Handicapper Tips & Picks

The opener is tough, due to a couple of horses making very quick returns and not knowing what to expect. A horse that should be ready, four weeks off his last is 2-D'ARCHER. He has early speed in a race that is lacking of pace and is likely to be asked for that speed from Mojica in here. If he can shake loose early he may never look back. 6-MON AMI FUZZIE comes back three weeks after his last as he runs for the new connections today. He rated and ran evenly through the lane in his last but could move forwardly for the new barn in here. He is winless from 14 starts over the track though which leaves some concern. 4-UNCAPTURED PULSE is one of those making the quick return as he comes off a solid win at a big price in his last. He rated closer in that spot and finished well. He continues to progress and merits a look with these.

The big drops for some of these in here are scary. One of those being 2-IRISH SPARK as she comes out of three straight maiden allowance tests into this race. She looks to get some pace to chase though as she figures to settle and run on last. She has regressed in her starts though as this race possibly comes up as a confidence boost. 3-BABAS GAL has been at this level for her last couple, running well to finish third in her last two. She figures to pick off some horses late in here and could be helped by a possible contested pace upfront. 6-LOST SUNSET adds Lasix off her last as she likely bled in that spot, leading to the poor performance. She stays at the same level once again and should be able to show some speed with these.

There's very little early pace in this race, which should benefit the chances of 4-JOE THE TAILOR. He also held on while facing similar on the dirt two back and ran a nice race on the grass in his last. He gets Cohen in the saddle today as he figures to make the top and possibly never look back. 1-TAHOE RUN has been at his best at Hawthorne over the main track as he defeated open allowance company on the dirt here last summer. He faces state-breds in here as he comes off of a somewhat disappointing turf try last out. 7-DASH TO THE CASH makes his first start of the year and he always seems to close into the mix late. He has worked consistently toward his return and figures to rally in the lane once again.

Another spot where the quick return leaves some unknown, but I really like the effort shown by 7-RED HORNET over the course here last week as he rated and rallied to a solid score. There is very little along the lines of early pace in this spot as he could settle closer and repeat that last performance while at a decent price. 8-CATEGORY TEN is likely hoping for this race to come off the grass as he looks to be much better on the main track. He put together back to back wins in races two and three back for a barn that has been strong in recent weeks. 4-C F V BULLET was claimed for $30k three back and faced tougher in a pair of off track starts in his last two. He turns back to the grass in here as he's another that may look to rate a bit closer to the early pace.

A really solid allowance field in this spot as the new shooter could be the one to keep an eye on. 2-LUNDBERG was claimed for $45k at Oaklawn back in February and followed that race with a pair of good dirt races while stepping up in his next couple. He has tactical speed and may rate just off Strange Arrange in here as he's working well toward his return to the race. 5-FAMILY TRADITION shortens up today to the six furlong distance, where he's been at his best. He is another that won't be too far off the pace as he is worth a look while at a price. 3-STRANGE ARRANGE ran a big race in his last and almost got the job done, getting caught in the shadow of the wire. The shorter distance today will help as he looks to get loose on the front end.

I really liked 7-ARTHURIAN last out as he was trying the grass for the first time and he ran a big race, almost getting up for the win. He shortens up a 16th in here but has some speed as he shouldn't be too far back at any point. 9-CONGRATS ON FIFTY is one of those with speed as he led late in that same race that Arthurian comes out of. He broke his maiden on the front end at this distance on the main track last July and should be a part of the early pace in here. 3-LARRY THE POET is the unknown as he has never been on the grass but is a major factor on the main track. He also has speed as Giles has been a good fit for him.

A very competitive bunch closes things out on the grass as many of these faced off earlier in the meet. 7-SPINNING HEART had been waiting to get back on the turf and finally found that spot on June 8 as he was forwardly placed and battled the entire way. He should get a similar trip once again and could be a decent price as well. 1-LICENSE TO STEAL wanted the turf in his debut but stayed in when the race came off a ran a respectable race first out. He stretches out today and could add a bit to the early pace as he will have to work to get position into the first turn. 11-PILKINGTON is the one to beat as he draws outside but should be closing with a rush. Even though he has yet to find the board in seven career turf starts, many of those races have come against tougher and his figures stack up in here.