Handicapper Tips & Picks

#7 MEAN JAKEY wheels back after coming up short as the favorite racing in the rain two weeks ago and in a subtle second start of the form cycle. He will look for improvement and back to the 12/30 race, the type of effort required to compete with this group. His early speed should be effective in today’s race and even an edge over some others with a similar runstyle - #8 CITY OF CLOUDS also part of that front running group and upgraded on their cut return cutting back to a sprint where they were more effective earlier this season, though short of a “winning” effort and might be one to include underneath.

#1 FOREVER COOL finds a lateral change in race par coming back from the higher level event last out and first off the claim. The drop appears to have intent with this positive move for the connections and similar picking up Bejarano. #6 INDULGE has some back number and efforts from his CA days that fit on par as he makes a local debut. Class wise today’s event can be seen as a step up from the FG races, though in this third start of the cycle for live connections could also be seen as a move of confidence shifting to this circuit and higher purse. 

#6 PEPPERONIKID comes into this race with improving form in this third start off the layoff and for this meet. He has back numbers to support another move forward and upgraded from the effort racing X_FLOW last month and showed more visually than the running line and finishing positive suggests. #1 PARTYINTHESTREETS also wheels right back from that 2/17 common race and given a similar flow upgraded as well as upgraded with the move off the rail and keying off a BTL effort back on 1/28. He will be coupled with #1A MADMARTIGAN one that comes into this race on the lighter side overall though could improve as he makes his second start off the layoff as a 4yo and step forward off the sophomore figures.

#4 BRAHMS IMAGE has legit early speed and should be on display in this group right from the jump. He finds a change in post for the third start this season moving inside from the two prior outside posts. He will also find a rider change as Zimmerman takes over as Bowen returns to #9 COLONEL BARTON coming back off the two month break and with the addition of blinkers, an equipment change that was not as effective last season, though their current form fits with this group. 

#2 SWEET NELLIE finds significant class relief returning for her second start of the meet and looking to regain top form required to compete. She has back numbers and competitive efforts here last season, races recorded under similar race par today. Her ability to show early speed is preferred over #1 SHELL SHOCK returning to this circuit also taking the class drop as she lacks early speed sprinting and requires price compensation with the off the pace runstyle, though was competitive last out on the turf.

#12 TAKING CHARGE DESI coming into this event with current form and tactical speed to work a trip in today’s race and find position from the outside post. A similar trip and outcome could be projected for #9 FUNTIMEGIRL, one that is a bit of a gamble as he is required to return to top form and has just that select races in her career she is required to run back to in order to compete.

#7 CHAPARRITA could be overlooked returning from the 6^th place finish last month. She is nothing special in this group, though holds current form and form under similar conditions this season that could get a share as they key value should she be dismissed from the public. Similar could follow #11 NAVIGATIONALBEACON one that finds a rider change and class change back to the level where she was more competitive in the 1/5 common race. 

#2 DEVIL VISION takes the class drop again today though looks to be the right move for this one and to place him where he can compete. He can even take another step forward with recency in this second start off the layoff, local experience and from the TROUBLE_S that had him further off the pace compromised earlier this month. #8 MYSTERY MO is also upgraded off his form this season and drop from that 2/2 common race. Going back to last season he followed a similar race-to-race pattern picking up the win in the third start off the layoff.

Asmussen returns with a capable entry: #1 WARTIME HERO and #1A BEAVER HAT capable in this spot. Some upside follows BEAVER HAT taking a subtle class drop and coming back from the TROUBLE trip last month.

A pair of runners wheel back from last weekend: #7 CHAPEL BARN remains a longer shot though with his early speed has a scenario where he could be effective and even hold a pace advantage as something to consider at longer odds. His form is right in line with #6 KHOZY MY BOY fresh off a win and likely to get attention here with that “1” sitting right on top and for the connections. 

#10 IDALOU comes back fresh for her sophomore debut and with a change in class as well as Lasix to suggest intent. The drop appeared the right move 12/31 as visually she appeared overmatched from the first two MSW races and can be upgraded compromised as she stumbled (TROUBLE_S) coming out of the gate and made up ground from off the pace.

#12 CATALINA SUNRISE will make her debut here and could present intent for the connections. She was picked up back in November at the sale for $35k and the placement is reasonable as she shows up here for $30. She has just the two local works though foundation with the longer drills and picks up a solid first out rider in W. De La Cruz.

#11 MISS ESCAPADE returns with form this season to the right level for her abilities. While she does not hold any strong edge over the other experienced types, her early speed presents some upside and even a contrast to some of the other rivals in this field and perhaps that gives her the slight edge over #7 ART QUEEN though there is not much between the two and not too far ahead of #9 MIESHA. 

#9 PREACHER’S KID stretches out with foundation from the races this season in this third start. He earned a follow from the debut visuals, given an excuse on the day with the trip though showed run through adversity. He improved against a solid field three weeks ago and should continue to hold his form and compete right back today.

