Handicapper Tips & Picks

#7 STOMP surely has to be a frustrating horse for the connections and playing a role in the class drop today. Before they debuted last February at OP they showed ability training in the morning and a solid B- effort with a less than ideal trip (behind their stablemate winner, Hymn) all things considered. That debut was followed up with a layoff, returning for a belated second start in August at ELP and subtle trip on that day with another longer layoff to follow as the one they return from here. 

#1 CAPOVIVO is getting a stiff test taking on stakes company for a second start and facing a solid, seasoned 3yo group. CAPOVIVO made a positive PRERACE+ paddock appearance for their debut here at Hawthorne on 6/7 and dominant B+ with RUSH to the lead and on their own with NO_PUSH cruised to front end open length victory. That appears the plan in this race with turf sprint experience, the rail draw and a young, assertive rider looking to sent and let CAPOVIVO show us all where he fits. 

#1 OOBUBBAKAKAYO has a longshot look as they wheel back second off the layoff and STRETCH out in distance. The connections have used a similar quick turnaround pattern in the past with success - their two most recent wins (June 2025 and Jan 2026) both came off 6-8 day turnarounds and even could look to the 7/31 (2025) DMR turf race off a 6-day return as competitive as well recording a B- OptixGRADE in the BLANKET finish despite the 6th place outcome. 

#3 BACKSTREET EMMA is not a huge number in this field though value as the third choice and arguably the horse to beat. Their numbers recorded last season as a juvenile stack up with some of the consistently stronger in the group and those figures on the turf as they make that return today. The class DROP has been a long time coming since those MSW + stakes races last year along with the two races this year and finding a significant change in par from the higher on 6/13 to much lower than perhaps they have ever raced assigned for today. 

There should be enough early pace and enough price (double digit ML) to give a look to #10 NANTUCKETS DAY in this spot. Class wise this is a subtle change for then overall, while running under similar OCN2 conditioned races last season those events with a higher purse present sneaky class relief here. While not "contender" competitive in those races last season she was consistent speed figure wise and devoid of any Optix "Red" Keywords. Some intent could be in play here second off the layoff and from subtle trip with the rider TACTIC-  held up from off the pace showing run from the back of the pack and returns with a rider change for this race. 

A competitive MSW with many ways to land and for the public to land. While many have shown run and fit on speed figures with little to knock as individuals for the most part they are doing some things new whether running over the turf and/or two turns for the first time. #1 UNFORGETTABLE FACE has the turf route experience and a decent B- effort in that 6/13 start. Some of the issues began at the break SLOG/TROUBLE_S and from there trying to recover (TACTIC-) making a WIDE MOVE. Physically they present as a ROUTER and also doing something new as they shift to age restricted 3yo company after facing 3yo and up (the win and place finishers both 4yo) three weeks ago. 

Both #6 LIKE THE KING and #8 ROSCAR are fine in this spot and fit though less exciting types to take shorter numbers. #4 SEDBURYS SHOST has contender potential as they should be sitting on a peak effort third start of the season and conditioned for this race with the sprint return on 5/17 two-turn turf race three weeks ago and back to the Tapeta routing where they have been at their most competitive with higher recorded figures in the 3yo season. Trying to mix in underneath #3 COOL KISS returning to the route distance second off, and #5 LOST ARK while lacking a win at this level in the past they have been able to stick around for a minor share consistently.