Handicapper Tips & Picks

#4 BLAZING AFFAIR has consistently recorded the highest speed figures in the field and with the change in class a major contender on those factors. The significant drop here knowingly comes with the claim attached and unlike others looking for the solitary purpose, the win, they could hold other intentions.

The class change also comes into play for #5 REACH’NFORRAINBOWS coming out of the Oaklawn meet though looking at today’s par catches a higher par than those three other events.

The inside trio all return from the 5/7 common race and going back to that race #1 NIGHT ROSE projects to be the shorter of the group, despite still needing to run faster races, the knock earlier this month and similar back in this spot. Both B. Cook runners #2 BALLYBAY BEAUTY and #3 SPIRIT TO INSPIRE bring upside in their owns ways and could look for the front wrap removal here while capable of returning to their better efforts, numbers on par with BLAZING AFFAIR. 

#3 COACH JIMI D deserving of respect in this spot finding the class DROP and PREP returning from the layoff on 4/17 at Oaklawn sprinting. They return under allowance and route conditions at Hawthorne with a near perfect record over the course and distance in the three starts from 2024 – the return to this circuit looks to be intent to regain competitive form and confidence.

#1 GIANT MOON brings in conditioning from the Oaklawn meet and key change in class to compete. Intent looks in play with the class DROP and return to route distance along with the weight break to suggest assertive handling from the rail, even the removal of front wraps could be a another positive signal here. Their presence in this race should make things tougher on rivals #4 PRINCE DAY coming out of a LONE win and new top just 12-days ago and similar for #5 SPONGE BATH while dominant B+ worked HARD to get the win and some REGRESS-ion could be projected.

J. Haran also represented with #2 DYNAMIS in this spot. Both horses with tactical speed in their own right though could see DYNAMIS in a stalking role here. They tend to follow the “every other” pattern and giving up some recency coming off the 66-day break into this race under conditions which allow them to run protected. 

#3 LICENSE TO STEAL could be looking to do just that with their early speed and wheeling back from a near “excuse” fractious in the GATE and stumbled out (TROUBLES+) returning from the break on 5/7. They look to hold intent for this spot back in at the claiming level, while in light and should be assertive with all those factors coming together along with a HOT barn.

#6 HAWAIIAN HIDE AWAY also appears well-intended for this third start back off the layoff and rider change. While they did not have any excuse on 5/10 tracking a Slow early/late pace. Overall conditioning still could have been lacking in that spot and now cycling back to a top in their form cycle pattern should be the right time and place.

Trip and pace must be considered for #1 VINO COURAGIO with their preferred off the pace runstyle. They tried to race closer to the pace on 5/10 to establish position and while changing things up (TACTIC-) the intent was in play. That should also assist with fitness and progressive Grades and figures should be in the right spot for a top effort.

Looking at OptixPLOT, tough to not at the least mention #2 ANCIENT MAN at longer odds. While they could require a race off the layoff, keeping them on the radar is wise and same for underneath use. 

Recency sides with the two outside runners with races this season in contrast to the layoff returnees and 6yo #3 QUIET DEPUTY the lone first time starter. F. Reyes sticks with #6 SIG FORTY FIVE projected to move up with the class DROP on 5/17 and a look right back forced to chase front running open length even money chalk winner, Last Moon on the day. The change in class should move up #5 STREET STYLE naturally and should hold fitness from the two start this year including the WIDE run over the turf three weeks ago.

#2 FREEDOM EMPIRE finds a significant change in class with late technical DQ drop their maiden win last April to return to the maiden condition. The change in class should move them up naturally as well and early speed shown in those sprint races could see them as the one to catch up front. The big test all around is fitness from the layoff noting 241-days away and showing just the two published works one on 4/5 and then more than a month later in the recent 5/14 move. 

#4 R U JOKING will shift to the turf for the first time and just a second start in open company. They caught a very tough group closing out 202, racing under the lights and with the layoff following, not going to hold that “effort” against them too harshly. Some intent looks in play with the steady works, picking this spot and a live turf rider with L. Colon aboard.

#1 KING OF SHEBA has some hurdles taking on older and winners for the first time, though showed ability and solid speed figure on debut. The intent from the entries was run on the turf first out and has that surface switch and rider change with J. Loveberry aboard to work a trip from the inside.

#7 URBAN RULER takes a slight step up off the win and claim two weeks ago. With those changes they also move to the outside spot and back numbers and class finds this closer to a lateral change. They should also sit as longer odds compared to stablemate #2 JOE THE TAILOR coming off the recent win as well and stepping up in class as a result. 

#4 RAG TREE should hold value in this spot with buried turf form (career and field high speed figure over the turf back in August 2024) and taking on winners for the first time. Physcially they look the part of the a TURF runner going back to their second career start and carried visually from the dominant B+ MSW win two weeks ago.

#7 NITSCHKE also steps up to take on winners though like the move up with the class change on 5/10 they should hold their form here and compete right back. With each race there has been speed figures progression, something to note with age and reading between the layoff lines.

#6 CASH APP MIKE has been at their career best over the Hawthorne turf course and appears intent returning in this  spot off a slight brushing. They raced under similar conditions back on 11/2 that race stepping up against winners for the first time and on a very quick 7-day turnaround, a contrast coming in fresh from the 83-day break here. Their M. Perez stablemate #1 WOLF HUNTER would not be any big surprise while some longshot characteristics in play and require price compensation to keep an eye on the board.

#3 FRONTIER MARSHAL still must overall improve to compete for the top spot though getting the PREP just 10-days ago and returning to the turf and two-turn distance, a move forward can be projected. 

#7 CANYON STREAK should hold value in this spot while coming back off the layoff. They turned in a B OptixGRADE closing out the 2025 season and claimed out of that race makes their belated return for the new connections and slight step up while condition eligible presents intent.

Their former stablemate #5 MOOGIE SON projects to get a lot of attention here and for valid reasons. They have held their form and figures overall and returning under similar conditions second off with a likely change in dynamic* here perhaps even the S. Childers pair of noting they chase behind front running winner, Not Falling Back on 5/14.

#2 TOWERING STORM overall should compete back in this spot and  look all around. While they will give up recency off the layoff and still must return to top form something they have struggled with since the clam last year though two be far both races WIDE trips with the higher race par in play at the FG to note in addition to the freshening which followed.

* The change in dynamic brings in other pacesetters such as #1 ALADANTE, #6 LITTLE STEVEN and even the S. Childers attack pair of #3 PONCHO ATTACK and #8 MAN ON ATTACK.