Handicapper Tips & Picks

2-LA REYNITA, at least on paper, looks best by far. She races for the current top barn, she has been racing and racing well down in Louisiana (where the alligators grow so mean lol), and she appears to be the most consistent speed. Three drills since her last start should ensure current fitness. Can outlast the rest. 1-PEACOCK ROAD might be a little harder to gauge. She has also been racing consistently but most of her recent races were on synthetic. But she is the best closer in this short field and it’s possible the other three will be fighting for the lead.  3-KEEN GAL, stablemate of top choice, graduated on opening day. She could be as quick as top choice and her rider is strong on the front end.

3-EUCLID AVENUE can awaken with the drop in class and the recent race behind him. He was good here last year and could return to form with the move back to Hawthorne, though he will be racing for different connections. 4-REGIMENTAL needs to show far more than he did in last but he’s another who should move up with the benefit of the recent trip. His barn and rider are atop the standings. Could add to their success with this one. 1-ELECTRIC CHARGE ended 2025 on a winning note. He has had a couple decent drills coming into his first start of the year but fitness might be questionable.

Not sure what to make of 1-AL MUSTANEERA. She just missed in her career debut but then came back to dominate the second field she faced while making her first start of 2026. However, she was a $500,000 purchase and she races for top-notch connections and it seems a bit strange that she isn’t racing on a major circuit. But won’t argue with success. 3-SPINNING GLORY seems most likely. She does own good speed and has had two good races and a strong local drill so far this year. She raced primarily on turf but did finish second in her lone dirt try. 2-SMOKED is the quickest of these but this teammate of Spinning Glory has had only one workout in 2026. Think she’ll grab the early lead but don’t know how long she’ll stay there.

Not in love with any in here but have to go with 3-NIGHT ROSE. Her barn does well with first timers, she has had plenty of drills getting ready, and none of her rivals have ever been really competitive. 2-I’M HUNGOVER drops and turns back in distance. She sprinted only once in her 10 races and that was her debut on turf versus maiden specials. She just might be far more effective at this level on the main track. 5-D’ ARGONAUT was never competitive in her first local start of the year but she was in too deep. Drops to a better level. However, she had a couple races at this level in the past and failed to impress. Maybe this year. 

1-BONIFIED CRAZY never finished closer than 14 lengths back but he’s never been in this easy. Has to be better at this level, doesn’t he? 2-KUZ I CAN MAN is another trounced in every race but his last race was his best race. Think he’ll show far more for his new barn. Guessing 4-GRAY MIKE will need a race and he is making his 30^th start as a maiden but he did finish in the money in three of his last four starts. 5-STORM BACK is probably better going long on the lawn but recent turn-up race at Oaklawn could give him an edge. 

5-TIZ CHINA takes a big drop in class. This filly was good here at two. She is plenty quick but might not be first from the gate. Worked a bullet recently. She could be ready for these. 1-SHARP ATTACK has been working very well coming into her first start of the year. She’s another pretty quick from the gate but is also comfortable just tracking the early pace. 3-MARY MOONGLOW might be first from the gate. She’s also been training well and, in addition, gets the current leading rider back in her irons.

Going to give 5-JET FLIGHT edge. Like most in here he has had only limited drills but he was a very consistent competitor racing at or near this level last year and he could show even more in this barn. Not sure one slow three-furlong drill will have 4-LATIN CASINO fit but he is likely the quickest of these and at this short-sprint distance, he could be fit enough to last. 2-VIA DEL CORSO just missed in his final start of 2025 after dueling for the lead. His first few works of 2026 weren’t much but he turned up the lead in last. It was especially impressive because he worked out of the gate. He might be overlooked in this spot. Don’t take him lightly.