Handicapper Tips & Picks

Tough to get too excited about #4 STARINA in this race, granted the most likely winner. She has recorded some of the higher figures of the group and should have no excuses today, though at the same time requires her top effort and trip with the lateral change in class showing up in this spot.

In terms of the other “experienced” runners in this field they are a “what you see is what you get” though perhaps there is more than meets the eye on #1 REALISTIC GOAL keying off the 4/7 effort under similar conditions putting in a strong CLOSE and GALLOP+ after the SLOG and backed that up with a sneaky BTL on 5/12 on the turf.

The lesser exposed runners could jump up as #3 MACHIVA makes a second career start wheeling back in a week with the added ground and was a NO_PUSH after the SLOG to suggest she could hold a move forward. It is tough to debut around two turns, the hurdle for #6 W W LAST LAUGH though with this race kicking off the card and the early P5, the access to the board and visuals could assist in this case. 

The most interest, if-there-ever-were-a-time horse in this field sits with #6 MAYSTART. She comes into this race with current form on the upswing of an “every other” pattern to follow the class change. The DROP appears the right move as she exits the higher OC events this year with a much higher par than today’s race. Even looking at the Plot, her class is shown as the lone runner in the field above the ParLine and with some question marks on the others with the “Red” in the recent keywords and the layoff line paired with the drop on the projected favorite, #5 MYSTIC STORM. 

Since the J. Haran claim on #3 ADIVA she has been placed above her head and outclassed from the competition. That could change here as she finds a subtle change with the circuit and drop in par, even a lower par from the 5/25 event over this course earlier this year. The move off the rail could the key and live rider in A. Burgos as she will require an assertive ride for this shorter 5f distance.

#4 DOCS SEVEN projected to move up on the TURF and did just that in the two recent starts and the win earlier this month. She will make the move back to the dirt and the shorter distance today could be bigger hurdle than the surface as trip will be key with her runstyle.

Both #1 LILY’S WOOFY and #6 TRIPLE SCOUT are worth a mention returning from the common race and what, in my opinion, was an interesting DQ. LILY’S WOOFY did drift out (NO_LINE) though she had established the lead and position on TRIPLE SCOUT (FTQ) as those two dueled right from the jump. 

The flip-flopping trainers on both #1 LATIN CASINO and #6 BERNIE LOMAX fit today’s race. Both runners coming with current form and figures on par and have been competitive under similar class conditions on this circuit. Looking at the Plot. They have early speed to work a trip and the jump on the PC/C Quad IV Square runners in this field.

#6 TRY TRY AGAIN would not be a surprise surprise again to pair up wins. He comes into this race in form at the right level where he can compete keying off the races last year. While he did not pair wins in 2023, he paired up efforts close enough when placed properly on the winning level. 

This is the type of race that lacks a strong standout from those that have experience and upgrades the two first time starters. #3 TOWERING STORM lands here rather than run against their stablemate on Saturday and catches an arguably softer statebred spot for this debut; #9 STREET FEST comes into this race with steady works, capable connections and a live rider in D. Cohen. He appears well placed for this belated first start coming out today as a four-year-old gelding.

In terms of those that have run, #6 TIGGER ATTACK presents upside with buried form, subtle changes in class from the races this season and should appreciate the STRETCH out wheeling back from the sprint two weeks ago. The filly, #2 COLLIE WRAYS KITTIE also fits today’s surface and distance and could show more than what she has so far to date. 

Looking at the Plot, #7 IMPULSIVENESS could find a similar race shape to the upset win here back on opening (3/24) weekend with his off the pace run (Q4 Square) paired with the higher SpeedRate and Fire Contention. The number on the board could be shorter than it was on the day and value is still required with the deep closing run paired with the class rise. That will also be key with #6 ROCKET HOTSHOT looking for a similar trip and has the ability to position themselves with first run, though also taking that rise in class here.

In terms of the early speed, #3 BRUCE BANNER should fit as the “speed of the speed” returning from the BOS show finish in his first start back off the layoff and has the fitness, conditioning and back numbers. He can often lack finish even with a lone trip, something that makes him tougher to trust on the win end at a projected shorter number. #1 SLAVA UKRAINI has numbers on his best day that fit at this level and early speed that could be effective along with the apprentice weight break, he could be dismissed on the board and upgraded in a value standpoint. 

