Handicapper Tips & Picks

5-HONOR HIS HALF looks like the only real speed in the race. She fought for the lead in her last start, her local debut, and still held on for second, beaten only a length. Can’t see anyone challenging her for the lead. She might take it all the way. 6-DESSERT FIRST turns back in distance while dropping many levels. Not sure why they ran her in allowance company in that last start but she’s a $5k claimer all day and she’s at that level in this spot. 1-LITTLE SASS finished third in her local debut. That was her first race since October. Runners from her barn often improve greatly in their second start after layoffs and they win 39% of the time. Would expect her to make her best move late.

This race is filled with speed but think 3-MARY’S BOON might hold a slight advantage in that department, although she hasn’t shown a lot of it lately. But she is dropping in claiming price and into a non-winners of two. Seems likely to wake up. 6-CATHOLIC SUE might be the only one in the field that won’t display early speed. She’s turning back in distance after a third-place finish in her first start of the meet. She’s capable of displaying a good closing move which could be enhanced with a possible heated pace ahead of her. Love the tenacity that 1-LION’S LAW displayed in last when breaking her maiden. She truly vied for the lead every step of the way and still managed to eke out a nose victory. Have to appreciate that her barn in bringing her back at the right level. Know she won’t give up without a fight.

Multiple stakes winner 3-ANOTHER MYSTERY looks awfully tough in this spot. With nearly $900,000 in earnings this 9-year-old reeled off four straight wins here in 2024, including a couple stakes. Altogether, he won five of his seven local trips while finishing second in the other two. He’s had six drills since his last start in March. Rested and ready. Like top choice, 5-LAMPLIGHTER JACK has scored 12 lifetime victories, though most of his have been against lesser, though they liked him enough a couple years ago to try him in Grade 1 company. He came from off the pace to finish second in last but he has shown speed in most of his races and it’s that turn of early foot that makes him a possible threat in this spot. 2-FROM THE HEART might possess the biggest closing move. He has raced mostly in Texas and Oklahoma but he does find himself in the late mix more often than not. Makes his first start for this barn and they usually improve runners racing for them.

Not in love with any here so I’ll take a flyer with 7-WHISKEY OR WINE. It’s possible that he’s racing over his head at this level. However, he’s stretching back to a better distance to make his local debut after that one-race experiment sprinting at Tampa. 5-VALIANT WEST, the logical favorite, could easily win this. He’s been in great form anyway and he’s getting blinkers back on. However, he’s always been more of a sprinter and hasn’t fared too well in previous routes. Could be vulnerable. 8-JOURNEY could be sent right to the lead. He tired in his first race of the year but came back with an outstanding four-furlong drill. There is a chance that he could be leading throughout.

Eleven-year-old 3-CHANNEL ONE just might hold the edge. He tired late in his first start since September back in March but he’s been training well since. He’s been a turf sprint specialist. Good tactical speed will keep him close early but it’s his ability to finish well that makes him the selection today. 10-DINO’S DIXIE could be the best of the speed. He tired late in his first two races of the year but both were against tougher. He wired the field the last time he raced here last year. Might be able to do the same thing today. 8-GRAND HIDEAWAY, like top choice, owns decent speed but will probably wait until the stretch before unleashing his best effort. He outfinished Channel Won to score in a similar race last year. Wouldn’t be too surprised if he did it again.

6-CODE RUNNER seems most likely. He split better fields in his first two starts of the year and now he’s dropping to the lowest level of his career. There should be plenty of early pace which should help to set things up for his late run. 1-TWO COOKIE RULE has always run well here despite a case of seconditis locally. But he’s dropping once more and escaping the shadow of hard-knocking Danville. Like that he’s capable of running well on or off the pace. Could be a major player either way. 4-WILDWOOD’S WARRIOR was never involved in his last start but, if he fires today, he’s likely to be among the early leaders. He was narrowly defeated two races back when taking on similar company.

8-SEMPER PRIMUS might not sport fast drills but you know his barn will have him ready to rock. It is a bit surprising to see a $475k auction purchase make his debut here but this barn places their runners where they can win. 1-TAUNTING had a couple good races here last year. He was expected to improve in last, his first start of 2025, but he got into a ton of traffic trouble at the start and never really recovered. Runners from his barn often improve in their second start after layoffs. Guessing he’ll bounce back with a strong effort in he can get a clean trip. 2-CRECENCIO is another first timer. His long series of drills, some of them quite fast, would seem to imply that he’s ready for a top effort at first asking.

Obviously, you never really know how a race will play out until it does. 7-DOUBLE BURN has a decent turf pedigree but his barn, as great as they are in other categories, just hasn’t had a lot of recent success on the lawn. But this gelding looks like the only legitimate speed in this race and he utilizes a rider that is always good on the front end. Has been racing at Oaklawn so this group could be a bit softer than those he’s been facing. Has to be caught. 6-RED RIZZLER is in good form and he has raced well on grass. He has enough speed to stay within range of top choice. He might be the first to move if Double Burn runs out of gas. 4-BERKUS hasn’t shown a lot since getting claimed by this barn but his recent races have been on dirt. He debuted on turf in Louisiana and, as a longshot, finished fifth of 11 in that maiden special, beaten only three lengths. His pedigree does say turf. He could be though for the teal of Rivelli and Loveberry.