Handicapper Tips & Picks

3-DIAMOND'S JOY has been in poor form this year and she hasn’t raced since February but she did post three recent drills and her barn has been red hot to start the meet and she seems like the only real speed in the race 2-APRIL'S GEM drops back to the right level. She never won in 2025 or 2026 but she often took on better rivals. 4-TIME BREAK isn’t necessarily quick but she’s probably the second quickest to top choice. Could chase that rival all the way around. 

2-ICEBERG SLIM tired badly in his career debut. However, that was a longer race and it took place on the lawn. Came back with a sharp bullet drill. Can’t guarantee that he’ll last the shorter distance of this race but we can assume that he’ll be on the lead for most of it. 3-STROLLINWITHASHLEE has been training forwardly for his career debut. His barn has been solid with first timers. Expecting a strong effort in his career debut. 1-BATTLE WING is the uncoupled stablemate of top choice. She’s a filly facing the boys but has already won the pedigree race. Her barn wins with a high percentage of first timers. Don’t overlook. 

3-TWIRLING ROSES was claimed back by this barn after they lost him in his previous start. He has been highly successful on this track despite always meeting far better. His barn won three on opening day so you know everything they start is ready to run. 2-ALL ABOUT TONITE could be the quickest of these. He won his last start back in November. Stablemate of top choice could be on the lead throughout. 1-RACARINO drops in class for his Hawthorne return. He had a couple recent races at Oaklawn Park against better and finished third in one of them. An effort like that here would make him a top contender.  

1-CODE RUNNER looks tough. He’s had only two drills since his last race in Arizona in January but he has been very successful on this track, winning five of his 11 local tries. There should be plenty of pace to set up for his late style of running. 4-SIXWILLBERICH makes his first start of the year. He has been training well. This versatile runner is capable of racing competitively on or off the pace. 5-AFRICAN WARRIOR could outlast the rest of the speed. He tired late in last but that race a week ago could have set him up perfectly for this one.  

2-COUNT THE GREEN is probably the one to beat. First timer trained forwardly for this spot. Sharp team of Rivelli and Loveberry could have her perfectly placed to win at first asking. 1-CIAO TOMMASO has been off since June and never showed a lot in her three races but she will be meeting Illinois breds for the first time. 5-GOOD YEGG makes her 27^th start as a maiden. However, she has had quite a few races in the past that would make her a major player in this one. Might finally graduate. 

2-MAMBA OUT gets the nod. Fleet mare disappointed as the heavy favorite in last in Louisiana but she did win her prior two races, all at Fair Grounds. She will have to work to get and to keep the lead but think she’s up to the challenge. 4-DIXIE PENNY usually does well here. She has seven local races and finished first or second in six of them. She was beaten at odds-on here last fall, falling victim to Mamba Out. It’s possible the same will happen today. 1-DESERT GLOW is hard to figure. She’s primarily been a turf runner but she has been in good form for a long time and her barn has been red hot so far. Deserves the benefit of the doubt.  

5-FOXY ZORRA appears to hold the advantage. She finished third in her final two starts in Louisiana at the end of 2025 but, prior to that, she had a win and two seconds in her three local dirt races. She’s been training well toward her 2026 debut. There’s a good chance it will be a winning one. 4-SHE STOPPED SHORT seems like the main contender. While she hasn’t been in good form, she continued to race for most of the winter, with her last start coming a month ago. That conditioning edge could make the difference. 3-SKY RAVEN seems like the quickest of these. She tends to run out of gas fairly quickly but, with a commanding lead, she could hang on to lead all the way.