSALITA VERSE back in the 11/8 common race.  

#2 RED DEVIL will give up some recency in this first start of 2024 trading for local experience over this course and two turn distance. This will be his second start back off a long layoff and upgraded from the November event losing his footing out of the gate and unable to get involved in the race shape with minimal change in running order.  

#6 CHELSEA DAGGER is cross-entered in a 6f $12.5k N3 on Friday and given a look in either spot though could end up landing here instead. There was some intent last Saturday to stretch out around two turns in a conditional $10k claiming event and scratched likely with the races this week preferred. #5 FIGHTERTOWN also scratched from that 2/10 claiming event for this spot. He returns with a significant change in class and rider upgrade for the third start this season. He was caught WIDE against the profile in December and had a similar WIDE stalking trip before losing ground three weeks ago both races run at a much higher race par.

#3 JIM AND JIM must be mentioned has been consistent for Diodoro and moving up since the claim. While he returns under similar N3 claiming conditions the circuit switch is still a step up and from the recent series of a minor finishes those races have him just below the par that is needed to win here and tough to consider as a contender especially at what could be a shorter number though can stick around in the mix. 

#4 MR. SCATTER makes some changes for this third start shifting to the dirt and racing for the higher MCL tag. The added ground was projected for him to move forward and the form from the 1/12 race has held up as a further positive. Also notable with Leparoux taking the call as he had been aboard #1 TOP OF THE STREET this season for McPeek and does not shift to the other McPeek #9 TIS CHARMING either.  TIS CHARMING finished second back in October to his stablemate FOOTPRINT, one that has been has since held his form in allowance/stakes company, though the rest of the field has been average.

Chris Hartman will send out a pair: #8 BRILLIANT MAN also raced last out at Turfway for his first start this season and returns to the MCL level as well as the dirt. He holds form around two turn including the 11/19 CD effort, a big effort behind the pacesetting winner, though must step up here as today’s placement can be taken as a step up in class. Also fresh out of Turfway is jockey Conception picking up the mount on #2 J J’S RANGER a colt with local form and recency. He will find the class change the DROP that appeared needed based on the prior visuals.

#3 SILVER TONE will make a belated second start and was compromised with a SLOG and the rider TACTIC- taking hold and keeping the horse in hand (NO_PUSH) from off the pace in a race shape that had minimal change in running order.  #6 REVALTION also has some adversity that day though likely more intended for the connections and was a little cold on the board from 3-1 ML. 

#2 NORTHERN DIAMOND fits at this condition and in the second start back off the layoff. She caught the WEATHER impacted drying out muddy track impacting her start and following stuck in TRAFFIC taking KICKBACK. She has shown more tactical speed could make the lead if asked or track #7 EQUILOVE and #9 BIDOFHONEY as those two are confirmed front running types.

#6 ROYAL MEGHAN could also look for a similar stalking run and to try and rate closer than the two January trips and could hold a little more class than others exiting claiming events into this race including #3 NEVER SWAY making her local debut and likely to get attention with the change and for Diodoro. #4 ESSENTIAL BUSINESS exits the claiming event three weeks ago, the one race that makes her eligible for this condition. He had some hurdles and lacked an edge in the 1/26 group though showed more run than her line suggests including a sneaky strong late MOVE. 

#11 TWIN MISCHIEF brings upside with the return today. It took her four races before the maiden win though ran competitively, recorded consistent figures and event on both occasions when she had to race fresh, the debut and belated second start. She has the maiden win around two turns and likely some excuse with the layoff that followed the July race she returns from here.

#7 LADY JAE has back numbers that fit on par and fitness along with upside from a less than ideal trip three weeks ago. The rail draw played a role in a tight inside trip and with the change in post and plenty of early pace signed on she should find a more comfortable journey today to run her race. #9 BOW DRAW likely to be shorter of the two from that common race and benefit from racing outside, overall she has not shown much figure improvement and sits lighter than others. #3 MALIBU SMART also must pick it up in that department in order to win though holds form and at the right distance where she can remain around for a share, at the least.

As far as distance, #8 WILDWOOD BYE is unprofiled with just one race at the route distance finishing third at Hawthorne with a WIDE trip. She has numbers that fit, form over this course and even competitive races under similar allowance conditions to support her on class and the price compensation should be there as well. 

#9 DALTON’S RUTROW will find class relief despite returning under similar MCL conditions for the third start back. Going back to last season he was upgraded from the EX – EXCUSE on debut and did improve in his second start. He came back off the layoff on 12/30 with a BTL effort then caught at salty group with many class droppers playing a role in the outcome along with the WIDE trip. A similar upgrade can be given to #3 BOURBON ON FIRE returning from that common race and subtle trip from the rail, though one given his overall record, still requires price compensation, though is at the right level to win and has recorded some of the higher figures in the field.

#1 CADILLAC COWBOY could also be upgraded as he moves from the outside to the inside today and should have his best chance with his early speed in a race that does not have many front runners. That pace scenario also could upgrade #12 SECRET HONOR with perhaps the board separating the pair.   

#2 PREPAREDNESS did not live up to his name two weeks ago as he was very restless in the gate and SLOG once the doors opened. With a subtle excuse on that day, a move forward could be projected and off his debut number opening week, a common race with more established rivals, #6 EIGHT STRAIGHT and #11 SIR PEEL.