Handicapper Tips & Picks

P 3 Brookdale J Mac 4 Charlies Wish 8 Bringitonhometome

P 3 Ethel 2 Lady Get Lucky 7 Ellas Reason

P 6 Style For A mile 1 So Much More 2 Tells On A Roll

T 6 Grateful 2 Kevin Anthony 8 Donatover

P 2 Hout Bay 4 Max Patrick 6 Solid Nine Hanover

P 3 Jm Betonsix 9 Alabama Hannah 5 Glenboro

T 3 Master Grand 7 Er Norman 1 Cadillac

P 2 Beth 4 Mikki Sixx 6 Allstar Finest

T 2 Memo 5 Lion On Landon 9 Tymal Tarot

P 1 Splash Of Pink 2 Gimmie A Corona 9 Twin B Tipster

LAFAYETTE STAKES:

#3 DONCHO has presented his class even before he made his debut and has continued to show his class on race day. He is taking the step up to stakes company in an "old school" clear-the-conditions manner. He dominated (B+) both his debut MSW field and allowance horses and it is just not the number or the lengths on paper, it is a different level of racehorse. 

TRANSYLVANIA STAKES (G3): 

#12 CUGINO fits today's race shape and an improving type. He will exit the common race, the Colonel Liam stakes last month at GP, a race that could be KEY+ with next out Animal Kingdom stakes winner, Okiro and Triple Espresso turning in a BTL (B) 4th in the JR Stakes (G3) on 3/23. #13 ROYAL MAJESTY turned in a BTL effort and at included here off that trip. 

#9 DEPICTION might not have caught as strong an overall group in the Dania Beach though from the visuals and show finish can IMPROVE and did turned in a competitive B- effort with TRAFFIC in the Bourbon (G2) over this course last year. The winner of that race #10 CAN GROUP can improve from the Lecomte (G3) overall and while the connections come back to the turf (waited and scratched from the Black Gold stakes taken off the turf 3/2 FG) where he's proven, he is worth another try on dirt. 

Appleby runners often get attention and for good reason worth noting #8 MUSICAL ACT in the field. He will be tested to step up coming out of Dubai behind his dominant stablemate winner, Legend of Time.

ASHLAND STAKES (G1):

Morning line favorite #7 IMPEL is an underlay in that role and very vulnerable in that role if it holds on race day. She benefit from a mid field on debut and PERFECT trip in allowance company last month at Oaklawn Park pairing up 89 figures in those races and must improve as the rest of this field have run faster and already tested in stakes company. 

#5 J J’s JOY is upgraded in this spot with the change in class, a lower par than the first two starts this season. From a pace standpoint, she could be a further threat with her early speed. She is given a flow up ground from the first two starts, especially the debut and returning to the right MCL level for her abilities and Hernandez in the saddle.

#4 READY FOR WINE can also be given a flow upgrade though from the opposite end as the slow start in her debut two weeks ago had her compromised in running though to her credit showed run making a WIDE MOVE and today’s race par being softer and the conditioning could step forward in this second career start.

#6 KANTIRUN finds a lateral change in class though fits on current form. She has been consistent all season long and that projects to hold here. She has some early speed and finishing ability that suits today’s race shape. She is coming out of solid early paced races and should have that edge over others in this field. #1 PETIT JEAN as she wheels right back for this event she was upgraded off her debut and as projected took a step forward two weeks ago showing early speed and seems to be doing fine enough that they come right back for this event. 

#1 MANFREDI is likely to get a lot of attention here with the significant class drop and for the connections. The change should move them up naturally though one that still must show up with a top effort and while the class change is the right move, the shorter distance has not been as projected for them and finds the cutback here. The distance change is also in play for #5 SITKA taking the class drop and has not shown much progression though to be fair their debut could give them a subtle flow upgrade.

#2 TWIRLING TROILLET is upgraded in this spot with the key change in class. He has shown run this season though overmatched in MSW company back on opening week, a competitive race under similar MCL conditions and just a bit overmatched two weeks ago.

#4 INTERRUPTER could present upside as he makes his sophomore debut and picking up Lasix and a barn change on return. He has a steady series of works and a live rider where if he is to run to the public expectation of the first two starts as the favorite, perhaps this is the time. 

