Handicapper Tips & Picks

3-PEGGY’S WAY could hold a slight edge. She might not be quite the quickest of these but she does seem to maintain her speed longer than most. Just graduated and was claimed from that race. Her new barn wins with 30% of their first-time claims. 6-PROBLEMATICA is probably the quickest of these and would be my selection at five and five and a half furlongs but she usually runs out of gas. However, she might build a commanding lead and hold on for the win. 5-WRITTEN CONSENT could be the best closer in the field. She’s dropping in class, turning back in distance, and moving from turf to dirt. Her best chance happens if the top pair lock up in a speed duel. 

7-A REAL HERO could get the trip. Winner of last, her first start after getting claimed by this barn, should find an ideal pace ahead of her with all the speed in this field. She could have dead aim late. 4-SMOOTH JUSTICE just dominated. Speedy mare has been sharp in all her races at this claiming level. She’s meeting a few others with competitive speed but if she runs the way she did in last, it might not matter. 6-SUPORB is one of those with competitive speed. She’s had three races since moving to this barn, winning one and finishing second in the other two. She figures to be a major player once again. 

Can’t help but think that the pace of this race will set up for a runner like 3-SILVER QUARTERS. He hasn’t had nearly the success on turf as some of his rivals but he does appear to be the best closer and there should be a hotly contested pace on the front end. Gets the top jock for this. Can fly by them all. 2-SAILING SOLO might be the best of the speed. He’s not going to be unchallenged but he has shown great tenacity under pressure. He has been victorious in four of his six turf races at this distance. Could outlast the rest of the early burners. Not in love with the chances of 4-CADET CORPS on turf but really like him if this race gets moves to the main track. H never raced on an off surface but his dirt speed figures tower over those of his rivals. 1-SOUL COAXING pulled off a mild upset in his lone local turf race. He stalked the pace set by Sailing Solo and managed to get by late. He’s likely to get the same kind of trip today. A repeat win is possible.

2-RACARINO needed last. He was making his first start since October. He owns enough speed to stay close and still finish with good energy. The fact that he gets the top jock in this spot could enhance his chances. 1-RIVZONAROLL has speed, the rail and he drops in class. He failed to show much when trying the turf in last but, at this level on the main track, he might lead throughout. 6-RISKY BOY was overmatched in last couple and it showed but he has been highly competitive when meeting rivals such as these. Can wake up in a big way with the class drop.

Love the “never won on turf” condition. It kind of levels the playing field. Obviously, some in here have fared better on the lawn but you would have to think that 4-SWIFT AS I AM holds the advantage. He might not have won on grass but he’s had some big-time efforts in stakes races. His turf “figs” are considerably higher than those of his rivals. He should be the one to beat. It is supposed to rain a lot on Wednesday so it’s possible that this race will be moved to the main track. If that happens 9-LIKE A SALTSHAKER deserves a long second look. He’s entered for main track only and he has been terrific on our “main” track, winning three of five and finishing second in the other two on the local dirt. There is speed aplenty in this race and it’s possible that there will be at least three vying for the lead. 2-I’M WIDE AWAKE, 3-CONGRATS ON FIFTY and 7-ARTHURIAN could be duking it out on the front end.

7-PALHACO never won here but he did finish in the money in four of his six local starts. Tactical speed allows him to go for the lead or to sit right behind it. 4-TWO COOKIE RULE finished second in his last two starts. This mile 70 route seems to be his best distance. He should be a major player again today. 6-JIM AND JIM made a nice middle move in last but couldn’t sustain it. However, it might have signaled that he’s rounding into form`. Could be poised to pull off a minor upset.

With a lot of rain forecast it’s hard to figure who will stay in this race if it comes off turf. 2-CROSSANNA is the pick on the lawn. She ran well in both her races, both turf routes, but her barn does great with runners turning back in distance. On the main track, I would think that 3-GEROGIA ON E’SMIND would be tough. She was claimed from last from one of the top barns in the country. She’s moving into maiden specials for this but also shipping from Churchill. Could lead throughout. 1-FROM SCRATCH looks like the best speed if his race stays on the weeds. She tired badly in her turf debut but think she can improve with experience.

4-KHOZAN’S SUCCESS has been red hot at the $5k claiming level. The first time he raced here at this level he won by 12, though was DQ’d. Shipped to CD for his next start but wasn’t competitive. Since returning here, he has a win and a close second. Will be tough in this one. 7-NOT VERY GENTLE comes along late. He finished a few lengths behind top choice in last but he had a nightmare trip. There is enough speed in here to soften up top pick and that would favor this gelding. 1-UNIFIED WEEKEND is another likely to come on late. He hasn’t had a lot of luck lately when they send him but he usually fares well when they take him back off the pace. 

Interesting. It’s a turf contest without many turf runners. 9-GIANNO gets the nod. He was second in his lone turf route against maiden claimers. Might be good enough for this group. 8-LONE RETURN could be the best of the speed. Like top choice, he was second in his lone turf route and the winner of that race went on to capture his next race as well. 10-SKYLANE ran well enough in his lone turf race but it’s his main-track form that makes him especially dangerous if this race gets moved to the main track.