Handicapper Tips & Picks

#5 SHEZAFUNKYDRUMMER worked a very efficient 9.4 at the March sale and has trained consistently and forwardly since with plenty of conditioning and speed for this race with the top connections needing little introduction and likely recognized on the board.

Rivelli will also send out #1 GOOD GOD one of two IL-bred geldings in this field with live rider in O. Mojica some steady local works with #6 COOLTHING shipping in from FAN.

Visuals will be the separator for #2 LIT MISS HAT TRICK (also trained by H. Lynch) and #3 J Z’S LAST SCHANCE coming into this race with “bullet” works and based on the ML could receive public support first out. 

#6 PEGGY’S WAY comes into this race with current form and has been knocking on the door at this level this season. She could work out the right trip bringing in early speed and while she might not be as quick to the first call as #2 MAGGIE E, she can keep pace and first run on that rival.

Number wise #5 TRIBEST has recorded some of the higher figures in this field and from the same common races with PEGGY’S WAY recorded the same B- OptixGRADES in the process. #4 RESOLUTION also recorded the B- OptixGRADE in the 5/18 common race, her first start on the circuit and while she was upgraded with the changes on the day still requires price compensation with the SLOG pattern.

#1 SWEET SMILA also returns from the 5/18 common race and while upgraded in the analysis on the day she was downgraded in the paddock (PRERACE-) not making quite the impression physically coming off the layoff. That is something to monitor here and can be given an upgrade with a change in appearance. 

The distance change should move up #7 RAVIN’S TOWN one that has shown some run in their three races to date though running out of excuses should the NO_FINISH continue here. #5 MIDTERM could also move up with the foundation and one that had to show more early speed three weeks ago, taken out of his runstyle that day into a duel though should have plenty of fitness from that race returning here.

First time starters, #10 LICENSE TO STEAL and #11 HONORANDPRINCIPLE appear live for their connections, patient connections that have had to enter and scratch on a few occasions waiting for the grass race.

#9 KING OF THE PALACE also waiting for a grass race scratched from the common race with those two back on 5/11 and while they have the form on the grass to go off of, there has not been much figure progression and keying off the race under similar conditions here last August a DROP could be projected.

#1 YOUNG MISCHIEF and #2 LA PERFECT BEE are the two older runners in the main body of the field and given a mention from the 5/4 common race. That race was DELAY with the horses waiting in the paddock and on the track for a long time on KY Derby day and long enough for LA PERFECT BEE to completely washout and lose his race to the point of a late scratch while already on the track. 

This is a tough race as every runner in this field has positives and negatives. That includes ML favorite #5 KENNESAW returning from the layoff that allows them to run protected here. They will give up recency though did win under similar conditions closing out 2023 in August though had to take the drop at the time to find their form to compete. Rivelli claiming that day was notable as KENNESAW started out his career for this barn.

#3 VERRAZANOINTHESKY also found the class relief the right move to move them up last season and at the right level to compete though will give up recency and requires the right trip and top effort at this sprint distance.

#2 D’ARCHER could present intent as they return to make their second start off the layoff and the front wraps added on return created some cause for pause three weeks ago. Santiago looking for their first win on this circuit will be back aboard and as a regular rider with success and showing early speed in prior seasons (keep #1 HURTS SO BAD honest to their inside) suggests intent with that change.

#7 DEMAND RANSOM had a long shot look last out and with the blinkers added took part in the duel, a move that was not quite expected and played a role in the result. A shift to the outside here along with the current form and today’s race shape could work in their favor and offer longer odds than #4 BAREFOOTBOOTLEGGER and #6 UNCAPTURED PULSE all three on similar form and figures coming into this race. 

Tough to knock the race record for #7 BILL’S HONOR and the connections stepping up in class and circuit to run here. His return on 5/4 earned a strong figure and strong effort on the track though some REGRESS could be in play and the concern especially if they are the favorite in this race out to back up that effort with the changes here and even from a pace standpoint.

Block holds representation with the pair in this race: #3 GOOD APPLE will get another shot against open company and upgraded from the 5/12 race starting a new form cycle (36-day) that afternoon and had TROUBLE_S and inside RUSH though to their credit continued to move forward number wise. The progression on numbers came into play for #8 MOONLIGHT ROAD breaking their maiden on 4/14 though had some factors in their favor and find another rider change the eighth rider in as many starts and the blinkers on here as well.

Cohen shifts to #6 SAWYER FOX another taking on open company though will give up recency and trip noted with BILL’S HONOR (and perhaps the two inside runners) in this field should they go out looking for the LONE trip that was successful and B+ dominant breaking their maiden off the bench last August. Class and progression also remains a hurdle for #4 CLYDE’S GREEN GO a consistent 7yo though that might not translate to much upside, upside that is required to win.

#5 CHAMPAGNE MIKE could present upside in just this second start. He will face a rise in class taking on winners and while he did not catch the strongest maiden field on debut, he showed up with a strong B+ effort to suggest he can take the class rise and slight improvement has him on par with many of the main players here.