Trainer E. Rodriguez has a strong hand in this race with the pair of runners leading with ML favorite, #6 DAPPER DUDE, a legitimate player in that role. DAPPER DUDE has been competitive and consistent all season lone though not quite to the allowance level of his rivals this season and the DROP moves him up naturally. Stablemate #1 ALVIN is less established and number wise, the sophomore sits on the lighter side of the two though has shown consistency in his own right. He has shown improvement this season as projected with the IMPROVE back on 4/27 and coming back with the maiden score. He took on winners and the grass for the first time three weeks ago showing more run (SLOG, COVER, MOVE) than the running line and finishing position suggests along with a strong GALLOP+ that should have him right back in the mix here today.

Block runners have been dominant on this turf course and tough to dismiss as the barn sends out #9 COOL AND COLLECTED here. Going back to last season he improved with racing and closing out the 2023 season with an EX _ EXCUSE type trip at HS Indy. Since coming back this year he has yet to run back to his top efforts that will be required to win, though has shown progression race-to-race and another move forward is not out of the question.

#2 LUCKY PAL is upgraded here and keying off the 4/7 effort at this level coming off the layoff earlier this year. The BTL effort caught the eye making a massive WIDE BURST to recover after a TROUBLE_S and just no match for the pacesetting 1-5 chalk winner, Charted. The connections rightfully stepped up in class off that effort and despite faltering late, showed better gate speed and stuck around through an honest opening half mile.

Number wise #7 MINING CAMP has recorded the highest figures in the field and off those numbers paired with the class drop should have no excuses today. The DROP is likely the right move at this point looking for that belated maiden score. They are likely to show early speed and find company in that role with #4 SENDEMDOWNTHEROAD one that has lacked stick late, though to their credit set a Very Fast early pace on debut and Fast early pace first off the claim last month.

A contentious early pace, plays to the strengths of the two M. Perez runners with #1 PIRATE MARMALADE coming into form and improving as of late with #8 KEYSER live with R. Slevinsky back on 5/25 and a rebound to that effort has them right back in the mix here. 

HAWTHORNE INVITATIONAL FINAL TOURNAMENT RACE:

What makes this race interesting is the favorite #4 ROAR OF SILENCE one that fits on the DROP though should she break SLOG like the debut, making a run from off the pace can be tricky over the turf and there are many, many, many other ways to land.

#8 POSSESSION caught the eye as a TURF runner on debut and handled herself on the grass here two weeks ago. Class wise was the bigger hurdle than surface as she projects to appreciate the DROP placed to compete here. #5 MOLLY’S TEMPLE also presented as a TURF runner going back to last season as a sophomore. She has improved with each start here on the grass and at this level on 6/9 turned in a sneaky good effort and one she can IMPROVE on.

In terms of the early pace both #2 GETOUTOFMYKITCHEN and #9 BABE IN THE WOODS bring early speed and overall consistency to stick around for a share though have NO_FINISH and come up short with PERFECT trips to make them tougher to trust on the win end. The back numbers for #3 MULSANNE make her a player though the bigger question is current form, form that has not been on the level of the races in her past. #10 SAFECRACKER SUE also brings in early speed and might be necessary given the draw to work a trip from the outside. She has recorded numbers that fit on par and progression with racing that brings the most upside of the mentioned seasoned group.

On the opposite end is the lightly raced duo leading with second time starter #7 WW BEST OF TIMES coming in from the learning experience on debut and for capable connections. The changes could be what she needs and unlike some of those others, she is the unproven new face. First time starter #6 WAHIDA OF MARDAN will make a belated debut. She was schedule to debut on the turf last season, had the setback and more recently a GATE scratch on 6/15 at odds of 31-1 though has worked from the gate since and back with O. Hernandez, the rider that was assigned for the debut last year.

#1 SKIP TO BALI can be a bit of a “wild card’ in this field with the move to the grass. Number wise she is considerably slow compared to others and a toss on that alone. From a physical perspective, this surface switch could be what she needs as she does not handle KICKBACK and has shown legitimate sprint speed and from the rail could try to take this group as far as she can on the lead. The other “bookend” #11 LIGHTENING MELODY has some back numbers on the grass that put her in the mix. Trip becomes the biggest hurdle not just with the outside draw but paired with the tendency to SLOG. 

