Handicapper Tips & Picks

#1 BIG SWEDE finds the class drop in this second start this season and looking for some upside off the trip and to show more early speed here. He was off a step slow and made a mild RUSH before losing ground. #3 SPOTTED BULL makes a return to Oaklawn and also in for the tag today. He is upgraded from the off track and X_BIAS last out at FG factors that gave him a look before he was scratched last weekend under similar conditions.

In that 3/7 event,  he was part of a coupled entry with his partner Bayron staying in and winning the race, the race #4 GOOD HEART wheels back from and looking for a rebound. #5 HAPPYMAC comes off a win and off the claim will look to pair up wins for Mason. He turned in a solid figure in restricted claiming company though going back in his career and keying off his prior Oaklawn form, form that gave him a look two weeks ago, he has been able to hold form and pair figures that still sit on par here. Santana will take over today and also has been up in the past keying off those early season races.

#6 CRÈME DE LA CHROME and #7 TIGER DAD take the drop returning from the 3/2 common race and both a fit at this level off their current form. Both bring in early speed their better races when on or near the lead and are draw outside both GOOD HEART and HAPPYMAC where trip and a top effort is required to win – that contentious par assisted #2 DRIFTER with the trip from off the pace with the upset win at the level in January and the place finish last month as well. 

#6 DIFFERENTLY is one of three 4yo fillies in the field and the recency edge of the returning #8 BRIEF NOTE and #10 BONNIE LASS. Along with recency, she moves off the inside and has been chasing close to contentious and fast early paces this season. That could present an edge over #1 OCEAN BIRD on the rail, one that has a favorable LONE trip two weeks ago, holding place but coming up short on the win end; and #11 TEXAS HOTTIE another potential pacesetter taking the class drop in claiming tag though more of a lateral move to shift to take on older for this second start and drawn outside in this full field.

#7 BOOGIE ON has shown run in each of their three starts this season and some of that might have caught the eye of Broberg picking this one up from the maiden race last month. While they have shown run and progress, there has been a pattern of SLOG in each start and perhaps something they have been able to work out and some intent with Torres aboard.  #9 PREDICTING also has had some gate issues though has shown progress this season and returning a TROUBLE trip on 3/1. 

:#2 GUCCI BOY has held his form and figures at the MCL level and that along with the connections could have this one favored again or at least used heavily in the multis. While capable he has come up short under similar conditions and could open the door on the win end.

#1 THANKS FRANK had a look earlier this month on the class drop and appeared the right place on this circuit. They could present some further upside wheeling right back under similar conditions with the blinker addition and upgraded making a WIDE MOVE against the profile on the day. #8 WILSON BAY will make his belated debut and while Robertson has struggled at times this season, the barn is capable with first time starters and often later in the season. Bejarano picking up the mount is interesting and this one with plenty of local works should be race ready.

The class drop should benefit #4 MUSICAL MAESTRO though overall has not shown much progression and lacking an edge on that front and similar carries to #9 HAPPY TEARS one that was entered in a $20k MCL event on 3/3 unable to draw in off the AE – class wise is not much of a drop for their sophomore stablemate #5 ANOTHERBOTTLE taking on older. #3 TRABR’S CREED also takes the drop and ha been part of some fast early pace races this season and of that trio should be the higher on the board and on the creativity/value side is more appealing. 

#7 WORK ORDER has had some subtle trips this season and some less subtle trips with the TROUBLE back in February. The return to the sprint distance and lateral class change should be placed with friends to compete and further intent by Mason. #4 ISOCLINE has been pointed to this meet and this level patiently waiting after they were unable to draw into similar back on 3/2. Bealmear was assigned that day and sticks abroad with the weight break for a live Blair barn. #3 ASYMMETRIC figures logical with progressive form this season and back under similar conditions with a better draw from the race two weeks ago. From that event, #6 CRAVENSWORTH turned in a BTL effort making up a lot of ground over a course that was tougher to make that run earlier this month. With that said, he is still a deep closer and one that needs a lot in his favor even when running a big race with that off the pace style to win – though remains in the mix. The Broberg entry starting with #1 MO TAP returning from the 3/2 common race and the more established and “faster” of the pair with #1A LAST OUTLAW making his first start here off the claim. Both have held their form at this level and in form, something of a question mark for #9 QUICK BUCK with the recent layoff lines and gaps in works with just the one move, the bullet on 2/22 from the gate three weeks ago. 

