Handicapper Tips & Picks

#8 MOUNT CRAIG is a tough horse to trust given the overall record at the same time his consistent form and figures could land this horse in the right time and place to clear this belated hurdle. He has shown tactical speed the ability to finish and has plenty of stamina for the slight addition of ground in this second start off the layoff. #3 CROSSING is one of the other 4yo following a similar pattern and with local experience. As far as class he has some question marks though recency and maturity could overcome in this case. #4 MACKMAN like many with the circuit switch will find the class rise. While he has that test he has the foundation from the lone juvenile start, a race where improvement was expected and after the time off turned in a credible effort in his layoff return last month at the FG and holding his form from that race should translate in this field.

#1 SPEITFUL SAM brings a lot of upside into this race and in the right spot to compete. He follows a forward every other pattern, finds the class drop to place him at the right level and the shorter distance last out with Bejarano aboard. Perhaps the only downside here will be the number as he does project to be shorter today compared to the other races this season.

#10 INVARIABLE also should find the right spot. He has held his form this season and coming back today with a subtle form cycle improvement pattern, a similar pattern going into the 1/26 race when he turned in a strong effort on the day, the type of effort that makes him a contender here. Common rival from back on 2/16, #9 FORSAKEN also fits this race condition and a logical type with current form and tactical speed to work out a trip in this field. He can step up here in his current cycle, some regression could have followed after peaked clearing the N2 condition back in late January and after stepping up to N3 last month with a WIDE trip should move up with today’s field. 

Number wise there is not much between #6 ART QUEEN and #9 PLEASINGLY off their form this season and consistency that fits here once again. Tactically PLEASINGLY has shown more early speed though has lacked finish something of a contrast to ART QUEEN as she has been able to improve position late and picking up rivals. Broberg will take over off the claim and off the claim for a solid John Ortiz barn where it might be tough to make much improvement first out especially off the quick 11-day turnaround.

#7 DANCE MY WAY also falls into that category and does have an old school angle here as the lone mare in the field and back from the 3/1 common race. #5 PETIT JEAN also one of the older runners and a lightly raced type. She did not give herself much chance missing the break (VSLOG) on debut.

Timothy Martin has started to find success as of late and with a pair of first time starters there could be intent. #3 SUGAR COATED was entered back on 2/9 in a $20k MCL, a stewards scratch that day she lands here with a pair of works since. The most recent move could have been in company with #4 READY FOR WINE one that makes her debut with Zimmerman, often a live rider for this outfit. 

Maker could turn up with a pair in this race: #1 SAQEEL appears pointed to this race a return fresh off the 75-day break with the class and barn change for the same owner group. They could also be hopeful for a dry racetrack something that has not been in the cards for them this winter season. #3 CAMP DAVID finds a subtle change in class from the open $50k claiming event last month and overall form and tactical speed to fit today’s race shape. He prefers to race clear on the lead or outside horses, a trip he could find with #2 CATDADDY one with early speed to his inside.

#4 EXPENSIVE CUT should be sitting on a top effort here; he has shown progression with each start racing himself into shape and confidence with the change in finishing position. He comes out of a common race with #5 UNINVITED GUEST back on 1/13 a race that looked to be a prep off the layoff and now the two trade recency returning here and could be the separator for those two. 

#1 LAURA BRANIGAN fits off her current form this season, form she should be able to hold first off the claim and back under similar conditions here. While she has been consistent figures and finishing position she also has been consistently SLOG and should be factored into the price and play here. #8 GREEK HEIRESS also returns from the 2/17 common race and with the barn change. Her former trainer, Broberg sent out the winner Berties Cause in that race and while she does not have to face her here with less intent she still must show up and improve at this level. Diodoro picks up #7 TOFFEE one that will make an aggressive drop off the claim and looking to move up on this circuit. The timing and placement along with the WEATHER appeared less than ideal back 1/27 and coming off a solid effort maiden win and taking on winners that day. She has some early speed and routing though should still be able to find a trip in today’s race shape.