HAWTHORNE INVITATIONAL ALTERNATE FINAL TOURNAMENT RACE:

Looking at the Plot, #4 BOYCE’S BANDITA presents as the controlling speed as a Quad I Square, and the class change today playing a role in the position above the ParLine. That said, she still must contend with the “Fire” Contention and something to consider as the projected favorite. #10 ADIOS MUCHACHAS is also position in Q1 Surface/Distance though on Standard (current form) shifts to Q2 Square. In addition, she brings upside projecting to IMPROVE after tossing her head and breaking in a tangle (TROUBLES+) on 6/8 and finished with a strong CLOSE – tough to see in the running line and finishing position.

#2 SAPPHIRE NIGHTS turned in a B OptixGRADE effort, a winning race for the level under similar conditions with the 4/7 place finish. She can be given a pass on 5/19 stepped up in class above her abilities and stepped forward three weeks ago with a subtle trip and B- OptixGRADE in the show finish.

#8 HOLY IMAGE should present value and based on the Plot could find the right setup in this race. She is not overly flashy “on paper” though the effort with the B- GRADE and 69 Fig has her right in line with #7 CHANEL POINT and BOYCE’S BANDITA and for the connections HOLY IMAGE can get overlooked.

#6 FANCY HILL is another “longshot” to keep on the radar. With each race this year she is moving forward (improving GRADES) and her peak effort, the dominant B+ maiden score closing out 2023 with the 72 figures makes her a contender. 

The finale is a good spot to get creative as on their best day there is not much separation top to bottom in this field. Both V. Childers runners are upgraded here and tough to split: #3 LIPLINER turned in a BTL effort last June over this course and given the PREP coming off the layoff two weeks ago; #6 CHROME ATTACK also given a PREP and an upgrade returning to the TURF for the first time this season. She will race for the tag today, a move that looks to place her where she can compete and similar with C. Emigh picking up the mounts as he has been aboard in the past with in the money finishes.

#7 SHE’S WANDAFUL is obviously very dangerous on her best day and trainer P. Miller is excellent with turf sprinters overall and capable off the long layoff. That said she is still giving up the recency and from a runstyle perspective should find company up front with #1 MADELYN BELLE and #2 RAMBERT in this field and their inside draw. MADELYN BELLE will shift to the turf and has that hurdle while in form and similar form for #4 MOVE IT BABY one that has been on the turf this year though does find a subtle rise and different dynamic to consider in terms of value.

The connections of #8 BALI BABY have been waiting for the turf and logical with that surface switch as her higher numbers and competitive efforts have been contested on the turf/synth and this third off with a little more time between starts should give her the best chance to run back to a top effort, efforts that have her right on par today. Current form as well as the shorter distance is the concern for #9 TAPERINEA one that has shown some mild progression this year though has not quite shown enough or back on her “A” game, something required today in this competitive event. 

This race looks to get trainer Wayne Catalano one winner closer to 3,000 on his career as 4-STARINA will be a heavy favorite in this spot. She has ran solid races in her last couple and may look to sit a bit closer to the pace in this spot. On figures alone, she's a standout in here. 2-ELODINE comes out of a one turn mile race at Churchill in her last where she showed improved speed and contended into the lane. She may look to get away quickly in this spot and she can pose a threat to Starina. 6-W W LAST HURRAH debuts for Becker with Lasix as she has been training well leading to this race. She's asked to go two turns first out but the short field and outside draw could benefit her chances.

An extremely competitive bunch in here as there's a bit of early pace in this race. One getting some class relief is 6-MAYSTART as she comes out of a pair of tough starter races in her last couple. She will need some pace to chase but is expected to close with a rush. 1-GO STORMIN GIRL was a solid winner in her last as she rated close early and drew clear in the lane. Expect her to be sent for position once again from the inside as she loves this track and should be a decent price. 7-PALACE MAGIC has had some solid races over this track as she has some tactical speed. Her last two on the turf came against much tougher as she figures to benefit from the class relief.

With the inside two likely to show speed in here, expect some horses to run on late. Although the last couple have come on turf, 4-DOCS SEVEN has run well on the dirt and has been good at this distance. Mojica rode a beautiful race aboard him last out and should have him running on late in the lane in here. 3-ADIVA was strong in her Hawthorne start two back as she rated closer than I would expect her tonight. She posted three consecutive scores at Oaklawn this spring and the ability to rate just off the pace will set her up for a big effort in here. 6-TRIPLE SCOUT is one that figures to tuck in just behind the pace in this race. She posted seven wins in then starts last year while finding the board in every start. She's been just as good to open 2024 and will take a good amount of action.

