Handicapper Tips & Picks

#6 STAR NATION could find the right trip and form on this circuit. He has held his form from Oaklawn, form that sits in line with rival #4 ONEPARTCULARHARBOR and longer odds of the two. Those two race from off the pace and should have pace to close into with #1 PHILHARMONIC challenging ML favorite #5 BEER WITH ICE early and those two kept honest up front with #2 FREAKY Z and NACHO CHROME in the field. 

#2 N GRAYSON caught the eye on debut with his sneaky good run and CLOSE late with overall visuals to suggest he can IMPROVE off that first start. 

#6 L J'S EMMA turned in a BTL effort making a MOVE through TRAFFIC and getting a SHUFFLE still CLOSE'd late to finish show. Today's race is a slight step up in class (higher par) though should have form and pace to work a trip in this field and fair odds at the 5-1 ML assignment. 

Kenneally could come right back with #1 CANDY CRAZE returning for her second start. She had some hurdles first out on the turf at the route distance in a group of seasoned runners and a little RANK in that event should benefit from the experience and class (even rider) change here. 

#3 MR MARSHALL will make a belated TURF debut as they make their seasonal return. Class wise today's condition is a lateral move from many of the starts last season and drop after closing out 2023 racing above condition, N3 on 12/17. 

Tough to knock any effort to date for #6 MOMUNNYFOR RO and a look back in this spot. She stepped up in her second start with the BTL effort at this level and off the visuals last fall suggest she could move up further on the TURF and even remaining on the Tapeta closed out with a B OptixGRADE.

#7 GO GIFFEN also paired up BTL efforts in her two MOC $40k events last season. Those races last year were recorded in her juvenile season (similar for MOMUNNYFOR RO) to suggest the two can step forward and slight improvement have them right on par with older, seasoned rival #1 GOOD NEWS MONEY. 

#5 WAR EMPIRE caught a productive race (three next out winner) on debut and presents upside with this just second start. They made that debut very late into the meet and did not have a clean (SLOG, TROUBLE_S) break. The strength of that race can be seen with #3 HAPPY QUAD exiting that race (BTL 12/10) to make their return last month, a competitive and improved effort with the place finish.