#1 STRANGE ARRANGE comes into this race with the consistent higher figures though some hurdles in this spot. He will take a considerable step up in class and coming off a HARD win three weeks ago. #2 BEEEASY finds a lateral change in class though has struggled at the allowance level on the win end, the C/C+ races not quite enough for the top spot.  

Tough to knock the race record for #7 BILL’S HONOR and the connections stepping up in class and circuit to run here. His return on 5/4 earned a strong figure and strong effort on the track though some REGRESS could be in play and the concern especially if they are the favorite in this race out to back up that effort with the changes here and even from a pace standpoint.

Block holds representation with the pair in this race: #3 GOOD APPLE will get another shot against open company and upgraded from the 5/12 race starting a new form cycle (36-day) that afternoon and had TROUBLE_S and inside RUSH though to their credit continued to move forward number wise. The progression on numbers came into play for #8 MOONLIGHT ROAD breaking their maiden on 4/14 though had some factors in their favor and find another rider change the eighth rider in as many starts and the blinkers on here as well.

Cohen shifts to #6 SAWYER FOX another taking on open company though will give up recency and trip noted with BILL’S HONOR (and perhaps the two inside runners) in this field should they go out looking for the LONE trip that was successful and B+ dominant breaking their maiden off the bench last August. Class and progression also remains a hurdle for #4 CLYDE’S GREEN GO a consistent 7yo though that might not translate to much upside, upside that is required to win.

#5 CHAMPAGNE MIKE could present upside in just this second start. He will face a rise in class taking on winners and while he did not catch the strongest maiden field on debut, he showed up with a strong B+ effort to suggest he can take the class rise and slight improvement has him on par with many of the main players here.

#1 STRANGE ARRANGE comes into this race with the consistent higher figures though some hurdles in this spot. He will take a considerable step up in class and coming off a HARD win three weeks ago. #2 BEEEASY finds a lateral change in class though has struggled at the allowance level on the win end, the C/C+ races not quite enough for the top spot.  

The change in surface and complexion of the field could move up #9 SET THE PACE as she looks to do that this afternoon and given the TACTIC- returning off the layoff on 4/28 projected to do so and unable after breaking a step SLOG and rating WIDE. 

#8 QUILTING PARTY could also be upgraded with the surface switch though a top effort is still required. 

#1 COMMAND POINT asserted her dominance (B+) off the bench with the win three weeks ago. The connections looking to come back and pair up outcomes is not out of the question and looking at the Plot could find a similar trip to repeat. #4 LEA RO had to settle for place though still recording a “winning” effort (B) for the effort on the day. She should continue to hold her form and the added extra half furlong can only help. The trip should be similar here and similar to COMMAND POINT (Large Square) the two should have pace to target with the field remaining intact with the “Sun” Contention and high 82 SpeedRate.

Had to do a double-take to see the drop on #2 CANTSTEALMYTHUNDER a horse that has been competitive against the higher class this season. He turned in a BTL effort on the main track on 4/28 and had a subtle trip (TACTIC-) on the turf two weeks ago. He should move up naturally on the massive drop and in today’s race shape as a Quad II Square to stalk a “Fire” Contention and honest 34 SpeedRate.

#8 UNIFIED WEEKEND could take part in that first flight (Quad I Square) though has shown versatility and in current form for this race. He is far more obvious than his stablemate #5 WILDWOOD’S WARRIOR one that is looking to get back to top form though does have that (Quad II/IV Square) Plot position/shape in their favor and IMPROVE Projection back on 4/6.  

#6 CARTE BLANCHE is part of that “contention” though a solid Square and form coming off the B OptixGRADE in the BLANKET finish and with #10 ROCKET HOTSHOT making up ground into a Slow early and late pace that assisted LONE winner, #3 BLURT – one that is unlikely to find that same trip here with #1 PARKER on the inside and #4 READTHETRANSCRIPT to his outside and stretch out #11 MODAZZLE in this group.

#7 KRAMDEN will find the drop wheeling right back and while his form this season leaves a lot to be desired, he has back numbers that fit and one to monitor visually as he did not catch the eye PRERACE- last week, though did take some money in the double. #9 WICKED SURPRISE is in the same conversation when it comes to current form though back numbers that are competitive and on par with a notable rider change as D. Cohen takes the call. 

The Winebaugh barn could be turning things around sending out a live runner on the Saturday card and with #8 MCMONEY upgraded here with their current form and this race moving to the main track.

#5 MONSTERONTHEMIDWAY has had to be patient waiting for the grass to make a return though could work to their benefit as they were entered in an open $25k last week and that race a higher par than today, and a much better contender fit here.

#9 COMEDIC TIMING has some sneaky turf form and could move up with the surface switch here. His form coming in from TP fits on par and this barn has been second out live a form reversal would be no surprise today.

#3 PATH TO SUCCESS certainly moves up on the main track though could be given consideration on the turf as well. He started off his career on the grass and his number consistent at the time in those limited starts fit with his current form here.