Handicapper Tips & Picks

5-WILDWOOD SICILIAN races for the first time this year and he hasn’t been especially good off layoffs, but he had four drills over the last month in preparation and he’s facing one of his easiest fields ever. 4-CORTESE is another making his 2026 debut. Late runner will likely be chasing top pick early but could run that rival down late in the stretch. 3-TWIRLING ROSES might be in a little deep, but he does like racing at this distance and he could finish full of run.

Very competitive race. 1-SINE QUA NON is my selection but it is far from a strong one. He finished sixth in last at Churchill but probably needed the race since it was his first start of the year. In three previous local starts, he won twice and lost the other by a neck. But he does come from off the pace and the short distance of this race could compromise his chances. 5-MONSIEUR CANDY has been racing regularly so should be at the top of his game. He has some versatility but think he’ll be pressing the pace or going right to the lead in this spot. He hasn’t finished out of the money since July. He will be tough. 4-BAL A KAZOO is another who needed last. He hasn’t been as effective recently as he was when he was younger, but his first race of the year wasn’t bad. Expect any move he makes to be late.

5-PEOPLE FORCE was in too tough in his last start, but he did beat a group similar to this in his previous, start. Drops back to the right level. He isn’t likely to get the early lead but should never be far back. 2-LUCKY BOSS tries to make it two in a row. Late runner should get plenty pace ahead of him. Can take them late. 6-U S HONOUR NAP makes his first start of the year. He finished 2025 with three straight second-place finishes. However, those races were for different connections. Not sure how he’ll run for this barn.

4-R BEE GEE has had trouble in every race; at the start in two of three. But she still ran well enough to finish third in her most recent start. This race is a bit shorter. That might work in her favor. 6-BETH’S VENGEANCE finished last in her career debut but that race was originally scheduled for turf and moved to the main track. She was also in a different barn for that contest. Worked a local bullet since. Deserves another chance. 5-VERONICAFORTHEWIN just missed. She was wearing down the winner in that race, but the wire came up too fast. She’s in tougher today but this race is considerably longer and around two turns. It could make the difference.

7-DAISY MAE ATTACK turns back in distance. She won her 2026 debut on dirt but faded late when they stretched her out on turf for her last start. But runners completing the sprint-route-sprint cycle often finish with a ton of run. 6-WILDWOOD ADIOS will be fighting for the lead. She did run well in four of her five turf races. However, she did tire late in all of them and she is likely to face plenty of pressure on the front end today. 2-TIZMEONEMORETIME was in too tough in her first turf start of the year and ran like it. However, she was far more competitive last year when racing against rivals similar to these. Switched barns since last but the class drop should help greatly.

2-SHE STOPPED SHORT could get the trip. She finished second in her last two at this level but the winner of last, who barely beat her, came right back to win again. The pace sets up and the barn has been live. 1-KIND KISMET is another that should be able to close on the heated pace ahead of her. She’s making her first start of the year, but her barn does well with layoff runners and her works show good intent. 4-SHARP ATTACK is almost always in the hunt. She finished third in four of her last five races, dating back to last year. She’ll probably vie for the lead which could compromise her chances, but she just might be able to put them all away and finish with something left.

4-DEL RAYO might try to wire the field. He’s dropping to his easiest field since early last year while trying Hawthorne’s main track for the first time. Makes his second start after a four-month layoff. Could be ready for these. 3-ROCKET HOTSHOT just missed in his first race of the year. He closed in the stretch to take the lead but just failed to last after a stretch duel. But he’ll be fitter for this race. Might not be denied. 2-CONI’S COUP makes his first start of the year. Long series of drills will have him sharp for a barn that brings them back ready. He does love the front end. Might leave the rest behind.