Handicapper Tips & Picks

5-RACING THE LIGHT ran well in both starts last year, finishing third in her debut here and then heading to Indiana to finish second. She’s making her first start since October but she has been training very well. Like most of her rivals, she’ll be trying turf for the first time. She owns pretty good speed. Would expect her to be an early factor throughout. 3-WILD DREAMS tired in her debut, a race contested at this distance on turf, but she’s dropping to an easier level while racing with turf experience. Wheels back quickly, seven days, which might or might not be a factor. But she is probably the quickest of these. Might not get caught. 6-RED REGRET makes her career debut. She’s another that has been training well and she might possibly be bred the best for turf.

Pretty open race but I’m going with 6-ELECTRIC CHARGE. He finished behind a couple of these runners in last but he was racing for the first time since October and runners from his barn often improve dramatically in their second start after layoffs, to the tune of 42% winners. If the field stays intact, there should be plenty pace to set up for his late run. 3-REGIMENTAL, the other closer in here, finished a few lengths in front of top choice in that race. He moved earlier and better than Electric Charge. He does own better speed than top choice so that could give him the advantage if the early speed tires. 1-SLAVA UKRAINI and 2-GENERAL ISSUE could be fighting it out on the front end.

Not in love with 5-ELIZA VANCE but think she will probably be the best of the speed. Like many in here, she needed last, her first race of the year. With the stretch to a route for the first time, she could be fast enough to build a commanding lead and never look back. 1-UNKEPT PROMISES outran her odds in last when she was stretched out for the first time. She pressed the pace from the start, took the lead briefly and still held on to finish second, two lengths back. She might be fighting for the lead again today. 2-DRAMA SPEAKER went right to the lead in her local debut. She fought early on before fading to fourth. However, that was her first race of the year and she had only a couple of drills going in. Could be better prepared to get the distance in this contest.

1-CHRISTMAS PRESENT has always done well here. He was favored in his first start of the year and ran well enough to finish second. He wasn’t a match for the winner but he was well clear of the third-place finisher. With his style of running, he isn’t pace dependent and can function well no matter that kind of pace develops ahead of him. 8-FIRST MASAMUNE needed last, his first start since August. This late runner should get more than enough pace ahead of him. He should be coming on late. Could get close. 6-JET FLIGHT has had far more routes than sprints but he has done pretty well in his shorter races. Both his races this year were against better. Think he fits well with this group.

This race is filled with speed but I’m going to take a speed runner anyway. 2-LOST SUNSET tired a bit late in last after leading early. But that was her first race of the year and it was a sixteenth farther. She might have to fight for the lead again but she should be fitter than she was in last and she won’t have to fight quite as long in this shorter contest. 9-WRITTEN CONSENT drew away from the field in last, ultimately winning by six. She displayed good speed in that race. However, it’s her ability to close that makes her doubly dangerous in this spot. Could make it two in a row. 3-GO STORMIN GIRL finished behind some of these in her last couple races but she has done so well on this track in the past that it’s hard to count her out, especially with the probable heated pace ahead of her today.

Many of these runners met in last. 2-TEMPER TANTRUM came away with the win. He has now been victorious in seven of his 19 turf contests, including three local turf wins from eight tries. He could get a similar trip today. Can add to his success. 7-WICKED SUPRISE makes his first start since October. His barn hasn’t been that effective with layoff horses lately but this gelding appears to hold a significant speed advantage and he might be able to just lope along on an easy lead. 6-SHADY MCGEE finished second top Temper Tantrum in last. He had closed as well as that rival but didn’t commence his late run in time and wasn’t able to catch up. Might be the first to move today.