Handicapper Tips & Picks

T 10 Machthenight 9 Gymboree 8 My Ballykeel

P 6 Glenboro 5 Blue Pacific 4 So Much More

P 3 Nikki Sixx 5 Powder Play 8 Betternotmachme

P 5 Moving On Over 3 Rollex 4 Get A Room

P 10 Charmbo Stormy 5 Red Carpet Ready 1 Coz Im Special

P 5 Vendetta Blue Chip 2 My Last Kiss 3 Saulsbrook Annie

P 3 Raptors Won 5 Coco Jo Jo 6 Goudawon

P 9 Saulsbook Abbey 1 Chickabell 3 Tribal Dancer

P 2 West Alexis 1 Th Sandra Dee 6 Superior Delight

T 3 Deliciousstone Dk 2 Buck Dancer 1 Mister Magic

P 1 Swift Talker 6 Miss Dutton 9 Grit N Grace

#4 COLLECTED GLORY has found herself at higher conditions this season and the drop should move them up in as good a time as ever following the recent pair of place finishes. While they fit on form, class and speed figure to compete in this race, trip will still be key with today’s race shape and their lack of early speed. By contrast #5 DESSERT FIRST should have the race shape in their favor in terms of runstyle though find another class test and closer to a lateral class change in this second start of the season and rise from the place finish back in Dec at FG. The class change is closer to a lateral move for #3 SISTER ELLA and lacks an edge on that front and could get attention based on the connections to fall into underlay territory.

#8 OPPOSITE THE CROWD finds a similar change to COLLECTED GLORY as she returns here and slight 33-day freshening first off the claim. That could be key as not only were the front wraps added in the two recent start but also found TROUBLE_S in both the Jan and Feb races most significantly back in January.

#9 LEGALLY CHARITABLE turned in a competitive effort under similar conditions last month and should find this second off time the right one for her to compete. She has some early speed to find position in this race and from the outside post to work a trip. 

The majority of the field raced back on 2/16 with #1 SPITE LITE coming out of a different race a split division and perhaps the stronger race of the split division. She came back following on 3/2 with an X_WIDE trip from the outside post going a mile distance, unable to compete two weeks ago and claimed and shortening up could be overlooked here off the recent two running lines.

#4 COLLECTED GLORY has found herself at higher conditions this season and the drop should move them up in as good a time as ever following the recent pair of place finishes. While they fit on form, class and speed figure to compete in this race, trip will still be key with today’s race shape and their lack of early speed. By contrast #5 DESSERT FIRST should have the race shape in their favor in terms of runstyle though find another class test and closer to a lateral class change in this second start of the season and rise from the place finish back in Dec at FG. The class change is closer to a lateral move for #3 SISTER ELLA and lacks an edge on that front and could get attention based on the connections to fall into underlay territory.

#8 OPPOSITE THE CROWD finds a similar change to COLLECTED GLORY as she returns here and slight 33-day freshening first off the claim. That could be key as not only were the front wraps added in the two recent start but also found TROUBLE_S in both the Jan and Feb races most significantly back in January.

#9 LEGALLY CHARITABLE turned in a competitive effort under similar conditions last month and should find this second off time the right one for her to compete. She has some early speed to find position in this race and from the outside post to work a trip. 

This race is tricky from the race shape as there are many in this field that have shown early speed though not always consistent in that role. Part of the entry #1A LADY OF DEVON likely showed early speed given the rise in class coming of a win and with her stablemate #1 BERTIE’S CAUSE in the field – one that can sit close than the trip back on 2/28 where she was up against the race shape to compete and to her credit turned in a WIDE CLOSE finish. Arrieta had been aboard in the bast with the pair of wins last season and no concern with that rider swap here.

#7 CHARMONTE makes a belated return and first off the claim since the January race they were claimed out of a race where they were not asked in hand (NO_PUSH) from off the pace unable to run their race on the day and that event has been mildly productive with three next out winners, two of those in this race with #6 KITIARA and #8 ICY RIVER.

Following Race 1 we should have a better grasp of the form line from the 2/16 claiming race that #9 BACKED BY GOLD exits with the group returning from that common race, not an impossible horse to make the case for though a step up all the same and following a win and the connections will find public attention and potential underlay. 

#9 DOUBLEDADDY ISSUES was training strongly leading up to the debut last month and arguably best on the day settling for place – a photo for the win. They come right back under similar conditions and the horse to beat looking to give COLD rider K. Harr their first win of the season.

