Handicapper Tips & Picks

2-SPIRIT TO INSPIRE was claimed from a narrow loss in her first start of the meet. She had been racing competitively at Oaklawn prior to that race. This race is a sixteenth longer but she fought gamely all the way to the finish in that last race so think she’ll be able to handle the extra distance. 5-NIGHT ROSE graduated in her career debut. She withstood considerable pressure on the front end after getting pinched off at the start. She might be able to put away the rest of the speed in this race, especially if she gets away cleanly. 4-ESCOVEDO makes her first start of the year. However, she has been training well and her barn is generally good with layoff runners. 

This race will be contested at five furlongs on the main track.

4-KING OF SHEBA makes his career debut. Well-bred runner races for a barn with a high percentage of winners with their first-time starters. This one sports sharp drills coming into his first start. The distance should suit perfectly. 7-THIS BEAU KNOWS turns back in distance for his first start of the meet. He finished second in a pair of turf routes in Florida to start 2026 but he did finish third, sprinting, in his career debut here last year. However, not sure he’ll stay in the race with the switch to the main track. 8-CHIEF MORTOR races for the first time since July. He’s had three straight bullet drills in preparation for this race. Gets Lasix for the first time. On dirt or turf he’s going to be tough. Probably off turf so 9-MY LAST ESCAPADE draws in. He’s hypothetically moving up in class but he has finished in the money in his last seven races. It would be a mistake to count him out.

4-WAMPUS KITTEN seeks her second straight victory and there’s a good chance she’ll get it. She wired four other rivals in that last contest. However, she’ll be meeting others here with speed and the end results could change if she faces a lot of pressure early. 2-DIXIE PENNY raced well to finish second to top pick in last. However, although she is quick, she was unable to keep up with that rival early. But with others in here like to push that likely favorite, her ability to track the pace and come on late will come into play. 3-DIAMONDS JOY, like top pick, wired the field in her first start of the meet. She could be as quick as top choice but she has been meeting somewhat easier rivals. That could be the determining factor in a possible speed duel.

Nice race. On paper, it would seem that the likely winner would be one of two runners, Eli’s Promise or Heart N Soul but, in reality, the likely outcome could be murkier. Going to give 5-ELI’S PROMISE the nod. He’s had considerable success on this track, he’s done well at the distance, and he has the kind of tactical speed that can handle any pace. 6-HEART N SOUL doesn’t seem quite as quick as top choice but that something that could work in his favor. He’s never shown a big closing move but he could wear down those fighting for the early lead. 2-CALL ME Q is hard to gauge. At one point he might have been the quickest of these and he did win his last three starts. However, he hasn’t raced in about 16 months. Can’t be sure what he has left. 4-BABY BOAT never fired in his last start at Oaklawn but he was making his first start in 10 months. He started his career here in the fall of 2024, winning his first two races by daylight. 3-CAN DO ANDREW, teammate of Call Me Q, seems likely try for the lead. He tired late in his first start of the year at Keeneland, but he should be better prepared to last in this contest. 1-SMOKEN BOY was highly regarded early and won multiple stakes but it’s been a while since he was that kind of horse. But three of his four victories, including both stakes, were scored on “off” tracks. Maybe.

This race will be contested at one mile and 70 yards on the main track.

Don’t know who will scratch when this race comes off the turf but pretty sure 1-THE THUNDERER will stay in the race. He showed little in his first race after getting claimed by this barn but he had a pair of wins and a neck loss in his prior three races, all at Oaklawn. This should be an easier, not easy, group. Expecting him to bounce back with a better effort. 11-OLIVERIO takes on better but he won his last two races, one here and the other in Louisiana, he runs well on or off the lead, and both his barn and rider are off to torrid starts. He was entered for main track only. The speedy 6-GRAND ILLUSION runs well on either surface so expect him to stay in the race. He’s quick enough to grab the early lead and could stay there throughout if he can relax a bit on the front end.

This speed-filled race could be the perfect setup for 1-OFF TO THE RACES. He was favored in his first start of the meet and finished with good energy but couldn’t get there. With an even faster early pace predicted ahead of him, he might be able to make amends. 3-FINDAWAY was overmatched in his final start of 2025 but he’s dropping back to the right level for this. He’s had four drills coming into this and progressing the right way. Could be the sleeper. 4-ALL ABOUT TONITE had little chance after a poor start, but he meets a bit easier and races with the benefit of that race. Could hold off the rest of the speed. 

This race will be contested at one mile and 70 yards on the main track.

Quite often these turf races contain mostly “dirt” runners that after just trying out the lawn. This field is a rare exception. 3-CODE RUNNER, with 10 dirt wins with over $200k in dirt earnings, might hold the advantage. He’s moving up in class but dirt prowess and good form probably makes him the one to beat. 5-SPONGE BATH was eased in his last start at Fair Grounds but walked off on his own. He’s had limited starts on dirt but with mostly decent results. 8-PEOPLE FORCE was claimed from a dominating victory in his local debut. He jumps in class but could turn out to be the best of the speed.