#3 RISK IT has struggled to validate his debut effort last summer at SAR a front end effort aided by the track profile. The added ground could have been an excuse and those races in stakes company with some subtle trips. This should be the time if ever to get back on track as he remains sprinting has the local experience and steady works as he returns under allowance conditions.

His stablemate #4 CRAFTED also must step up as he lands on this circuit and second start against winners and unlike RISK IT will race for the $100k tag. Their early speed on debut was a long trip and unlikely to find that scenario here with #5 EXCITABLE BOY and #6 THIS IS USCAR to his outside. EXCITABLE BOY is preferred of the recent maiden winners given his foundation, timing and the 2/24 race had some quality to it.

#1 HENRO will wheel back from the 3/1 common race with RISK IT and looking to improve in his second start against winner. Like RISK IT that day HENRO was caught WIDE and that could have played against the pair. As they return today a rider change will be made as Hernandez takes over, they will also race for the tag.

#2 MARKET STREET must continue to improve in order to compete here though perhaps this is the time for him as he returns off the two month freshening with the distance and class changes. His numbers improved slightly at the first part of the meet and perhaps required the change in class, distance and even some time off to recover. Lukas sent out some live runners last weekend and the 3/25 “bullet” could be a further positive. 

#4 ROYAL MEGHAN is likely to be favored and the horse to beat off her current form and bringing in some of the consistently higher figures in this field. She has been protected since the claim and her win back on opening week and held her form though short on the win end and with this meet now in the final weeks the drop makes sense looking for that win.

Esquivel will take over today on #1 MIA BABY and couple be a positive sign as the two paired up for a place finish last summer. MIA BABY has held her form this season, turned in a game effort back on 1/26 and moves back inside,  a subtle change in post for today’s race. A rider change is also in play for #5 IZEONPOINT with Quinonez taking back over. The two paired up for the win back in December and could be intent returning here. They will move off the rail for today’s race and perhaps a positive for her as she was SLOG in her two most recent starts though to her credit put in a strong CLOSE in the 5^th place result last month. 

#6 HARD TO COME BY could catch the right group and trip in this field. He is one that  requires those factors in his favor along with a top effort, though to his credit he has improved with each start this season and the added ground – the effort last month was competitive (B-) given the poor WEATHER conditions and WIDE trip.

The race shape could assist HARD TO COME BY with his trip given the complexion of this field and many runners with early speed. That includes #7 LIFE ON THE NILE coming back under similar conditions and a game effort as he stayed on as the BOST through a solid early and late pace (Fast/Very Fast) and WIDE throughout.

The winning trip is tough to figure out for #8 VINCENZINO though he is interesting in here as he makes the class change and the two most recent starts where he was racing above condition at the N3 level and perhaps they were looking for a softer group in for the lower tag though both of those events held a higher par than today.

The entrymate shipping in from the FG season could have intent here, fit on their best day and worth following where Esquivel lands as he is named on both. #1 SERGEANT RECKLESS has upside from his races prior to the layoff and adding the blinkers for this race. #1A LIL BRO COOP comes into this race with current form and for that fits at this level with a top effort along with local experience keying off his races here at this higher MCL level and maiden win over this course and two turn distance last March. 

#1 POLTERER has been on a run this season and again the connections have found a spot where he fits. With that said, he does not stand out as strongly in this field and could find things change slightly with the rail draw and with pressure to his outside, a difference in trip from the two recent starts and wins. #6 EFFICIENCY could present value with solid local and current form. On class he comes back under similar conditions from a traffic trip last month and all season has run competitively holding his form and figures.

#5 NEPAL UP has upside in the second start of the season and back under similar conditions. He turned in a competitive race behind his stablemate winner on 2/17 and his prior efforts here and under starter allowance conditions fit. They did run him in the Trail’s End stakes last year and this could be a set up for that marathon.

Intention for the Trails’ End could carry to the two uncoupled Shirer runners in #2 RACKATAPTAP and #3 ZAP MOTION should keep the pace honest and capable in their own right. RACKATAPTAP showed a ton of run in the two starts before the win last month and in form should hold here today and first off the claim to run protected. ZAP MOTION was on the right part of the track last month and will be tested off that effort though at the longer odds tough to knock too much.