DOUBLEDADDY ISSUES has the edge from the group returning from the 2/17 common race with the outcome similar for both #5 CALL SADIE and #8 TOODLE LOO both still needing to show a little more for this level to be considered contenders though consistent enough to stick around for a share. #6 MEMORY MAKER should be overlooked noting an EX in that common race from the adversity at the break (SLOG, TROUBLE_S) and in running TROUBLE making a WIDE MOVE and overall can IMPROVE off the visuals.

In terms of the FTS #3 SKY HIGH ANGEL can still be a bit green from the gate even as they added blinkers for the move on 3/15 though did show early speed and visually a “need the lead” type that should be out there contesting the pace. The barn does not sent out many debut runners and in the six sample 1 win one place in a photo for the win, both of those runners with Santana aboard.  #1 MINISTRY’S DESTINY earned a bullet from the gate on 3/6 and did not catch how she broke from the gate, something that will be key with the rail draw though was moving on her own after the opening ¼ for the rest of the drill. The barn with Bacon aboard connected with another FTS earlier this meet in Stephanie Starfish one that also had a published half mile gate bullet leading up to their debut. 

#1 TWAS LOLA find class relief for the first time this season and could be they key for her to compete and find the right group. She has been a tougher horse to establish who she is and where she fits going back to her debut win last year at HAW over an off track around two turns and lacked attention with the 8-1 score in the Rivelli barn at the time.

#3 CHICA ARMA fits as a logical type holding her form and figures this season while at the higher N2 claiming level and should move up naturally with this change in class. The 3/7 race she wheels back from did not have a lot of change in running order and in terms of pace here the lead should be contested with the outside runners bringing in early speed and should be kept honest by the sophomores #4 MY KINDA TROUBLE and #5 MOVE IT MARY.

#2 NO PAY NO HAY is tough to knock with the consistency at this level to find themselves in the mix again today though some racing luck still required on the win end. She shares a common running line with #6 SPARKLY going back to last year at TDN with the maiden races. Sharing those form lines and the change in class for SPARKLY here could see her competitive in this group and higher of the two. 

#6 WHO LU is not the most likely though should hold the double digit morning line and worth getting creative with in this spot. Going back to last season she recorded one of the higher figures in the field in the February race to suggest she is fast enough to compete with this group and at that time was in higher race par events. The connections used a similar third start pattern for the stretch out in distance closing out the year in April. While that race perhaps not her best in terms of number and outcome, was part of the Fast early pace and then had the layoff that followed. WHO LU has shown improvement with each start this year in terms of speed figures with the foundation for the return to the two turn distance and comes out of a productive 2/16 race with two next out winners.

#1 LOVE ME A SUNSET moved up with the class drop last month and should continue to hold form in this spot again in MCL company and softer race par from the three starts this season. While she did set the pace and a LONE lead lacking NO_FINISH on 2/14 the Fast early and late race shapes present an upgrade and back at the rail should take up a similar role here.

Rival#8  SHE’S A READER found a similar trip from the early with the EASY_LEAD two weeks ago and closer to a lateral change in class returning here along with #9 OPEN FLAME one that should have an honest pace to chase given those proven rivals and the majority of the field stretching out in distance – factors that should present OPEN FLAME her best chance to clear this maiden level, especially when it comes down to trip. 

#5 J J’S RANGER can be upgraded in this second start off the layoff and in terms of race flow an upgrade as part of the Fast early pace. They will also move off the rail, a post that has been problematic for them in the past and might have forced their hand in terms of runstyle three weeks ago. J J’S RANGER should hold value and in contrast to the projected favorite #10 EXPRESS CRUISER coming back from that 2/28 common race.

 There are no major knocks on EXPRESS CRUISER in this race other than the expected shorter odds looking at alternatives though certainly the type that can be included. #6 EL QUESO GRANDE also would not be a shock though finds closer to a lateral move into this race and has shown some gate issues, the pattern of SLOG to factor in terms of value.

#2 MIGHTY MESSAGE will make a belated return to a one turn distance and could be the right move for this individual. In terms of their current form, that could further assist along with timing and placed at the right level for their abilities. Following the 1/24 claim they had an EX with the 2/24 trip paired with the placement and timing less than ideal wheeling back in just 6 days for the 3/2 start upgraded with the race flow.

#9 GOLD BARON is again a legitimate longshot though one that finds a lateral change in race par and current form has held competitive. Gate issues has been a pattern playing a role with the EX on 2/17 and a SLOG on 3/1 making an MOVE SAVED with TROUBLE potentially impacting their outcome. 

#8 WILL BE finds their way back to the main track and appears intent not only with that change but also showing up on this circuit. D’Amato over the years has been selective bringing in horses to Oaklawn and can have a live one ready to go and overall success pairing up with Vazquez.