No reason why 6-TRY TRY AGAIN can't win right back as he was very good in his last. He loves the track, he's much better sprinting and should be able to sit just off the pace. Reyes is riding well and the price should still be right. 1-LATIN CASINO figures to show speed from the inside as he starts for the new connections in here. He battled late into the lane in his last before giving way in the final 16th. Let's see if he tries to clear in here. 4-TIME HEIST will step back up in here off another solid score in his last. He is another that loves this Hawthorne strip and will get some pace to chase. Let's see if he can get Santos into the winner's circle.

State-bred turf runners in here as the first timers could determine what the pace scenario is. From those who have run, there doesn't appear to be a ton of early speed. I will try one on debut and look to 3-TOWERING STORM as he scratched out of an open race on Saturday for this spot. The four-year-old is getting started a bit later but gets Lasix for the debut and is bred to run all day on turf. 4-NAGY AND DA BEARS showed improved speed in recent races as he ran well in his first turf try. He led into the lane in that spot before giving way late and could be sent once again for the front. 8-CANYON SHADOWS gets Lasix for this race as he ran well on the grass in his last and stretches out today. He's been the most consistent in the race and figures to take a good amount of action.

There's only a couple with speed in this race but they have the potential to hook up. The one that could tuck in just behind the pace is 2-JET FLIGHT as he has run well in his last couple. He was a good winner two back and came back to post a good second in a stalking trip in his last. He should be able to rate just off the pace in here and could run by in the lane. 1-SLAVA UKRAINI is at his best when he makes the lead as he should get sent away for bug Slevinsky from the rail. If he can clear, there the potential he could get brave on the lead and hang around late. 3-BRUCE BANNER is another with speed as he battled in his last while facing tougher. He has run well over this track but I'm a bit surprised that Felix doesn't return in the saddle.

There's so much pace in this race which figures to set things up for the closing move of 6-DAPPER DUDE. He finds things easier as he has faced allowance runners in recent starts and picks up a strong finisher in Cohen in the saddle. This could be a confidence building spot. 2-WE MISS ARLINGTON is one of those with speed who also has class off recent Oaklawn starts. There's question as to how he will handle the grass but he has been trying to run on the turf and comes in off a bullet drill. 5-MY TENNIS SHOES could be the sleeper in here as he also tries the turf for the first time. He was a good winner two back and figures to be overlooked with the step up in class.

Wondering if trainer Manny Perez could run 1-2 here as there looks to be a good amount of pace to close into. 1-PIRATE MARMALADE has run well in his last couple as it has coincided with the class relief. He should be saving ground in here and continued improvement will put him right there nearing the wire. 8-KEYSER raced well with Slevinsky aboard two back as she returns in the saddle in this spot. He could sit a bit closer to the early pace but is another that figures to rally late. 6-NAP LOVER debuts for Robertson with Lasix as the Illinois-bred has a decent pattern of drills and isn't being asked for too much first out. His gate work was decent as I'll be curious to get a look at him in the paddock.

The maiden score for 7-CHANEL POINT was solid in the mud last month as she takes the logical step up in class. She rated closer in that race and could get a similar trip from just off the expected speed of likely favorite, 4-BOYCE'S BANDITA. Boyce's Bandita drops to win it appears as she faced allowance runners in three straight before this drop. She does race for the increased Illinois claiming tag and could possibly win and get claimed. 5-IMAGE OF CURLIN is worth the look while at a price as she was a good winner in her last with Slevinsky aboard. The bug girl rides back as she could get a very similar trip to Chanel Point in here.

I looked for a Manny Perez trained exacta earlier in the card and try here for an Eduardo Rodriguez trained exacta to close the day. 4-MOVE IT BABY has been a solid turf sprinter, especially at this distance. She was a good winner two back and held her own in her last. Let's see if she can handle the class hike today. 2-RAMBERT also steps up off the claim as she has had past turf sprint success as well. She should be rating close to the pace in here and figures to pounce in the lane. 1-MADELYN BELLE is one with speed as she scratched out of a tougher spot Saturday for this race. She won her only sprint on the turf here last summer and may be fast enough early to clear and never look back.

