Handicapper Tips & Picks

P 3 This Magic Moment 5 Definingthe Moment 1 P L Rinchenia

T 5 Osceola 4 Passarino 3 Hasty Bid

P 8 Fast Louie 7 Brudon 6 Bold Spirit

P 8 Twin B Tipster 7 Jm Betonsix 6 Gimma A Corona

P 10 Angostura Hanover 9 Gias Surreal 8 Western Wish

P 2 Ms Quick Sand 6 Glenboro 8 Ethel

T 1 Cadillac 2 Talismano 3 Zip Me Up

P 7 Cheesy Smile 1 Mist Amber 3 Powder Play

P 10 Betterwithglasses 8 Sorcha Seelster 7 Distant Lover

T 8 R Royal Port 9 Mister Magic 10 Epic Dreamer

P 10 Sweet Loving 2 Littlebearcat 6 Zebs Breaking Dawn

#3 BEACHGRASS is a near miss from not being able to race at this condition from the starter allowance last month. She could move up naturally with the drop, current form and those changes allow for her to show more tactical speed in this field. #6 IT’SFIFTYSHADETIME falls into that same near miss camp coming back from the claiming event earlier this month, though today’s par is a slight ride though does hold form and a better draw today.

#7 UNDECODED returns with the apprentice rider and should be looking to use her early speed. She was unable to do so last month with TROUBLE_S and WIDE trip and should have the edge over #8 SASSY SAGEY to her outside one that might be looking for a similar type of “steal” front end trip.

#5 FLOWERSFORSHANTELL also has some tactical speed and on her best day fits in with this field. She turned in a decent effort on 3/28 and a return to that race has her right back in the mix.

Conditional allowance that #1 IZEONPOINT sneaks into with their win back on 12/26 not in the 12/7 cut off for eligibility based on claiming price. Trip wise they require the right run from off the pace and the contention could be honest though does not appear to be a complete “meltdown” scenario though perhaps that win rider with Quinonez back aboard will assist on timing and stick a little closer with the return to the two turn distance. 

#5 VINCENZINO raced twice above condition before the race at this level three weeks ago and will be given an upgrade from that WIDE trip and placed at the right level where they can compete and a favorable runstyle for today’s race shape.

#9 LIFE ON THE NILE has held his form and some tough battles in the place finishes doing all the work to stay on as the BOS to get caught late. Their early speed could present that same edge though again required to hold their form at this distance. That alone keeps them in the mix and similar consistency is tough to dismiss #4 CONTRABANDISTA. Their form this season makes them likely to finishing ITM and could get the job done and with a better draw returning under similar conditions with Torres taking over from the 4/5 race.

#7 DYNAMIC SUN wheels right back in this second start off the layoff and without question can improve off that effort as they chased WIDE and in hand/NO_PUSH not asked for their best on the day. A new top effort is required though this is the time to take a swing as they should be dismissed off the recent runline and timing could suggest intent here. They present more upside coming back off that race than the recent maiden winners #1 CHADRON and #6 CAPTIVE AUDIENCE runners likely to get attention from their connections and off their recent outcome.

#2 ESSENTIAL BUSINESS finds hidden class relief off her races this season contested at a much higher race par than today. Her form has held and back at the same level from the place finish last out when wheeling back on one week rest and returns with preferred timing here.

McKnight will send out a capable par in this race giving the edge to #4 VELIKIY over #5 WINYAH BAY finding the class drop and lower claiming level today for the first time this season. In terms of class par there is not much of a change from the 3/15 event, though VELIKIY did not have an ideal trip under those poor WEATHER conditions that can upgrade her here with a rider change and from the 42-day freshening since in this third start of the season.

Tough to assess how #3 MY MAYBELENNE will take to this circuit and class rise though after a dominant effort last out at WRD she is deserving off that test. The connections have had success here this meet and often with Vasquez, the rider assigned today aboard.

#1 VOW can also be kept in the mix, especially if dismissed on the board. She looked pointed to the 4/6 race first off the claim and 41-day freshening earlier this month though compromised by the trip and outcome behind the open length 2-5 chalk winner, Summer of Mischief and off the claim comes right back in this spot where she fits. 

#6 IN JUST MY HEELS finds the class drop to regain some confidence since her maiden days. The connections were assertive to take on graded stakes company where she held her form though not quite to the level of her competition. She should find this softer spot the place to rebound and her early speed effective in this field.

#4 UNDER THE PALMS was entered in a stakes event last week and taking this spot instead, a less contentious event and similar par from her maiden win last month. She has shown progression race to race and the foundation and tactical speed to come right back here and compete taking on winners.

#5 FLOATING BEAUTY wheels back under similar N1 conditions though a much lower par than the event two weeks ago. She showed run after a poor start and in a race shape with minimal change in running order. She will stretch back out to a route distance and in a better placement here for the two turns. 

#9 ENIGMATIC takes the massive class drop projects to be favored once again and back under similar class conditions to get the maiden win. The distance change does come into play though should be able to show her early speed despite the cutback in this field and should have no real excuses today.

#4 SHE’S TABOO has run competitive numbers and consistency overall to find the right group here to clear the maiden condition. She is one of the 4yo runners in this field and appears intent off the slight 47-day freshening and again in light with Barbosa back aboard.