Morse will bring back #5 TAXED in this spot and as the lone graded stakes winner in the field she has the class on her side and certainly capable. She is likely to be favored and again while capable, she is doing something new she has yet to race at the 6f distance throughout her career and coming back in this spot off the bench, the connections have to be looking at the stakes races later this year. Her stablemate #7 VERYLITTLECENTS has the recency, is a sprinter and moving forward into this race as far as intent she could be the more intended for this race of the two and returning to a top effort has her right back on par.

#4 HYPERSPORT will trade recency for local experience as she makes a belated return to the races. She returns to Oaklawn where she has had success, recorded some of her figure figures and also a return to Arrieta, a rider that was aboard starting out her career and the maiden win in the second start over this course and distance back in 2021.

#1 BACKYARD MONEY will be tested to hold her form as he has been running big races this season and wheeling back in a week, something not out of character for Lukas. The rail draw and holding her form this season could present a pace advantage here. #2 AMERICAN ROCKETTE is preferred of the group returning from a win, however, is another that could get a lot of attention here with the top connections, prior stakes placement and shipping in off a win. While she could hold upside and would be no shock, she is stepping up on this circuit, giving up local experience and must work a trip with her runstyle. 

#12 VIOLENT RIVER has recorded some of the higher and consistent figures in this field making him the horse to beat. He does have the outside post to overcome and offset some of that edge, though still logical and even some intent with the rider change as Arrieta takes over.

Gallardo shifts to #11 NATIVE MOONSHINE, one that has upside from the X_WIDE trip in this second start of the layoff and should hold fitness for this sprint though still has some overall questions though this would be the time for his best. His stablemate #6 GUST OF WIND is not out of this race by any means. His effort from last sprint at Hawthorne stack up on par and while he is not the best gate horse he has some finishing ability.

#8 MO ANGELL might also be in the right time and place for his best. This will be his second start off the layoff, should hold fitness wheeling back in 13-days and with an added published work on 3/8 just days after the 3/3 return and also picking up a rider change to Bowen these two teaming up to pull off the 53-1 upset with Afleet Sky last month. A move forward has him right in line with #4 DANCIN ROCKET and  #10 CHROME CANDY two runners that fit at this level and kept in the mix though require price compensation on the win end.  

Robertson returns with the pair from the Dixie Bell stakes. The winner #6 XTREME DIVA has held her form and with the right trip was able to score the win. Gallardo is being replaced today, which is interesting with Vazquez taking over. Tough to say what the result would have been if #1 XTREME SMOKE SHOW had a clear trip and at the subtle trip that at the least might have cost a better position. The two shared a common race going back to the Myrtlewood last October with SMOKE SHOW turning in the slightly better effort on the day.

Like the allowance earlier on the card, Morse also will send out a pair in this race. #2 BLUE SQUALL wheels back as part of the group from the Dixie Bell stakes and the place finish with a perfect trip on the day and must show a little more class to win, though should hold her form and another honest effort can be expected. Stablemate #5 ASTERNIA has been working her way back around to top form and her early speed can be dangerous in this race and flattered with the place finish behind XTREME DIVA last month.  

This is a tough race with many sophomores stepping up off recent maiden wins this season. That includes #4 NO COINCIDENCES one with improving figures and foundation with the third start a pattern that carries to #1 HAULIN ICE one that comes back on shorter three week rest to the 42-day freshening for NO COINCIDENCES. #6 STHENIC had the experience edge of the two on 12/31 and some foundation though a longer break from the 76-day layoff.

#7 APPEALING ADDIE also makes a belated second start and from a dominant debut win back on opening day. She showed ability and also a positive PRERACE+ appearance something to look for on the track today.