4-STARINA seems most likely though she’s far from a lock. Her average speed figures are the highest, she races for a world-class trainer, and she’ll utilize one of the top local jocks for her local debut. Don’t ignore 1-REALISTIC GOAL. Toss out her last two on turf and in her third race back, her lone dirt route, she finished a few lengths ahead of Elodine and she was flying late. 2-ELODINE is back from Kentucky. She split good fields in her last two dirt routes. Expecting her to display better speed today. The connections of 6-W W LAST HURRAH must like her chances. They shipped her up here when she could have faced somewhat easier at Fanduel. However, runners from her barn often need a race, especially to tackle two turns.

Have to think that 5-MYSTIC STORM is the one to beat. If you can ignore last, her turf debut, she looks like she should overpower this group. She has been competitive enough against better that the drop in class makes all the sense. 2-ELLIE DELI returns to dirt for the first time since getting claimed by this barn. Herb trainer is hitting at a 245 clip. Two of this filly’s three wins came at this distance. 6-MAYSTART finally drops. Her recent races in starter company leave a lot to be desired but when she was racing against straight claimers here last year, she was highly competitive. 

This is a pretty evenly matched group, at least on paper. Every member has had at least one race, where if they had an equal effort, would wind up beating the rest. But think 6-TRIPLE SCOUT could have the edge. If you throw out her Turfway race, on synth, earlier this year, she has been like an ATM. She has finished out of the money only four times in her last 27 races, dating back to May of 2021. She won eight of her last 14 races, and finished second, barely beaten, another three times. However, her speed figures really aren’t that much better than most of her rivals. Is she vulnerable? We’ll see. 3-ADIVA faced allowance company in two of her three races since getting claimed by this barn and tried to catch the lone speed in a starter between those two races. Today, with all the speed in this race, she should be able to stalk, her preferred style of running. It should also be noted that two of her three victories came on off tracks. 4-DOCS SEVEN looks like the best closer in the field. She won her last on turf but she has been far more successful on the main track.

1-LATIN CASINO drops off the claim. I usually am not a fan of that happening but this looks like a terrific move. This versatile runner might get claimed again but the connections would only lose $1500 on that transaction while having a great shot of getting the lion’s share of the $15,000 purse. Seems like a good gamble to me. 4-TIME HEIST won three of last five. However, his regular rider will be aboard the barn’s other starter in this race, a horse he had never ridden. Interesting. 6-TRY TRY AGAIN beat most of this field in last and paid nearly $60 doing it. He showed little in his first three races this year but he looks like he has regained the form he displayed for much of 2023. Can repeat.

8-CANYON SHADOWS looks tough. He ran well in three of his four races, including a narrow loss in last when trying turf for the first time. Today he’ll get first Lasix and race with blinkers for the first time. Guessing he’ll be sent right to the lead and never look back. 1-PONTUS finished a couple lengths behind top pick in their debut but he had trouble at the start. He was making up ground late but ran out of real estate. His pedigree suggests that he’ll relish the extra distance of this race. Could close ground in the stretch. 3-TOWERING STORM races for turf specialists. Love the way he’s been working. However, their runners often need a start and they win with only six percent of first timers and it’s been a long time since one of their runners won when debuting at a mile or over. 9-STREET FEST has sneaky good works. Certainly worth a look.

6-ROCKET HOTSHOT is seemingly overmatched since he’s been racing for a nickel but the conditions of this race, a NW3, excludes horses who have had multiple wins for less than $10k. This late runner won two of his last three, five lifetime scores, and lost the other by less than a length. There won’t be a lot of pace to set up for his late run but his main contenders will face the same obstacle. 3-BRUCE BANNER probably needed last after three months off. He made a nice middle move to get to the lead in the stretch but couldn’t sustain that bid. However, this time he’ll have a race under his belt and this appears to be a far easier field than he met in that last race. 2-JET FLIGHT just finished second in similar. Good tactical speed could give him an advantage in a race filled with late runners. 

Not in love with any in here but 6-DAPPER DUDE has a win and a place from four turf starts and he’s dropping to meet his easiest field since his narrow loss in his career debut. 2-WE MISS ARLINGTON probably has to be beat. He had a couple decent races at Oaklawn over the winter and he’s another dropping in class. However, even though he owns a nice turf pedigree, he never ran on the weeds. You never know if they’ll like it until they show that they like it. 9-COOL AND COLLECTED broke his maiden on grass but that’s really the only time he ever showed much. He finished a distant fourth in his last two starts, one of them on the turf, at this level. But, he did pop a bullet drill since his last race. Can’t ignore the barn. 4-KINGSBURRY ATTACK has been trounced in both races this year but he did have a couple efforts in 2023 that suggest he could be competitive against this group on any given day.

