Handicapper Tips & Picks

Competitive bunch starts the day in a spot that doesn't have a ton of pace. Trainer Gerald Butler has gotten off to a fine start this meet as he has 3-TONYS MORNING LINE in here. This one was claimed for $10,000 last fall and runs for the increased claiming tag, making him eligible for the Illinois bonus. He has been working well toward the return and may sneak off at a decent price. 6-MON AMI FUZZIE steps up after being claimed for $5,000 out of a race at Turfway. He has tactical speed and has gotten three works over the track since being claimed. Let's see if he rates closer early and runs on late. 5-HUNTERS GHOST is another that could push the pace as he also steps up off the claim. He posted a solid 2023 campaign and was a winner in his first out this year.

Two turn maidens as there's no standout. Will try to beat the likely favorite in Sharpenyourfaith with 2-HAWAIIAN HIDE AWAY. Trainer Terry Young won a tough MSW race on Easter as the barn looks to get off to a good start. This one looks to be improving as the added distance in his last seemed to help. Let's see if he can rate close early and run on late. 5-BROADWAY RED comes in from Kentucky as he may be a bit overlooked in here. His last two were much improved as the return of blinkers and addition of Lasix seems to have helped greatly. 7-SOLOMON VANDY was claimed from his last as he chased from the outside in that spot. His race at this distance in New Orleans three starts back was solid as he gets the benefit of a work over the track as well.

I'm curious as to how much pace there will be in this spot as some sprinters stretch out to go two turns. The one work scares me but I'm going to give 4-ICE AXE a shot as the running style suits and he has run well around two turns throughout his career. Lezcano returns to ride as he has gotten along nicely with this runner. 2-ELECTRIC CHARGE is well overdue for the maiden breaker with nine top three finishes without a victory. He is going to close from further back in here and likely needed his last start. Expect to see some improvement as he drops in class for a barn that is off to a good start on the meet. 3-EUCLID AVENUE comes in from Florida as he is working well toward the return. He's one that I'm curious to see how he handles the stretch in distance. There's potential on the drop that he tries to clear and never look back but I'm afraid he may find some company today.

One of the more impressive wins early in this meet has come from 6-GOOD APPLE. In his start on opening day he broke sharply and quickly cleared. He was never asked in the lane and cruised to an easy score while appearing to have a ton left in the tank. There is a bit of early pace in here but I think he's good enough to clear again if that's the plan. 1-CLYDE'S GREEN GO rallied late in his race opening weekend to finish a solid second. That was just his second start in 2 1/2 years and now he comes back quickly which is a good sign. The inside draw could benefit his chances as well as he was hung quite wide last out. 8-WILDWOOD RUBEN is one with speed as he picks up Santiago today. He's been away since last summer but is working consistently toward his return. I expect he gets a stalking trip today and runs on late.

The class drop may be all that is needed for 1-RUTH OF JUDAH as she comes off an improved effort in New Orleans last out. She has some ability, as shown from her turf sprint last summer against better and comes in with a very fast work into this spot. Don't be surprised if she tries to make the top and never looks back. 7-GOT NO MORE TEARS makes her second career start as she comes off a layoff into here. She has worked consistently toward the return and I expect we see some early foot from her. She's worth a look at a price. 5-MAGGIE E has tactical speed as she gets an improved post off her last start. Centeno returning in the saddle is a plus as I like that she remains at the same level today.

A really solid route field as I'm hopeful there's enough pace to chase. Looked to 8-PROTONIC POWER as he has been solid at Hawthorne for a barn that is going to have a very good meet. After a pair of stakes tries he dropped to a similar level in his last and ran a solid race. He will likely race from the second flight but figures to rally in the long Hawthorne stretch. 3-REGULAR GUY has enough speed to rate close early and contend throughout. He chased while facing better in his last and didn't give way until late. That was just the second start off a long layoff as he races back into form. 4-ARDANWOOD is the one with speed as he may look to clear in here. He put together a solid string of races last summer at Delaware and held his own in his last two starts in New Orleans. If he can shake loose from You're In Corey and Readthecliffnotes he may be able to steal this race.

The two turns is the only reason why I tried to beat 3-CAMP DADDY in here as he looks to be the clear choice on figures alone. Although he's typically turf, 8-SIMPLE LOGIC has a main track start at Hawthorne last summer that would make him a threat. The biggest concern with him is that he struggles to run by that final horse last but there is very little pace in here which could lead to him being the one that is chased in the lane. With the race on dirt, there's the potential he's a decent price as well. 11-ITWASTHISBIG draws outside for Arnett but I wouldn't be surprised if he looks to clear off some horses early from the outside draw. He had improved in his last three starts and although he may be a notch below some of these in class, he can't be dismissed for the barn that's off to a hot start. 3-CAMP DADDY was a good claim for $20 last fall as he stepped up off that race with a win and pair of runner-up performances. The question here is the distance but if he handles the two turns he should be very tough.

Wide open race closes the card with what looks to be a decent amount of early pace that is bunched on the inside. With the in mind, I'll look to the closer, 5-RUSSIAN TO WIN as he takes the class plunge in here. The Tracy barn if off to a fine start on the meet and despite the layoff this one has worked very well toward the return. The class drop and layoff leave some questions as well as the poor performances before the layoff, but the consistent, solid work pattern cannot be overlooked. 2-WINGING WAYS will be one to show speed as he has raced with mixed results. He always seems to take money at the windows though as he comes into here off a pair of works. 4-PERFECT WAGER could be a sleeper if the pace does battle upfront. He is winless at the distance but has found the board in 5 of 7 starts going 5 1/2 as he should pick up the pieces late.