Handicapper Tips & Picks

#1 CHEYENNE MOON physically presented as a one that required more ground off the debut visuals and some class concerns when she stretched out in the following two starts at CD. She returns today with that buried form and class drop as she races today for the higher MCL tag.

McPeek will send out a pair and “on paper” there is not much between the two. #7 WHEN I LOOK AT YOU has a light edge over #6 THORNY with the local experience and timing as she makes some positive changes in class and distance coming back from the 2/16 race in this second start off the layoff.

#10 TWO PRACTICAL is a bit of a reach, though should be a big number in this group. She will make a belated second start and going back to her debut last September at CBY she turned in a BTL effort as the only one in the field to make up ground. She has some hurdles in this spot, though one that could have intent as she has been training here and overall upside from that one juvenile starts.

#4 CHURCH SERVICE and #8 SPIRITUAL LADY are left out of the top selections as preference to others for the top spot, though on form and consistency can remain true to form get into the minor mix. 

#8 MEMES is coming off a maiden win, though has plenty of foundation to support they can hold their form in this reasonable spot taking on winners for the first time. #7 SMACKZILLA should present some value and overlooked off their two races this season. In each race, they have shown improvement, and those two claiming events were contested at a much higher race par than today and comes into this race with a hidden class edge. That same class edge carries to #11 ASYMMETRIC though likely more obvious with that change and for the connections. His form coming into this race also progressive as they were compromised against the WEATHER back in January along with excessive ground loss they had a look off that race returning on 2/9, though compromised by rider TACTIC- and is notable with the rider change in play today (along with the blinkers) to suggest some further intent. 

#8 MOHAWK RIVER takes the belated DROP, a move that has been projected for this individual this season. He has shown minimal progression something required for the allowance maiden group, though current form and figures fit right in at this level. Taking the class drop today gives him the edge over some others that have already found the drop this season and should continue to hold form for the minor share though prefer some newer faces for the top spot.

#5 THANKS FRANK makes a belated return and some upside from the two ELP starts with subtle trips last summer.  He has been on the grounds training steadily since December and the class drop is less of a concern at this point in the season. #2 NORTHERN CHILL also visually required the DROP they will find today from the first two MSW starts this season. He showed some early speed on debut making a RUSH into a Fast early pace and showing up in January might have lost his race, fractious in the GATE prior to the start and even from the draw outside unable to overcome the post with a WIDE trip. 

#4 ETHEREAL ROAD has shown on his best day, like when he dominated the Sir Barton stakes as a sophomore, that he is the horse to beat. He has held his form since returning from the long layoff last summer and racing himself back to top form. He caught a tougher group in the January allowance at the 9f distance and upgraded from that WIDE effort as they show up here. #6 SANTOS DUMONT is the lone runner in this field that will race for the $75k tag. He comes into this race with current form and his runstyle should be able to work out a trip with versatility and some tactical speed.

Tough to make a contender case or split #1 WINNEMAC AVENUE and #2 DECISION MAKER as they have held their form this season and should present value over the group returning from wins, also all favorable trips and find the step up in class as a result. 

This might be the most contentious race on the card with many in this field placed where they can compete, in form and just solid racehorses. #5 MAC DADDY TOO fits at this level and comes back with intent as they were entered and scratched form a similar claiming event on 2/23. His form should be overlooked off he recent running lines and finishing positions that have his form dirtied up landing here. #2 COLT FICTION comes in with current form and while Miller has been on the colder side this meet this one has held his own and back with a rider change could present intent. #9 CIRCLE BACK JACK also returns from that 1/28 common race for this second start of the season and for Garcia, a barn that has had success pulling off an upset or two, or three this season. The placement appeared reasonable on this circuit in claiming company with the form, class, and figures from  the CD cycle last spring on par to compete here.

#1 SUMMER IN MALIBU also is placed where he can compete and rebound from the poor start and racing in the rain over declining track conditions last month. He tends to make that dramatic run from off the pace though given the complexion and contention of this field, there is a scenario where the early pace horses many love to show #8 BURNINHUNKOFLOVE, #11 LUV TO WIN and #12 TIGER DAD from the outside to allow SUMMER to make his run. 

#2 SINGING EMMA could be a sneaky one in here. She comes into this race with progressive form and keying off the form cycle from last season she raced herself into shape and with another step forward as shown in the past, she could be sitting on a peak effort and that effort good enough to win here.

#9 PERLIOUS LIFE has legit gate speed and early speed she should be able to show in this race, on this circuit and with the slight addition of ground. #10 BERTIE’S CAUSE is cross entered though a better fit in this spot. While she is taking a step up in class off a PERFECT trip win, her consistency fits with this group and could even suggest further intent should they take this spot and overall confidence coming back on the quick turnaround.

#3 FOREVER HOME has held her form this season and a lateral move in class from the races this season. She has come up short on the win end and needs a lot in her favor for that top spot, though should continue to hold form here.

Despite #3 BOHEMIAN BO listed as the ML favorite, it appears the prime contenders in this event are returning from the 2/9 allowance race and prefer to key off the runners with subtle trips where improvement can be projected. #2 WILLOW CREEK ROAD had a rough TROUBLE_S and made a RUSH into a Fast early pace while wide and given a flow upgrade as he returns here. He has back class and figures from last season to support in this stakes race. That class and upside carries to #8 KING PEANUT another that has been compromised unable to show his best this season. Both of the trips in 2024 had been subtle and going back to clast year was competitive in stakes company and also able to show more tactical speed than this year has allowed.

