Handicapper Tips & Picks

A tremendous Thursday card kicks off with maiden sprinters as the one favorite that figures to stand out should get the job done in the opener. With a few in here with early speed, things could set up nicely for 3-THE J FACTOR to rate and rally as she takes the drop for trainer Brad Rainwater. She has been on the grass in her last couple and the start two back was key as she rated and ran on late on the grass. Look for her to settle and rally in the lane. 5-SITTIN ON A BEACH tried the grass in her last and never really got into the mix. His sprint two back was better than looks on paper as the class drop and hot riding Slevinsky could have her in the mix. 4-DRAMA QUEENIE has speed and is another that just needs some relief. I expect she is sent for the top but will need to try to clear Sweet Smila if she wants a chance to hang around late.

The first of three turf sprints and four grass races on the card with the first of many evenly matched fields to line up. There's some pace, but not a ton in here, which could set things up nicely for 5-A P BLAZING GREEN to rate and rally late. He ran a solid race against open allowance runners in his last as he had to overcome a troubled start in that spot. With the move back to the state-bred ranks, and a clean trip, he should be flying late. 4-TEMPLE FOOL has been successful on the turf and will shift to the sprint for this spot. He's another that could benefit from a contested pace upfront early as a strong finisher with Emigh in the saddle will help. 8-JJ'S SOLUTION is another that is better on turf as Mojica takes the return ride today. He broke his maiden at this distance on grass and is another that will welcome the return to state-bred company.

The first of a pair of allowance sprints on the dirt as this spot looks to have an abundance of speed. With multiple likely to go, 2-CALL ME ICE MAN may be sitting on a perfect trip as he comes back off the layoff. He has three works since his last start and posted a huge figure in his last. He could bounce, but if he doesn't he will be tough at a price. 1-LUNDBERG has speed and draws the rail as he comes off back to back scores. This is a step up today but if he runs back to the start two back when Emigh was aboard he should be tough once again. 5-WILLIE BIRD has speed as he was a sharp winner in his last. He has a couple of works since that start and while he showed speed in his last couple, I expect him to rate and rally today.

The second of our dirt allowance sprints in a spot where the favorites stand out a bit more. Although the recent races have been on grass, 4-DI'S SURPRISE has the class and runs for top connections. Cohen is back in the saddle once again as this one gets into this race as she ran for the tag in victory two back. 6-SECRET OPERATION could benefit if the pace is contested upfront in here. She gets back to the dirt which will help her chances as her start at this level three back shows she belongs. 9-ABSOLUTE MIRACLE is one with speed but she should be able to dictate her trip from the outside. Centeno gave her a good ride in her last as she tracked early before moving to the front on the turn and drawing clear late. The added sixteenth off that last trip could only help today.

Another very evenly matched field with a few in here that can show some speed. With the pace complexion of the race as well as the class drop, 6-HOPPIN JOHN could be sitting on a winning performance today. He looked to be a smart claim for $5k four back and has run respectable races in the allowance ranks in his last three. With the drop in for the tag, I expect he sits closers and challenges late. 5-BRUCE BANNER is one that could get a perfect stalking trip as he returns from a good performance at Colonial last out. He has been at his best at Hawthorne as Felix returns in the saddle. 4-PATH TO SUCCESS will need that pace to chase as he runs back to the same level of the claim. Cohen was aboard earlier in the meet as it is a positive sign to see Rodriguez claim this one back.

Back to the grass as there's no major standout in here. Have to give the nod to the connections as Chris Block has had a great meet and runs 9-LICENSE TO STEAL in here. He sprinted on the dirt in his debut in a race taken off the grass as that was the first of three starts at that instance. He finally found turf in his last for a two turn event and showed some run late. With the move to the sprint, he will need some pace to close into but should be charging in the stretch. 10-LONE RETURN has tactical speed as he has posted some good turf races recently. This distance may suit him best as his race on June 15 makes him a factor. He's another that could come running strongly late. 1-RED RIZZLER has also sprinted on the turf earlier in the meet as he figures to save ground and close well. He may need some racing luck if along the inside in the lane but if he finds it he could be poised for an upset performance.

Another highly competitive event where the favorite could be upset. Looking at the pace, there's not a ton of speed in here but maybe enough for 9-MINING CAMP to work out the right trip. He was a clear winner two back before running a game race against better in his last. Slevinsky is back aboard today as this looks to be a winning spot. 8-CHAMPAGNE MIKE dropped to this level in his last and posted a strong effort. With that stalking trip and a second start at this level, he's another that can't be dismissed. 6-RED MOSCATO is another that drops back to this level, where he just missed two back. He should be tracking the leaders early in here and figures to run on in the lane.

The card opened with what looks to be a strong favorite and closes in similar fashion as the classy 5-CHANNEL WON is in a perfect spot. At 10 years old he is still going strong, winning three of four on the year. He's won 15 times on the turf in his career and should be rolling late. 8-DRAGON DREW is another tough old runner as the 9yo also is having a good season. From the outside he should be able to track the leaders early as the price should be right. 3-PINBALLER has raced well in his last four and is another that could be well positioned in here. If the pace is contested ahead of him, look for him to try to get the jump on the closers in the stretch.