Handicapper Tips & Picks

#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. 

#2 BIG BAD DIVA is returns to run for the claiming tag, the first time since picked up back in March. She rewarded the connections with the quick win in April, a PERFECT trip though following was not as favorable in terms of trip and placement. She has steady works returning off the 57-day break and back with C. Torres that win and show rider.

The early pace should be honest with the inside runners along with #7 MISS JEOPARDY and #5 TIFFANY TWIST stretching out off the win and claim for BIG BAD DIVA to work a trip. Trip could also flatter #6 JUST LIKE MAGIC as they could be well-intended second off the layoff and coming off a sneaky good BTL effort last out at MNR racing protected and then show back up on this circuit for in for the tag with the higher purse.

Trip will be key for #8 MAKEMEBELIEVE with their runstyle on the outside of the field and coming in fresh off the layoff. With an inside draw they could send and take their chances up front though lack that luxury with the draw and the complexion of this race. That said, they appear well intended off the layoff, has been able to fire a top effort fresh, given the placement and prior Oaklawn starts when in against much tougher and lands at the right level for their abilities and to get the mile distance. 

#3 VERY COSMOPOLITAN held their own against open company MSW runners in the first two starts with the TROUBLE trip show finish on debut at SAR and projecting to IMPROVE off that race caught a WIDE trip and a productive September event the top three winning next out and some others improving in outcome and or speed figure in their following start.

The edge in experience should also benefit #10 AUNT DIXIE with the debut last month and showing speed without much intent at 47-1 outside of experience and fitness came out of the race to keep fitness with the maintenance move earlier this month. While in for a tag the race par was higher than the two races #9 TOODLE LOO exits back in June, though does appear fit no knocks off the recent works for the return. A similar second start upgrade for #13 PLINKO CHIP currently on the outside looking in from the AE though would only take one to run.

#12 RE RE’S ROCKET could be live on debut worked 10.1 back in April with plenty of works since. The barn can be sneaky with FTS and showing up on this circuit. Trips for those runners have been EXCUSE and calling up C. Torres today, a rider that does not ride for this barn could be sign of intent here. Similar with the jockey/trainer combination for #2 HOLLY SPRINGS one that pulled off an open length win with Lassie My Girl last weekend though part of the key angle with her on the day was the debut and tough beat with Santana aboard the pair also teaming up with a 16-1 FTS winner called Didja last season – a near perfect 2/2 with statebred MSW FTS. 

This is a tough race without a real standout and runners that have left something to be desired in their races to date. That includes ML favorite #9 HAPPY TALK one that has recorded some of the higher figures in the field and competitive races locally around two turns on their side. This should be the time if ever second off the layoff and in a race that appears to hold many front running types for her late run. #10 A DOLLAR A DAY holds a similar runstyle though still one lighter on class for the top spot though should remain in the mix.

#1 H M LEGACY is the new face and perhaps upside in this second start off the layoff with the circuit switch for their connections. The have the benefit of the race off layoff and fitness from the WIDE trip last month on the FG turf and make a belated return to the main track. This will be just the second time on dirt though going back to their debut made a middle move and late move in a race with minimal change in running order and upgraded as the lone runner to make up ground.

#3 BANG BANG FURY will stretch out for the first time though also holds some local experience with upside from the juvenile figures that fit on par and with today’s group. The 12/16 race last season was competitive noting adversity from start to finish playing a role in the show outcome and turned in a winning/B race for the level last month at CD though caught a softer group on the day. The distance change will be a first around two turns though is also a new face that cannot be knocked at the distance with that change paired with price compensation. 

#7 RIGHT TONE can be upgraded in this second start of the season and key post position change. The raced covered taking some KICKBACK- from the inside making a MOVE against the dynamic. Some subtle trips going back to a legitimate EXCUSE in September and again with the rail draw in October. The blinkers, rider and class change could also present further intent here.

#1 SEVEN FLAT sneaks into this race with the October win, the race they were claimed out of not counting towards eligibility. Protected off the claim last month, they should hold fitness making an X_WIDE RUSH and wheeling back for this spot second off the claim and back at the claiming level. Their races over this course last year were a lot more competitive, like the BTL in March to upgrade and compete with today’s group.

#2 MAHAAMEL wheels right back in this third start from the layoff and a week and change from the recent TP start with upside from the race dynamic and WIDE trip. The races over the OP main track fit strongly on par and looks to be intent with the return and drop a big drop since the higher dollar claim last year.

#8 POLTERER will race for the claiming tag for the first time in a long time and should be intent on that front though trip still remains a hurdle given the Fire complexion of this field and one of many that look to be on or near the lead. That same trip is noted and potential hurdle despite fitting as an individual for #12 EASTSIDE COOL especially as the listed ML favorite.

