Handicapper Tips & Picks

#1 RAMPAGIUS looks live in this spot showing up on this circuit with connections that have been forced into patience since the claim back in March. They remain at the same $50k condition they were picked up at hold local steady works and the recent gate drill to tip the hand they are race ready. The rail draw on this individual could be a concern though with questions on others in this group they are still given consideration and with compensation.

#7 BOLT’S TREASURE projected to move up on the drop and did just that in October at DMR. They will look to transfer that form and repeat figure here, things required to compete in this spot though might need another best back under a similar par and coming up short last out without much in terms of trip excuse.

In terms of the S. Asmussen pair: #3 RIYADH MOON finds the class change off the layoff and has the intent of Oaklawn going back to the season last year with some progression in those starts prior to the layoff, the long recent series of works without a race does create some reservations perhaps waiting for this meet; #4 SEVEN TAYLORS has held their own at this MCL level for prior and current connections though a tad short of a winning effort something to keep in the minor mix along with #2 MAJOR MACK.

The step up in class is noted for #5 DR. STORM despite a BTL effort last out, a common race with #9 COWBOY CODE; #6 MY KID SYD showing run and nearly a winning effort though the circuit change is a step up and the distance a stretch out and still needs to improve from the gate with the SLOG patterns.

#3 MARINA’S GOLD brings back buried form off the layoff and should hold price compensation with those factors in play. They are placed reasonable to compete on this circuit and for today’s sprint distance, a one turn distance they have only run once – a BTL effort in her second start going back to the sophomore MSW race at HS Indy and show finish.

#4 DIXIE PENNY trades local, consistent form for recency with the Armando Hernandez entry of #1 ICY RIVER and #1A BE MY BESTIE. Those runners also looking to show early speed and share common rivals and races out in IL. In terms of ICY RIVER intent should be in play wheeling back from the higher $26k claiming event one week ago, a X_FLOW upgrade .

#6 CHAPARRITA also on another quick turnaround and perhaps too short on the timing or at the least less intent on 12/12 with their stablemate Artistic Vision running as the favorite finishing place in a photo finish. #8 OUR BET is worth a mention at longer odds, a longshot to win with their closing run style though has form over this course and with today’s rider that can compete here. 

#6 WHAT A BLESSING has the slight nod over #4 GYPSY MISCHIEF exiting the common race on 11/8, a race with minimal change in running order. WHAT A BLESSING came out of the race with a bullet work and holds two more solid half mile maintenance OP drills.

#5 SIMOVIC is one of the two older runners in this field and in that category preferred over #3 DEVILISH DESIRE especially at the higher odds. SIMOVIC has the benefit of local form and competitive races including some very tough beats and has not run bad race isolating the sprint, one turn races.

#1 LAMBO will make a very belated return to the races one that has not been seen since the summer of their juvenile season, though was on track last year to return at the FG and had another setback at that time and into the spring. Going back to their two starts, each race consistent (B-) with progressive numbers and there was some intent or at the least steam on this runner favored in both starts.

Similar owner group for the two outside runners as #7 VIKING makes their second start and wore a bar shoe one debut, something to check for on race day though will find the rider change to Bejarano; #8 BADDEST GOOD BOY has had their share of setbacks delaying this debut and will see if they are race ready here. Norm Casse and Ricardo Santana Jr hold a solid record with a compact sample of debuting runners on this circuit, though this one is a slightly different from that successful sample. 

A quick return and lateral change in class for #1 PRINCIPE CARLO one that might not have been their best two weeks ago coming off a top effort since the layoff in the 11/16 CD claiming race and a rebound and repeat makes them a player here.

#5 BASEBALL POLITICS prefers to race outside of horses and that created a subtle excuse along with the timing in October and could be intent with the recovery time and belated return to Oaklawn. They had intended to make a start last March and holds a win going back to December 2021 with the three other starts that followed in that meet all at a higher live playing a role in the outcome.

#8 YOU VEE CEE held competitive form at Oaklawn starting off their career in 2021 and held in 2022 first part of 2023 that fits on par and while it takes a lot of forgiveness for last season and the summer races at the September effort was a return to top form and that effort fits right on par here.

This is more of a longshot race than a longshot pick as those runners present price alternatives to: #3 WORTH LOOKING as a deeper closer is tough to take the 3-1 ML especially on top. They turned in an even place effort in October paired with similar competitive claiming efforts back in August at DMR though much more intriguing double digit odds in those events. The shorter odds also noted for #7 TIGER DAD coming off a favorable trip all out while some drifting to finish first last month at RP as well as #10 MONGOLIAN BEE one that has live connections in their corner though a step up in class here that does not appear to hold price compensation.

#1 SECRET LEGEND will be tested with the step up on this circuit though their debut showed a ton of run in a BTL effort with winning (B) visuals noting in running TROUBLE with a sustained MOVE. They had to overcome the SLOG (something of a pattern for this rider) and something they showed in the December 13^th gate work before rushing into a duel outside of the workmate and put to a ride throughout should get every bit of fitness from that drill.

They will have to step up on speed figures with #4 I GOT GAME leading that category from the others with starts and should have no excuse here with the edge on that front.

In terms of the FTS #2 GATESKEEPER has a steady series of works with the pair locally from the gate that could come out race ready. He jogged making a good physical appearance at the digital sale though tough to take much from that.

In terms of sale works: #5 NASTINATE was green on their left lead most of the 9.4 work and one that probably benefits from the time since the spring to grow and put the work in and also has been gelded since; #8 PINE TREE ROCKET also worked a quick 9.4 back in April and has had some setbacks though steady moves coming into this race.