#10 MS CARROLL COUNTY is one of the older fillies in this field and could present some upside in the second start back off the layoff. She is returning from the 2/17 N3 common event with #8 SASSY LASS the two both racing above condition that day. MS CARROLL COUNTY could step up based on her form from last year and despite finishing off the board in the 2024 starts SASSY LASS has held her form with overall form in line with #5 LASSIE MY GIRL and should continue to do so here. Number wise their numbers and class present an edge to #3 DOUGHTY stepping up from the claiming level in her return and similar for #11 THE GIRL IN RED one that moves back to the statebred condition since her debut win last season, though softer number wise and would have to show up with more than she has thus far in this race. 

#8 ROCKET CAN makes his seasonal debut and first start since the KY Derby (G1) returning to Oaklawn for Mott. While he does have the layoff and the attention exiting the big race he fits here. His figures were consistent and class present in each start and arguably his best race in the AR Derby (G1) with the WIDE trip at the peak of his form cycle and stronger than rival #6 HARLOCAP one stepping up off the recent win and favorable trip.

#10 HEROIC MOVE also with stakes experience,  local experience and recency coming into this race. He figured as a legitimate favorite last month and ran to with a dominant effort a good foundation and confidence builder for both horse and rider here.

#9 ALEJANDRO the stablemate to HARLOCAP has held his form this season and has consistent form at this N2 level where perhaps the win case is a longshot one getting a share is reasonable especially at longer odds. 

#11 SPARKLY makes a belated second start and showed run after missing the break (VSLOG) from the rail. The time off was not necessarily the plan as she was entered again on 2/24 and unable to draw in off the AE. Torres assigned on debut might have been a tell she has some run picking up the mount for Fires, a barn he does not often ride for is back for this second start and named for the AE race as well.

#3 MY JULIA also makes a belated return for her second start from that 1/27 common race with a WIDE trip from the outside over poor track conditions. Bejarano takes over with Esquivel sticking with #7 Q’s YOUR MAMA. She also caught an off track first out a pattern this season and to her credit earned a solid figure as looks to improve off that show result in this second start. Her debut effort gives her the slight edge of that 2/3 group returning here and with No Coincidences the winner from that event racing earlier on the card to follow.

First time starter #2 DEVILISH GAL could be live here on debut with a steady series of local works a solid half mile drill hidden in the mix back on 2/7. She had some foundation and quick times last June at Hawthorne and could have some run.

Going over the lightly raced sophomore group with potential upside it is still tough to dismiss the two older, established runners #14 ALOHA BABY (AE) and #6 RUNNINTHESTREETS. These two fit logically with the age edge and highest recorded figures in the field.  

WHITMORE (G3):

#2 TEJANO TWIST won this race last year and will be tested to repeat and earn it on his own without his complementary stablemates in the field to keep the pace honest. His body of works speaks for itself - he is a legitimate racehorse though still has a pattern of breaking SLOG giving the field a head start before making his serious late run.

The pace of this race should be honest with part of the early speed from the two S. Asmussen runners #6 JAXON TRAVELER does his better running on the lead he showed that in the Zia sprint closing out 2023 and rebounding last month at Sunland. His form gave him a look in the King Cotton stakes and buried sophomore local stakes form though was not as effective trying to rate inside on the off track. #3 RYVIT comes into this race off a front end score and has a lot of success on the lead though found himself off the pace in the Steel Valley Sprint by default and the race dynamic assisted with that trip. He projects to be forward here and tested looking for that first graded stakes win against older and to turn the tables on TEJANO TWIST.

#1 OSBOURNE scratched from a reasonable spot last Sunday to run in this spot instead. Given the complexion of this field he moves up naturally and on overall form in this second start of the cycle and positive distance change back to the sprint. #4 SURVEILLANCE also takes the rise in class and given his current form the test is earned though this is a big step up and was not as effective here last season in the Count Fleet (G3) though still earned a solid figure. The local form could be an edge for #5 NINJA WARRIOR one that requires every edge possible with the rise in class following a BLANKET finish win that might have been aided by the track profile.

#7 COWAN is the wild card first off the Jacobson claim and ambitious placement here making the trip to run in this graded stakes event. As a juvenile he finished second in the BC Juv turf Sprint (G2) at the 5.5f distance at the time in the Asmussen barn so there is some class there and some figures at times that stack up with the others. He also has a pair of local starts including a place finish in the Smarty Jones stakes.