7-MINING CAMP could finally graduate. He’s dropping to his lowest level and turning back in distance. He has plenty of early speed but it’s more suited to routes and he’s meeting some quicker than he which should work in his favor. Just when they are starting to run out of gas, he should be hitting his best stride. 1-PIRATE MARMALADE comes off his best effort ever. Like the late run he showed in his two races at this level. The pace will set up. He could finish fastest of all. 6-NAP LOVER makes his debut for a strong outfit. He sports decent drills. Could easily be a major player.

4-ROAR OF SILENCE surprisingly drops into maiden claimers. She’s had only one race, on turf, and it wasn’t a bad effort. But she could be far tougher at this level. 8-POSSESSION also drops. She finished slightly ahead of top choice while making her turf debut. This will be only her third race. Might still have plenty of upside. 9-BABE IN THE WOODS just missed graduating in last when making her Hawthorne and her turf debut. That was her first race in nearly three months. She could be even better prepared for this race.

7-CHANEL POINT just graduated and did it with authority. She’ll be taking on better rivals today but she finished last with a ton of run. There’s a good chance she’ll repeat. Wonder how many claims there will be for 4-BOYCE’S BANDITA. She’s been displaying only brief speed since breaking her maiden but she has been taking on somewhat tougher rivals in Illinois-bred allowance company. Think she would be much tougher at five furlongs but at this level she should be able to last six. 2-SAPPHIRE NIGHTS isn’t a big closer but am expecting her to be stalking the early pace, hoping to move on the early leaders late.

1-MADELYN BELLE is always hard to beat. Winner of last three and six of her 10 career starts scored a narrow victory in her lone turf start. She was claimed from the top barn from last but her new barn wins with 36% of their first-time claims. 7-SHE’S WANDAFUL finished 2023 with two straight victories and could continue that win streak in her first start of 2024. When she’s “on” she’s either right on the lead or right off it. She’ll have to deal with some other speed runners and she has traditionally needed a race to hit peak form but today could change that. 4-MOVE IT BABY has four turf sprint victories, including in two of her last three races. 6-CHROME ATTACK and 3-LIPLINER are a couple of veteran turf sprinters trained by Vance Childers. Chrome Attack will be coming late while Lipliner might be pressing the pace. Both figure prominently and both will go off at great odds.

Race 8:  7 - 6 - 1

Late Pick 4 Ticket: 1,6,7 / 2,4,5,7 / 4,5,7 / 2,3,4  ($54)

Not sure in my entire handicapping career spanning over 25 years have I touted a 5yo maiden who’s 0-for-21 as my top choice, but here we are! The bottom line is this…#7 Mining Camp (7-5) is lone speed on paper and dropping down in class. That’s a very dangerous combination at any level. If Mining Camp can’t get the job done today…oh my.

Race 9:  4 - 7 - 2

A NY-Bred 2nd time starting daughter of Cairo Price, #4 Roar of Silence (7-2) is dropping down to a more realistic spot today for trainer Goldfine and jockey Felix. The trainer has excellent stats for 2nd-time starters and although I couldn’t find too many excuses for her first effort, this field is pretty weak. I’m expecting improvement and a winning effort today. 

Race 10:  4 - 5 - 7

There’s plenty of early speed in this affair, but I’ll take the speed of the speed with #4 Boyce’s Bandita (8-5). Her morning line price is way too low for a win bet, but the drop down to an easier level, facing horses that don’t like to pass each other, makes “Boyce” a tough customer if she can get a comfortable lead. If she gets pressed / breathed on, we might see an upset in the penultimate race of the day.

Race 11:  2 - 3 - 4

The closing race of the day is a turf sprint. #2 Rambert (6-1) has plenty of early gas, although so do others. Going 5 ½ furlongs will force jockey Cohen to make some decisions. I don’t want this one involved in a pace battle, so I’m hoping he’ll just sit off the early speed comfortably in the pocket. He’s been staked in the past and jumps up in claiming price, plus recently claimed by a new trainer, so perhaps he’s well-meant today. He’s going to have run well to defeat his counterparts.