#4 LOCHMOOR the 2/9 place finisher lacks early speed and requires the right pace and a top effort where he has shown some class weakness at times despite running some of the higher figures in the field. #6 PEACE DOG ran a big race though concern that the effort on the day being taxing/HARD as they wheel back in three weeks. #1 NAVY SEAL could be overlooked of this trio and has continued to hold his form this year, form that is right in line with LOCHMOOR and could get the jump on him in terms of trip. 

Given the connections and exiting the Lecomte (G3) #5 ETHAN ENERGY projects to be favored here. While capable and his figure from the maiden win stacks up on par, there could be some concern as they come back to allowance company rather than continue on the TC path he is nominated for. He is capable here though is not one that brings much interest at the projected shorter odds. His stablemate #3 AWESOME ROAD will also drop from the graded stakes races, though a more reasonable move for this one to regain some confidence coming back this season as a sophomore. While he has under performed since his dominant debut win, he has not been completely outrun and presents upside where this spot could be just what he requires going forward.

#10 TIME FOR TRUTH will pick this spot to stretch out in rather than the Rebel (G2) they scratched out of last weekend. He had the outside post should they have taken that spot on the day and similar here where his early speed should be on full display right from the jump. #7 GOOGOL JOKE is cross entered on Friday in a contentious sprint, though find him more intriguing here with the added ground as this one should appreciate the stretch out in distance and a prime player in this field. #6 WILLY D’S is one to mention and include underneath as he has form this season and another that projected to and improve with added ground. 

#1 KANTEX will step up to stakes company though moves laterally from the open company allowance last month. She should improve off that race, a race she was likely “given” to maintain conditioning with this spot being the target. Trip is required both from the rail and with her tracking runstyle, though should have some pace and partially due to her front running stablemate, #2 CONNIE K one that could present a pace advantage in this field.

#6 SUMMER SHOES has struggled in her two starts this season, though could be a sign of confidence with the 49-day freshening, the steady series of works and placement here in stakes company. Going back to last year she was right there and arguably better than rival #9 KABOOM BABY getting the better of her in this stakes race last year. With that said, KABOOM BABY has been on her game this year, she has kept her form and off the pair of place finishers is sure to be much shorter of the two today if not even possible favored, she is left off the top three only because that is all the space I’m given to write up horses though mentioning the reasoning here so hopefully you have the volume up.

And on that note: #7 FLY LIKE THE WIND is worth a mention as she comes into this race lighter on figures than many of her main rivals, however one can project a move forward as she comes back today in her second start of this season and much more mature than her early season sophomore figures. 

#1 CHAOS REIGNS makes a lateral move to this circuit and showing up to make a first start of the year looking for that belated maiden win. While he does have the layoff, that is nothing new for this lightly raced six year old, one that has stablished form and numbers that can be projected to hold here and fit on par.

#7 NATORADE debuted at this level course and distance last February and while the running line and 5^th place finish might not look like much “on paper” that was a competitive (B-) effort all things considered. He was compromised with the WEATHER making his second start and the step up in class with the added ground closing out the year in that first start off the claim for Van Berg and one they have had to be very, very patient with since.

#13 KANT CONQUER ME needs the drop they find today; they also need to find one defection in order to draw in though upgraded on that chance and the more obvious #14 CLOUD WITHOUT REIN as well. The change in class is more of a lateral move for #6 PERP WALK showing up here against older and should get support for the connections and what looks like “on paper” a big class drop.

#12 DANCIN ROCKET moves up on their form while tougher to trust as a main player without any class change, he has held his form and form over this course that should be good enough for a share in this field and might just sneak away higher than #9 MY BROTHER MIKE and #10 CHROME CANDY as there is not much between that trio.

#8 LAKESIDE RUNNER is one to get creating with as he has reason to hold his own at this level and there has been intent to race here this season as they were entered and vet scratch under similar conditions back on opening day. 

BATTAGLIA MEMORIAL 

#1 GETTYSBURG ADDRESS comes into this race with a class edge and one that should present value here with the surface switch - something he should handle. He showed ability breaking his maiden on debut and was given a flow upgrade setting a Fast pace in the Street Sense (G3) a tough spot for a second start all things considered. Off that race he turned in a BTL effort in the Smarty Jones earning B OptixGRADE, a "winning" type effort for the level, a $300k stakes with similar par to today's event. 

#14 KATHEEB is sitting deep on the AE and needs racing luck to draw in. He broke his maiden on debut over this course and distance with a  solid front end effort and off that race stepped up to the turf at GP in January given an EX - EXCUSE on the day. He presents upside and one to follow.

As projected on the morning line, #6 EPIC LINE projects to be favored. He had to run hard to win the Leonatus stakes and despite finishing clear he was drifting (NO_LINE) all over the track late. #4 BOLT AT MIDNIGHT could take up the "alternative" role as one with improving figures this season, though could be "peaked" in his cycle and would require running back to a top effort in just three weeks to compete here as prime contender. Value is lacking on #12 ENCINO one that had the race flow in his favor both with the place on debut and a soft early pace with 1/26 maiden win.