Handicapper Tips & Picks

Kick off the day with a solid sprint field as there appears to be a decent amount of pace in the race. If it is contested upfront, 1-MAHONEY ROAD looks to get the perfect setup. He comes off three solid efforts at Oaklawn, including his last where he ran on well from the rail draw. Rosin comes in ready to run as I expect a big weekend from this barn. 6-ALIBI IKE has tactical speed as he gets his second shot at this level. He had a rough start in his last and never recovered. With clear sailing in here he may be worth a look at a price. 5-GIMME THE CANDY is well spotted off a nice maiden score in his last. He made the top in that spot and picked up the pace after a slow opening quarter, holding sway for the victory. If he tries to go early in here, he may find some company on the front end.

There's not much speed in here as likely favorite 5-WEST ISLAND looks to be very tough in this spot. He chased a very fast pace in his last and ran on well for place. I expect he can make the lead in here and not have to work too hard to clear. 7-SOVIET STANDARD looks to rate the closest to the pace as his best shot to win will likely come with a stalking trip. He improved in his second start of the meet and could try to reel in West Island late. 2-CHARLIE LIGHTNING makes his second start off the claim as he comes in from Tampa for today's race. He did break his maiden on the front end at Gulfstream last fall but it appears there are others in here more likely to show better gate speed.

The Jose Rodriguez barn has been having an excellent meet as he sends 6-ROCKET HOTSHOT out today. This is a good spot as he faced similar in his last and was given a perfect trip by Giles in that race. With the speed of Blurt and Midnight Blue Note in here, he should be able to track the leaders early and run on late. 1-MIDNIGHT BLUE NOTE made the top last out and never looked back, posting a solid figure for that performance. He has had success on all surfaces and looks to be a factor once again, but this time likely at a shorter price.

A really competitive bunch in here as the key to the race will be if Faithful Ruler tries to go with Richiesonaroll early. If those two hook up, 2-SHACKLEFORD STRONG should get the perfect setup once again as he looks to repeat the performance from his last start. He tracked the leaders early in that spot and battled the length of the lane, holding on for the win. The same could happen again. 4-CORTESE was running on late in that same race as he came up a bit short at the wire. The barn has been having a fine meet and the potential for a more contested early pace could work in his favor. 3-RICHIESONAROLL was a good winner in his last as he was able to stalk the pace and rally to the win. This bunch is tougher today but you cannot discount his fine recent form.

This is a fun race as I'm glad we are seeing horses go the 1 1/16 miles. There's not a ton of pace in here which could help the chances of 1-PALHACO to try to clear from the inside and control things on the front end. He ran a much improved race in his last and this is a barn that has heated up in recent weeks. 5-IZEONDEC will need that pace to chase as he figures to sit back early and make one run in the lane. He rallied late for place in his last too but is another the runs for a barn that is having a good meet. 4-HAWAIIAN HIDE AWAY was a good maiden winner in his first start of the meet and ran a respectable race last out. He has enough speed to contend early and looks to have enough stamina to hang around late.

Fingers crossed this is our first turf race of the season with the hopes we remain on the grass. A full field that is quite competitive should have its share of early pace.  Giving the nod to 8-MIDTERM as he has worked well toward his second start of the meet and ran a decent race first out. The move to turf could benefit his chances as a wide closing move may be a winning move. 10-RAVIN'S TOWN looks to be the horse to beat off his two races to open his career. He battled in his last behind a solid winner and held well through the wire. Expect him to be on the gas from the start in here. 7-KING OF THE PALACE has the most experience of any in here and has held his own on the grass. He handled a course that had some give to it two back and if this one stays on, he will likely get very similar conditions.

Let's shoot for some prices in the last as there isn't a ton of pace in this race. Thinking 9-HURTS SO BAD could be quick enough to the front as he showed speed in his last before giving way late. I don't expect he will be pushed along as much early on today as he may be able to catch a breather and run on late. 8-PINBALLER is the other with some speed in here as he chased in a tough race last out. His best races seem to come from just off the early pace as he could look to sit off the flank of Hurts So Bad in this spot. 3-VIOLENT GIGI doesn't look that great on paper, but those races at Oaklawn were much tougher than what you find in here. He comes off a bit of a layoff into this spot but races for a barn that has had a tremendous start to the year.