#9 GO WEST GO comes into this race as a lightly raced 4yo with form and figures that fit on par while moving off the inside for the first time this meet. They have been protected after the $50k MCL win back in December and following a similar form cycle pattern should at the least hold their conditioning if not step up second off noting a 43-day freshening into the 3/7 start. His overall form and runstyle looking at OptixPLOT is nearly identical to #10 PLAUSIBLE DENILE with GO WEST GO projected higher odds between the two.

#5 MIRACLE WORKER finds a lateral change in terms of class though a spot where they can race protected after the 2/16 start when in for the $50k tag. As fast as the trip  they used their early speed and part of the DUEL a slight change from their prior starts when tracking the pacesetter and falling into first run.

In terms of the first off the claim M. Shirer pair the case can be made for both: #1 NORTHERN CHILL has been their most competitive when able to find the lead and minimal pressure something that worked ideally picking up the win just two weeks ago with that very scenario. #3 DAZZLEMESILVER might have just regained some confidence with the win dropping down for the $16k tag in a conditional claiming event last month to hold in a BLANKET at the wire. While this can be taken as a step up in class DAZZLEMESILVER has held their own under similar conditions/par and purse in the past and just tends to run their race

David Jacobson sends out a pair with #1 PIQUANT the most established making their return to Oaklawn following a credible showing (B) in the N1 allowance two weeks ago at TP finishing together at the wire with pacesetting winner, Big Vince. They seem to prefer a Fast pace or at least and honest pace to CLOSE into and should find that scenario here. #9 HAUNTED FLAME is softer number wise though to their credit has shown improvement race-to-race and still lightly raced showing up for this sophomore debut where they could in theory have another move forward in them. They were entered under similar conditions back on 1/26 and comes into this race with a very long work tab one that appears to have been on the grounds working since the first part of the meet. 

In terms of ML favorites #2 DREAMINBLUE respect the change in class (DROP) from the Rebel (G2) and the figure recorded for the MSW win in January and #6 PERFECT FORCE with the strong figure in the sophomore debut and MSW score last month. Though the pair still hold questions on class yet to show they can pair the higher speed figures and do so consistently and that one race number aside they lack an edge; and as a result value over others in this field.

#9 WILDNCRAZYNIGHT will get another look in this spot and from the races this season. The return off the layoff in the Renaissance stakes was a tougher spot and turned in a BTL effort with a less than ideal trip from the ride/TACTIC- to the SLOG to the in running TROUBLE. Off the effort they had a big look and public support in the Ozark, a race lost out of the gate, a TROUBLE_S RUSH into TRAFFIC before making a WIDE MOVE X_BIAS playing a role in the outcome. The connections looking to change things up not only with the move out of stakes company but also picking up a rider change with Issac Castillo aboard.

#4 R HEISMAN will make a return to the sprint distance, a distance here they have been more effective than the route races and figures as of late. The race over the course last month should provide conditioning and appears to have come out of the race well working twice at OP since including the bullet half mile on 3/10.

#5 BABY BOAT did not visually appear race ready coming out on the track to make their seasonal debut on 2/1. He ran to those visuals breaking SLOG getting SHUFFLE and overall not a competitive race on the day with the 4^th place outcome. To their credit their earned a figure credible on return and with a move forward from the 2yo numbers should be on par for this level and group.

#1 NACHO BAR will have to reheat those nachos from the debut to compete with this group though that was an impressive race making a RUSH and sustained MOVE to go on to win at the shorter sprint distance by open lengths last June. The return two weeks ago should provide fitness given a WIDE trip while in against older, just one of two 3yo in the field just overall must take a big step forward though not totally discounting this horse. 

#8 FROSTED DEPARTURE is a legitimate longshot though not a totally crazy one getting back to prior form and figures and perhaps the ONE TURN is the key to just that. He did run at the one turn in the Cherokee Mile back in December a flow upgrade as part of the DUEL and fast early pace. In terms of the 6f distance, FROSTED DEPARTURE won the Renaissance Stakes over this course and distance during his juvenile campaign with a figure that stacks up on par.

#2 RUN CLASSIC might have needed the race last month coming off a two month break and notable acting up fractious in the GATE while on track made a WIDE MOVE X_FLOW as rivals #6 DURANTE and #12 GLENGARRY set the pace running 1-2 throughout, noting fellow common rival #1 RYVIT did not try to use their tactical speed on the day and today might not have other options with the rail draw. The race shape and early pace should be honest here and assist RUN CLASSIC for a trip as well as the added mental and physical conditioning.

#11 RED FLAG makes their way back to Oaklawn and the dirt keying off the win back in January, a race with a similar par and competitive recorded figure along with trip that could find a similar dynamic here.