#4 HUGE BIGLY has held his form this season and competitive on numbers. However, he benefit from the trip and race flow in his two starts coming into this race and will return on much Shorter rest for this spot, something to consider on value and should also be considered for #7 W W CRAZY coming off their recent win. 

This is a competitive event and full field that should create an honest early pace. #2 CANADIAN PHAROAH returns with Juarez the rider back on 3/8 under similar conditions and would look for a similar trip; his effort on the day was in line with #4 LEADER OF MEN and could land the higher of the two on the board in this race. That pair could look for first run on #1 HEIR TO GREATNESS one that has benefit from a contentious early pace in the past including his win last month. The rider change is less of a concern with first call Torres riding elsewhere today and with a very live mount in a stakes event.

#5 SEASIDE BOY could land a similar trip and on with back numbers and figures that fit at this level. He must improve though this could be the time and place as he makes his third start of the season. The allowance off the bench in January appeared a prep and kept protected in February was at a higher level and longer distance, though compromised on rider TACTIC- unable to get into the race kept wide and off the pace (a common race with Nepal Up in Race 6) and there was intent to run at this level and claiming tag a trainer scratch last month.

#9 MAN ON THE MOON should be in the right spot to compete and upside returning from the TROUBLE trip and less than ideal handling receiving a rider change for this event. He is very logical as an individual though in this race shape requires the right trip especially at this distance one that is a touch further than his ideal. 

#8 SHE CALLED turned in a strong effort on debut staying on as the BOS on a rare Oaklawn day that favored runners from off the pace. She has a big look off that effort with the prime concern coming back on shorter rest though to her recent she appears to have come out of the race well breezing a half mile a week ago.  

#2 QUEEN’S LEGACY has the benefit of experience and will show up on this circuit from a productive debut event back in December at TP. She has worked steadily as of late and over this course picking up a live rider for this second start and for a live Van Berg barn this season.

#7 ALMOSTGONE ROCKET will give up recency as she makes a late season debut. That has not been the plan as she was entered to debut last September at CD unable to draw in off the AE and a stewards scratch from that 3/17 SHE CALLED MSW event. #10 ANDREA DIANE will also make her debut here and has a steady string of works coming into this race.

#7 ECHO AGAIN could find himself in the right time and place as he makes his second start this season and off the long layoff. He moves off the rail and something this one has had in just limited starts and moving outside of horses should assist especially remaining at this sprint distance.

#6 LARK’S MISCHIEF caught a competitive group in his return last month. He should benefit from that start and coming back on less than 30-days in spot where they can remain protected and still race at a higher level and purse. His early speed should be on display and could be effective moving off the inside and looking for that jump on #9 EASY ACTION. One that returns under similar conditions and has held his form this season, though come up short on the win end without excuse to look at others in here for that top spot. #8 SPEND BENJAMINS also has come up short at this level, though at the double digit projected odds can be left in the underneath mix. 

#12 NGALA moved up on the drop and dominated the maiden field last month. A repeat effort has her a major player though did have a PERFECT trip and some REGRESS could be projected. To her credit, she has been given the 33-days to recoup, though at the shorter number if she fails to fire, the finale becomes wide open.

#1 KITARA makes her third start back this season and looking for the improved effort here. She returned in open company back on 2/16 with a TRAFFIC trip a TRAFFIC and TROUBLE trip that followed her last month and overall visuals can IMPROVE off the race and outcome.

#11 SMARTY’S ANGEL was compromised with the poor start last out and put in a late run after. She has held her form this season and better when she can show early speed, something they could be looking for here with E. Esquivel aboard. They were aboard #8 LITTLE BURRITO last out as she made her belated return to the races from the lengthy 707-day layoff. Her maiden win in December 2021 was second off and with a change to an apprentice rider, those angles in play here. LITTLE BURRITO shares a runstyle and trip to the two AE runners #13 GOLD STRATEGY and #14 COURAGEOUS CAPPEN should be left on the radar should they draw in and could follow a pattern this season of live AE runners finding eligibility on race day.

#6 BE MY HUCKLEBERRY returns from open company two weeks ago and back under statebred conditions. She has had some subtle trips this season and if there is a time for her to move up this would be it and with the rider change as well.