#5 GOLDEN DIVERSION steps up to take on older though has shown run in spots this season where another move forward can be projected. Going back to December he had a TROUBLE trip though visuals that suggested he would benefit from added ground, the distance change that will be in play today. He will also pick up Torres for the first time this season, a change that could signal intent.

#3 OUR HEAVENLY GIFT does not hold any strong edge in this field, though has recency, experience around two turns and one of the older horses with progression in this third start off the layoff.

Sophomore #12 SATURDAY STARTER has the benefit of the two turn experience and coming back from a competitive effort two weeks ago. With that day he was flow aided from off the pace and expects to be a much shorter number coming back off this afternoon. #13 LUCKY IS MY NAME also wheels back from that event and one that showed more run that it may suggest on paper and one to mention should he draw in and less obvious than fellow AE #14 MO MOVES.

#4 OUTLAW RUN is a longshot in this race though another that could benefit from the added ground and should be sitting on an improved effort as he makes his third start back this season. He has the recency edge over #7 CAPITAL CAUSE and #8 BUBBY BOY coming back off layoffs for their belated second start. 

#1 MIDNIGHT TAXES is unknown with the distance change though to his credit brings in form and class that fits on par as well as recency and early speed, something that should have him on the lead right out of the gate from the rail. #11 STUCK N SNOW bookends the field and another that has form and figures that stack up on par though making that distance change. He can be upgraded from the subtle trips this season and overall form that has remained consistent. Those two carry more foundation than #7 TWENTY TO PARK one that was impressive (B+) breaking his maiden on debut though will be tested against, older, winners and the distance change – factors to consider in terms of value, however capable.

#8 IMPLICATOR was entered under similar conditions unable to draw in on 12/17 and returns in this spot for his first start of the season and could present intent for the connections. #3 WHERE’S RANDY also scheduled to run on 12/17 and was a late scratch as the favorite nearing post time. Some intent could be in play as they return to the route distance for this second start of the season. #10 READY SHOES turned in a competitive effort in that12/17 event, though did catch a softer group and lower race par, in part to those scratches. With that said, he finds the right move returning to statebred company and the route distance, changes from those January events.

#10 BEN FRANKLIN has established form and figures that present an edge over many of his experienced rivals in this race. He has the benefit of local form coming back from the place finish chasing his stablemate winner, Southern Sunset. One of those experienced rivals #5 MOUNT CRAIG is tougher to trust especially on the win end given his overall record. To his credit he has recorded some of the higher figures in this field around two turns and has the benefit of local experience – one that requires the right number to play on top though can run his race and must be included in exotics.

First time starter #6 EDDIE LEA is interesting as he was scheduled to debut under similar conditions back on 1/27 and a Trainer scratch that day, perhaps the Sloppy track conditions as reasoning. He worked two days later and has a pair of works this month and Juarez, the rider named last out remains aboard today. EDDIE LEA is projected to be longer odds than fellow first time starting rival #9 QUALITY WEST for Brad Cox making his belated debut.

Value was noted as a knock for #11 OLIVIER as he made his debut last month being a sibling to Flightline. Overall he did not run a “bad” race and with some subtle TROUBLE that could benefit him on the experience front and coming back for this second start with reasonable timing and the added ground.  

#8 AIN’T LIFE GRAND is cross entered in the Razorback (G3) on Saturday and given a look in both spots though a stronger contender in this allowance with his runstyle in today’s race shape. The early pace should be honest with confirmed front runner #6 BRIGADIER GENERAL leading the pack though should be kept honest with #3 PRESIDENTIAL and #5 PAT’S PROPERTY in the field.

#1 INJUNTION has recorded some of his stronger efforts at the two turn distance and could hold some intent for the connections shipping in as they have been training steadily at the FG. In terms of runstyle, he also holds some tactical speed though not a “need the lead” type and could save ground to stalk and pounce under regular and familiar rider, Bejarano.

#2 GREAT ESCAPE could also present intent as the connections making his seasonal debut a return to Oaklawn where he has recorded some of his more competitive efforts over this course and distance with Torres in the saddle. Isolating those allowance races, his form and figures sit right in line with #4 SILVER PROSPECTOR and could be the higher odds of the two this afternoon. Though SILVER will be upgraded in the selections with a scratch.

McPeek will send out a pair in the finale: #2 TEN DAYS LATER is looking for some racing luck making his fourth appearance and his overall efforts have remained consistent and competitive. While he has just the one show finish this season, that race was with a similar draw to today, a shift from the two other starts with the outside post. #9 INTERLOCK EMPIRE comes into this race off the layoff and improvement from the sophomore season is required to compete against today’s group of older and established rivals.

#4 HEROIC MOVE also returns to make his 4yo debut, though did show progress late in the sophomore season and recording figures on par. He also holds a recency edge coming back for his second start this season and upside from the 12/29 effort given hurdle and ground loss from the outside post they were unable to overcome on the day. #10 NEXT REVOLT also makes his second start of the meet and projects to return to his front running ways, something he was unable to do earlier this month with a poor start. While that presents an upgrade, overall class is another question all together back at this higher allowance condition.