#7 UP THE CREEK fits this condition off their maiden score race back on 11/3 the race they were claimed out of and likely “protected” with the timing and placement in for $80k just 18-days out and freshened for this spot where they will officially race protected.

#8 MALIBU SMART has remained protected since their claim from the maiden win last November and held their own last season though not quite on the higher allowance level to impact as a player though comparable form at the time to today’s ML favorite, #6 SISTER KISSES. The change to starter allowance company moved up SISTER KISSES and could be as effective for MALIBU SMART.

The early pace should be honest for those runners to work a trip and early pace noted on #4 INTERMITTENT FAST one that wheels back from recording a new top on 11/29, a strong effort staying on BOS X_FLOW though worked HARD for the win was all out without much GALLOP- after the wire and should be noted with the shorter projected odds and three fillies drawn on her inside all with tactical speed in their own right. 

The two AE runners could provide early speed though unable to draw in that assists #9 RED PILL one that appears to hold a pace advantage with their early speed with those defections makes for easier task up front and should have no excuses to take the RED PILL to the front. The speed figures back in California fit on par and given an X_FLOW upgrade from the 11/4 race.

#7 RISK IT showed some distance limitations in the juvenile campaign and moved up with the distance and though still looking to find that second win after a debut score last summer at SAR. Their return last month at CD was improved on figures and a winning type effort in the photo finish.

Fellow debut winner, #8 WHISKEY PARK was impressive first out though has yet to back up that effort in the following two starts. Perhaps the change of scenery will do the trick, or at least some intent as they travel out of town to this circuit looking to get back on track and find their top form.

#3 PLAUSIBLE DENILE tends to make their run from off the pace though one that can fire fresh and their best on this circuit. Look no further than last season, the 12/9 start under similar conditions making a late CLOSE a trip/TACTIC- slightly compromised with the rail draw on the day. The trip probably did not cost them the win (B-) though was still right there, able to compete running on late with the top four together at the wire.

A couple of runners in this field are cross entered on Friday in a similar allowance at the 6f distance and perhaps land here to keep the race intact: #5 OSBOURNE being one of those with a longshot look on Friday wheeling back from an X_FLOW run last month at CD. This mile distance is preferred over the 5.5f PREP off the layoff in September though still perhaps not their most ideal, though capable in the right conditions; #1 RAISE CAIN will still have to work a trip from the inside, though has a little more ground to work with remaining at the mile distance. They have run consistently this season with subtle trips, numbers on par and class that fits this allowance condition and in capable hands with C. Torres.

Vasquez is named on RAISE CAIN on Friday though would remain with #7 ETHEREAL ROAD here coming off a dominant open length conditional claiming win and tough to fault the connections taking the rise in class and protection here. Leparoux named aboard OSBOURNE on Friday and lands on #8 DENINGTON in this spot, ahorse they have been aboard in the past going back to the Tinsel Stakes last season, though a rider that has been up first call for McPeek this meet.

The local experience edge sides with #3 TONKA WARRIOR over #2 BLUE DEVIL along with the ML number as the two with similar runstyles and form on their best day. TONKA WARRIOR was rushed into the Carey Memorial Stakes on a quick turnaround and a quick EXCUSE in running and similar against tougher just days later at KEE and has been given the time and freshening for this return. 

The early pace could find some Contention (Sun) though not necessarily blazing fast to assist #1 LANDLORD from the rail with their early speed and looking for a  similar trip that has been effective for them over this course in the sprint and to rebound back on this circuit. LANDLORD might hold value with some upside and sneaky class edge over the pacesetting rival #2 BRAHMS IMAGE just to their outside with a similar runstyle and projected front end trip.

Trip is and has been key for #6 STUCK N SNOW going all the way back to his career beginnings. He turned in some competitive efforts last season in tough company even his race first off the layoff in January recorded a higher speed figure while in against open company with a higher race par and perhaps not intent last year but could be this time around finding the statebred group.

#11 WHERE’S RANDY was in some of those allowance races last year and capable, however is their own biggest hurdle with the pattern of SLOW and making that late close. They will find a rider change and Bejarano with off-the-pace timing could be a positive switch for this individual. Price compensation is also the key. The number could be light for #12 AL’S ROMEO one that ran under similar allowance conditions last season including the show finish back in March at 46-1. While competitive at that time of the meet, class is still a question to answer, and the price must be right. 

#7 AWOL has a look opening with change in class and similar look back off the 12/6 trip. The race for them might have been lost in the GATE, restless then broke awkward TROUBLE_S and RUSH to recover making a middle move in the 4^th place finish behind the class drop winner, Tornado Road.

Both #6 ZEE FIRE and #8 CHOU CHOU D’AVEN also return from that 12/6 common race with some early trouble and capable of showing early speed to keep #1 INDY CHARGE honest one that will look to clear from the rail and try to take this field as far as they can on the lead.

#2 ROCKET NIGHT Also from that 12/6 common race, changed tactics to stay on as the BOS and could look for a tracking trip off that first flight. They also exiting a common race back in September with #5 VINCITA one that went off shorter odds on the day and WARM finds the barn change returning here with another freshening and one that could make the case for though does not show a published work since that 10/30 start.

#9 BIG ANDY MORT might require a start and return to statebred company where they were more effective last season though has a solid late kick and if there is a highly contentious pace, they could pick up runners late.