Handicapper Tips & Picks

CAPTAIN'S FLAG may provide a little value in a tough race to start the meet. He has run well over this track in the past and drops back to a level where he has been competitive. 2-SHAMAN SEZ is the one to beat if he gets back to his races from last summer. His issue has been poor starts in his last two races. If he gets away clean, he will be tough to catch. 1-TALLAPOOSA drops to the lowest level of his career as he draws the rail. He has just a couple of works toward the return but may be ready to handle five furlongs.

Have to think 7-BERKUS (FR) will be tough as he comes in from New Orleans and takes the class drop for last season's leading trainer. Loveberry returns to ride this meet and fitness shouldn't be an issue for this one. 5-PLUNDER has been running in Kentucky throughout the winter as he comes in off the claim. He just missed in his last as the only concern is if five furlongs will be enough distance for his closing kick. 1-TEAM TROY has tactical speed as he also comes in off the claim. He posted an improved effort in his last and figures to contend throughout in here.

This looks to be a winning spot for 5-BREAKOUT STAR as he comes in fit from recent races in Ohio. Bermudez takes the call as this one has been able to rate closer in recent races. 4-MYSTIFIER drops after facing tougher at Oaklawn in his last three. He takes the blinkers back off today but may still look to get into the race a bit earlier. 7-SLAVA UKRAINI has run his best over this track throughout his career. His best efforts have come when on the front end. Let's see if he is sent away to try to clear from the outside today.

Off the recent consistency, 3-STARINA looks to be sitting in a good spot in here. She was facing open company in New Orleans and holding her own. Loveberry has ridden in the last two and gets the return call in here. Her two starts over this surface have been sharp as she will take a ton of action today. 6-MO SMOKING is another who has been at her best over this track. She showed improved speed in back to back wins here last summer and comes in off a solid second at Fair Grounds in her last. Expect her to stalk and look to pounce in the lane. 5-CURLS NITE OUT merits a look off her maiden score two back in a race that came off the grass. She rated closer in that spot and battled to the wire. If she can stalk Mo Smoking early and get the jump on Starina late, she has a shot to pull off the upset.

A very tough race closes the Early P4 and P5 and is part of the late wagers as more than half this field can win in here. Gave the nod to 3-ONE WAY HOME as the 10 year old still tries hard and has had success over this track and at this distance. He has tactical speed in a race where the other pace is to the outside and Bendezu has ridden him well in the past. Maybe we catch a bit of a price today. 9-HATCHET CREEK is another that has run well at Hawthorne and will provide some value. He's been able to get a couple of works toward his return and should be ready today. 7-ONE PUTT RICHIE is the second Martinez entrant in here as Mojica is back aboard. He won with him last August and should be in a good stalking spot.

No real standout in here as I'll look to the one turning back in distance in 1-CUMBERLAND FALLS. She draws the rail as she comes off the claim. She chased on the drop in her last but I feel the seven furlong sprint effort at Churchill last fall was one of her better performances. Let's see what she shows us in here. 6-FLATHEAD FINALE has tactical speed as she is consistently right there late. She ran well from an outside draw in her last and was able to get a work at Fairmount leading into this race. Expect her to be a factor once again.4-WILDWOOD ADIOS is another that should rate close. She ran well while at a big price at Turfway last December and has worked twice toward this start. Expect her to rate just off the pace in here.

Two horses coming out of the same race at Oaklawn in their last, finding an easier spot in here. Went to the longer price of 1-DIXIE PENNY as she draws the inside and should be looking to clear from the rail. The last time she was in for this price was a win last summer at Fairmount. She should move up if we get some rain as well. 4-BE MY BESTIE was the other in that Oaklawn race as she chased the pace after battling during the loading process. She has run well at Hawthorne and at this distance. The price play could be 10-AWESOME SUNDAY as she will be charging in the lane. She has a win at this distance and worked twice after a start at the end of January in Ohio. Expect her to be flying late.