Hard to not give a look to #7 MONEYSHOT following the visuals making a massive middle BURST in the stakes race place finish at Hastings prior the layoff. They class change is closer to a lateral move and similar going back to the race par from last season recording figures under Bowen that fit on par to compete right back.

#9 SHATTUCK is also upgraded keying off last season and placed at the right level back to claiming where they fit. They used a similar pattern last year racing into shape with improving numbers and stepped with the conditioning and class relief – a similar cycle third off the layoff here. #2 MOUNT CRAIG is not the exiting type paired with a shorter number though their consistency, back numbers and even in this scenario being on the “PLODDY” side could work toward a trip.

They would be preferred of the shorter priced runners as #1 CONTEMPLATION will likely have to send from the inside one that dos not want to be behind horses as they stretch back out here and #6 FEAR OF UNION taking on winners for the first time off a new top and favorable trip lacking recency returning from a 3 month break. 

Tom Amoss sends in a capable pair with #7 SUTHERLAND given an edge over #4 WESTERN COMMAND with a subtle edge on class and perhaps even intent with SUTHERLAND recently claimed for these connections, raced protected last month at DED with a competitive race given the trip and outcome and should hold fitness for this 6f sprint.

#6 POWERFUL has not show much in terms of progression since the juvenile campaign to suggest this drop in class is the right move to find where they fit and even move on if that turns out to be the case. They have run protected up until the higher level claiming event last month, a higher par and purse as well as giving up recency a move forward should be the time and place here.

#11 BOAT SONG is a lot better than the recent efforts indicate and could see a return to top form off those trips, excuses with the layoff back at OP and racing at the claiming level.

#9 LEAGUE OF LEGENDS is a massive longshot to win, though not without a chance to work into the mix for a minor share and with the option to add a fourth horse they would be in that graphic on the screen. They are looking for the first win since the spring of 2022 though have turned in competitive races with a hidden level of consistency keeping in mind their off the pace runstyle and requiring the right handling and pace to target something that has not always been in their favor. 

It is a deep dive through history to find the one race for #6 RED RUN that makes them eligible for this condition. The fit here and a positive while looking for a win they remain protected and from some subtle trips since picked up back in August. Santana picking up the mount is also a sneaky live call for these connections. Bejarano will jump back aboard #1 TRIDENT HIT the other Ron Moquett runner in this field one that could be a race and class drop out as they step back up to a protected conditions off the bench.

#7 CALIBRATE has been a consistent type for Rosin and one that fits on their best day making a return to Oaklawn with form since the layoff return. The August race off the bench at CBY could have been a prep and stepped up with a BTL TROUBLE trip finishing in a BLANKET at the wire on the Hawthorne turf back in October with another subtle trip upgrade last month at RP.

Tough to dismiss much from the Mark Casse barn and #5 GOLDEN GLIDER fits here and placed where they can compete. The required the class DROP and had a very favorable trip with the June win, something that had the connections remain protected in the next two starts and while running consistent figures the overall efforts a tough short on the win front. 

#5 GIRLS WEEKEND is cross entered in the stakes on Saturday though could see the connections take this spot where she fits on conditions and looking to pair wins. She is a progressive, lightly raced type that could easily hold stakes in the future if that does not take place a day earlier. #7 ASTERNIA is also cross entered and upgraded in this spot second off the layoff and early speed with a different race complexion here. While on numbers there is not much between her and stablemate #10 BLUE SQUALL class being the separator edge for  ASTERNIA.  

#1 CANDY AISLE should be sitting on a peak effort in this third start off the layoff and back at the sprint distance. She caught the eye last year in stakes company month up with each start and enough for the connections to consider the Fantasy G3, a race that was not ideal in terms of trip in running and with the long layoff that followed with intent as they return to Oaklawn for this season.

In terms of #8 MINK’S PALACE she shows up with consistent form and figures and back to allowance company perhaps exposed with the step to graded stakes company back in October at KEE. That said this is still a competitive group with not a lot of value given the assigned ML. The Kenneally barn does not send many to Oaklawn perhaps intent on that front with a decent record given that compact sample of runners. 

The inclination is look towards a new face for the top spot based on the races to date from the others in this field with racing experience. As far those runners with experience, #7 GET FROSTY has the consistency and speed figure edge. Even with the pattern of minor finishes has come up short of a winning effort while recognizing the number edge present over rivals #8 PRETTY LAYLA and the lone 4yo #12 QUEEN CLANCY as the others with established form to stick around for a share.

In terms of the group of FTS: #6 RACQUEL BLUE brings in a steady series of local works for McLean Robertson, a barn capable with FTS and on this circuit with a positive MSW ROI. John Ortiz brings in a way of FTS and capable in this category. #3 LOVE ME A SUNSET was pointed to debut on this circuit last season and suggests intent despite the delay they show up here. The recent works look consistent on paper for #2 LEILAUNI SUE one that earlier this year needed to show more in the works out in California.