The early speed is likely from the Asmussen runners starting with #3 SUGAR MAMAS CAKERY as that has been the method of her success. She has questions with current form especially with the pattern of layoff lines that has been present throughout her career – something also in play for #6 HARMONICA something she looks to offset with the class drop. Form is less of a question #4 LIL TOWN SIS one that has been consistent this season and should hold her form once again though might just require that to be a enough. 

#3 THANKS FRANK scratched from a higher $50k MCL event last weekend and figures some intent with the connections picking this spot instead. He had a look returning from the layoff and class drop earlier this month. While there might have been some intent with the change, the SLOG had him compromised though still showed run making a WIDE move something that is not easy to see in the running line and finishing position.

The class drop also comes into play for #4 ROCKETEIGHTYEIGHT one that is who he is and the change all around should move him up naturally and returning to the 12/31 effort he makes himself a main player. #8 MIRAGE has paired up two in the money finishes from off the pace this season and with the pattern of SLOG and lacking early speed he should be looking for similar. Race flow did seem to assist in those cases and with the runstyle all around needs a lot in his favor to win, though can get in the mix.

#6 PATRIOT HILLS has shown improvement race to race and finds the distance change after losing ground in the two route races this season. That could be the right change and with tactical speed and stamina along with Torres sticking aboard. The change in class is more of a lateral move for #2 SIR OTTO shifting to MCL company for this second start and must show improvement and not the most confident move to debut late and drop without hesitation.

A competitive group of sophomore fillies many that will face off again here again back from the 12/31 common race: A new face to that group #1 SPIN THE BREEZE could be overlooked off the recent running lines and finishing positions coming into this race. While the two turns might not have been her thing in January, the effort last month was competitive despite finishing off the board. Isolating those sprint races and figures she stacks up in this group and surface returning to the main track as she shifts over to this circuit.

SPIN THE BREEZE also has some hidden early speed something that could change things up in here and put pressure on #3 HUSH IT HONEY one that was dominant as the BOS back on 12/31 though today’s group a step up in class from that event though a better spot in terms of class and shorter distance after the Martha Washington stakes try.

#7 HITTIN MY STRIDE is logical of the Diodoro pair as she returns off the 48-day freshening. She landed in a similar timing with a strong place effort back on 12/31 and caught eventual stakes winners in the 2/2 allowance. Hartman will also send out a pair in this race with #9 READY FOR TROUBLE the more established of the two though giving credit to #5 JANUARY JUBILEE one that has two wins in her three starts. The12/31 common race was not a race she was intended for on the day and drawing a line through that race and picking up the two win figures another figure improvement does not have her far off those other rivals.  

#5 PATTERN BET should be sitting in the right spot and intent with the rider change as Bejarano takes back over. She is looking for a better break something that has been an issue throughout her career and in the two starts this season. The barn returns with #1 SULWE one that shifts back to a sprint, a slight class rise though overall form that fits with this field and like PATTERN BET has some tactical and early speed, something we could see here with the rider change and rail draw. 

#10 RUN FEARLESS might been sneaking into this race under the radar. She comes into this race with progressive form in the third start off the layoff with back numbers and class that fit today’s race. She has some early speed that can be effective in today’s race shape even with the outside post. #8 CHAI TEA also has held her form this season and can project improvement after the X_WIDE trip last month as well as a rider change that could suggest further intent today. #11 HEATED ARUGMENT has been overmatched at this level though at longer odds can be left into the exotic mix.

#6 RED VOLTA finds a hidden class change to run here and should be overlooked off her current form. She has the foundation from the races this season and upside not only with the change in class but subtle change in post off the inside and reuniting with Harr along with second Lasix. #9 RAETASTIC finds a subtle change in class though more obvious distance change first off the claim for Rosin. Going back to the debut on 1/1, a race to key off of with a similar par and visually showing run in spot making an inside MOVE through TRAFFIC.

#1 CATTY CRUISE also finds the distance change returning here. Some further intent could be in play with one that has been pointed to this meet and the connections cutting back adding the blinkers and a rider change looking to mix things up and on her best day she has turned in the r aces on par with others in this field.

#3 TIZ A STRATEGY is one of the older runners in this field and a lateral change in class making the shift to open company. While she needs a lot in her favor she fits this race, has current form and upside off the trips along with a better draw coming back from the outside post earlier this month.