A lot of money came in on #8 BREATHTAKING FOLLY on debut a few weeks ago bet down strongly from the 20-1 ML. The connections wheel right back in two weeks and while the par is slightly higher today, some upside can be projected as she did have a poor start and was forced to RUSH WIDE into a solid pace from the outside post to try and recover before losing ground. She is coupled with #5 TIZ A STRATEGY one that does not hold any overall edge though has plenty of foundation and subtle class change that could have her in for a minor share once again.

#3 BENT HALO had buried form and sneaky trips giving her a look three weeks ago and ran a huge race in defeat. She could be required to improve slightly to get the win here and at the least hold her form coming right back though recorded a similar number keying off the debut effort, a race with returning rider Torres in the saddle. 

The connections have held out as long as possible before taking the class drop for #11 BEN DIESEL. The first time in for a tag and one that has recorded some of the higher figures in this field make them a contender and also one that is likely to be popular at the claim box. Something that has been seen for #2 VALE claimed once again as they wheel right back for this race and while a slight rise in claiming tag price, the par is similar and while not a “win machine” should hold their form and they runstyle could have them right back in the mix for a minor share.

#3 SOUND DOCTRINE also has held his form and consistency at the N2 level. This will be their second start this meet and while it would be preferable to see them back quicker than the two months since the most recent start, they did run a big race off the bench and might have required a little more recover time.

#10 CONGRATS ON FIFTY dropped in for the claiming tag returning from the layoff last month, a reasonable move on this circuit. They will find a lateral change in class and much step up though appears the right timing for that race in this second start off the layoff as a lightly race 4yo. 

#7 WANTS N NEEDS ran a solid race and recorded figure in his debut last month. They will wheel back under similar conditions, though a sifter race par and appears to have come out of the race well as they return in less than 30-days with a work since to keep up their conditioning.

#5 HANDSOME HERB also wheels back from that 3/30 common race and was giving up recency off the layoff for a seasonal debut. There was some projected upside from the juvenile season, though did not show much improvement on the day though could be given some excuse as this “need the lead” type broke SLOG and did not appear comfortable behind horses. Santana picks up the call here and should be assertive.

Torres will shift to #2 BRIO one that is given another change in MSW company on this circuit with the distance change and still must prove himself all around though does have the live connections and 3/2 TP effort recorded a number that is right on par with many in this field.

#4 MISCHIEVOUS M was heavily backed making his debut in stakes company bet down as the favorite from a 15-1 ML in a full field. While he came up short in that favorite role, he ran a big race as he had to rush to the lead dueled with place those two together for that award though stalked and unable to hold off the winner. Today’s conditions could be taken as a step up and much improve though clearly has some ability. 

#4 TRIDENT HIT finds closer to a lateral change in class given the competitive nature of this conditional claiming event. He has held his form and in the right spot to pick up the first win this season. The race shape should suit his runstyle to work a trip and timing could also be positive as he has had the two layoff lines between his starts this season and now back in less than 30-days.

#10 ICARUS is another that has had some subtle trips and less than ideal timing of his races this season and looks well placed in this second start off the claim. He was caught X_BIAS making a sneaky CLOSE on 2/2 and stuck inside/SAVED TRAFFIC last month at the mile distance and one that should appreciate the slightest addition of ground.

#11 CATDADDY has been without a win since May of 2021 though that win over this course, distance and in claiming company. Since that race he had been protected up until the event last month. The SLOG had him compromised and further with the Very Slow early and late pace and should find a different dynamic here. The early pace should be honest and contentious with at least 6 of the 11 in this field horses that prefer to race on or near the lead. 

Perhaps #2 EFFORTLESSLYELGANT was working through something returning from the layoff in November with the front wraps added and did not see a removal after that race in the two starts this season. She returns today from another break though did not post a work for the majority of February and has since worked steadily toward this race and keeping Santana her regular rider. A return to top form has her a prime contender and main threat on the lead.

#4 HYPERSPORT also brings in some tactical speed and conditioning as she makes her second start off the layoff. The front wraps were added for her return last month and should benefit from that start and a positive as she remains protected here and with Arrieta the rider aboard last out and had been up for her first three starts including the maiden win.

#5 OUR KEEPSAKE has been consistent this season, something that could hold in this field though has come up short on the win end in allowance company and without much excuse. She has het to take a big step forward from a figure standpoint though holding her form and with Lukas sending out live runners she should continue to make her presence felt in this compact field. 

#2 HERITAGE PARK finds a hidden change in class showing up in this spot, a lower par than the statebred races he has been running in this season. That could present a natural upgrade and further with his early speed that could present a pace advantage on the front end.

#11 ALLO ENRY also brings early speed and was given a longshot upgrade two weeks ago. He could find more attention off the finishing position and can  be kept in the mix here though finds an additional hurdle from the outside post. #1 HOPPIN JOHN had a big look where last month though could attention from the finishing position on the day and must improve as today’s par is slightly higher, something to consider for the entire group coming back from the 3/29 event.

#10 YOU VEE CEE was upgraded with the drop and return to statebred company and comes back today with a subtle change moving off the rail for the first time this season.  He turned in a competitive race back in March and perhaps some excuse two weeks ago as he was restless in the GATE pushed through, did not run off though did have to be checked out and reloaded.

#5 TWENTY TO PARK will take on older today though also has some early speed and after running a big figure on debut and struggling to get back to that top number they will run for the tag here. That move can come with reservation, though as a AR-bred with the statebred season likely over for them the drop could be calculated with that timing.