Handicapper Tips & Picks

Likely to see #1 MEGAN'S CLARA get attention coming back from the win last out and could be an underlay (weaker favorite) with potential regression stepping up and timing as she appeared well-intended and "meant" for that race off the layoff. 

#2 WOOHOO JACKIE BLUE could have the intent on her side here returning from the layoff for Schultz. In addition she fits on form both from the turf and hidden main track form here at Oaklawn Park going back to last season. 

#6 BERRY GOOD also comes back in her second start off the layoff with buried Oaklawn Park form and could show improvement with that return race under her belt. #7 SHELL SHOCK will cut back to a sprint from the 3/4 route race, a positive distance change for her. 

#5 I GOT A NAME looks logically placed in this event and with the distance change returning to a sprint. Despite the running line on March 5h she can be upgraded (race flow) contesting a fast pace and staying on as the BOS/Best of the Speed.

#2 BIDOFHONEY also can be upgraded going back to the visuals (IMPROVE) on November 20th to the poor WEATHER conditions and making a RUSH to the lead into a fast (X_FLOW) pace on February 24th. 

#4 DESTINY'S DREAM find some class relief for this second start and could have lost her race (GATE - fractious/reluctant) before it started to suggest a move forward is possible. G. Saez will take over today as Bowen, aboard on debut lands on first time starter, #3 COURT COSTS and given the complexion of this field, it could be the right spot for a debut runner to pop up. 

#7 JAY VEE BEE makes this race interesting as his back class and form (especially here at Oaklawn Park) stands out over the others. With that said, his current form requires a boost and the numbers from Turfway Park must improve to compete.

#1 MAJOR CONTENDER  comes into this race with progressive form in the third start of the form cycle and could sit on that top effort here and first off the claim for Asmussen. #6 MR. CREED could also return to a peak effort as there was regression after the January effort and has been given the 41-days to reset returning for this race. These two could offer value with Diodoro sending out the pair of #4 KISS PRINCIPAL and #8 LIARS CLUB likely to find public attention on the barn change alone. 

#3 GET THROUGH is lighter on numbers though the race shape could flatter his run style working a trip from off the pace. 

Expected favorite #9 THE HEIGHTS returns from a third place effort on March 4th and off a solid number for live connections. While capable he is one that runs "labored" visually and has to be ridden along aggressively something that is not shown just with the run line alone. 

That could open the door for others to step up for the top spot. #1 BRIARTOWN ships in for Calhoun and back to a route distance. Keying off the January route race, he was running at the Special Weight condition that day and caught a solid group including two that are entered in the Louisiana Derby (G2), Single Ruler and Baseline Beater. 

Intention could be in play for #4 BEN DREAMING as he makes his second start off the layoff and first in for the maiden claiming tag. They might have been looking to "give" him a race on March 4th off the bench not asked (NO_PUSH, TACTIC-) while kept widest/X_WIDE on the track. #5 TEXAS TED also could be sitting on his peak effort here in the third start with progress race-to-race and with the distance change (GALLOP+ on debut) making his route debut. 

#1 AMERICAN SMOOTH will make his third start off the layoff and capable of running back to a top effort with fitness on his side and overlooked off the February 26th race result. #7 TOUCH CODE returns and in an "every other" pattern projects to run back to a top, a race that makes him competitive in today's field. 

#3 STREET ART appears well meant making his first start on this circuit and for Brad Cox taking over the training from the recently retired, Bill Spawr. This will be his Oaklawn debut and a lateral class change (race par) from the events out in California to suggest he is at the right level for his abilities. 

The February 25th race is worth a follow not just here but later on the card with statebred Special Weight runners returning from that event. Starting here with #2 STUCK N SNOW one that has the ability to show early speed and with consistent form/figures on par with this group. #5 PEARCY ROAD also with the progressive and improvement number wise (IMPROVE on 2/4) coming into this race. One area he has not improved is from the gate with the pattern of slow/SLOG in each of his three starts. #4 TABLE MONEY will also return from that common race showing some run making a MOVE in TRAFFIC. While improvement for a second start is within reach, they have not worked since and even going back to the debut, was colder on the board for these connections. 

#9 EV'S SHERMAN is a new face to the 2/25 group from that common race though a familiar one at this level. There could be some positive intent freshened off the 71-days returning here and could offer value, something required on a runner that has come up short as the favorite in the past. 

#1 BIG BAD DIVA appears well-meant for Schultz second off the claim (claimed for $40k back in January) and in this second start of the form cycle. 

Contreras sending out the pair with #8 GIANNA'S GIFT likely a pace setter and one that showing early speed could help assist a trip for #7 GOOD PENNY as she return to the claiming level and prepared for this event wheeling back in 20-days following the starter allowance protection last out. 

In terms of form and run style, there is not much between #5 SQUILLIONS and #6 RIGHT TRAPPE and likely to see a price discrepancy in this race creating value on the latter with the buried form for RIGHT TRAPPE along with the connections. 

Going back to the February 25th Special Weight race: #2 SKYPED could look to get back to a top effort and value as one that could be overlooked from the 6th place result and as one of the more "experienced" in the field. #4 TIME ANDBEYOND has the tendency to SLOG and making a late move, though a trip that was not as effective last month as it was in December. #5 SHAKE UP has shown some run in spots and early speed at times, though in terms of class has left something to be desired and to prove at the level once again. Second time starter, #6 PAID DOUBLE showed some early interest while up close to a honest early pace before losing ground and could benefit from that race to improve here. 

Overall this is an evenly matched group with the sophomore fillies close in terms of speed figures and form. #5 SUNSET PAYNTER was dominant (B+ OptixGRADE) breaking her maiden on debut, the "upset" win back in January at Golden Gate Fields. She returns from that race off a two month break, a barn/circuit change, and will race here protected as a further sign of intent. 

#4 PROUD MULE races for a tag today and the connections likely looking for the right spot for her to compete and return to top form. #6 PIONEER PARADE will also race in for the tag and with some buried form could just find herself in the right spot today and overlooked off the recent run lines and finishing positions. 

A field of six will line up for the Purple Mountain stakes and outside of #2 ADDI BUG and #3 IZATIZ, runners that appear overmatched a competitive event. 

#4 SOCIALLY SELECTIVE could end up favored showing up for Bill Mott and from her dominant debut last August at Saratoga. While she was running away from the field late, she did have a softer (FLOW) early pace to assist. The layoff could be another knock (at the short price expected) as she has been in training since at least December and taking awhile for the connections to find her a race. 

#1 KLASSY BRIDGETTE and #5 KEY OF LIFE return from the Dixie Belle Stakes. The trip and race shape set up KLASSY BRIDGETTE, something of a pattern of success for her this season and could find a similar trip here. KEY OF LIFE was favored in the Dixie Belle, something of a pattern for her, though does not expect to find herself in that role today and could be the time - value wise. 

#6 TOPSY is going to be class tested though deserving of the rise as she has been consistent in terms of figures and race result. As far as her races she has shown early speed and has that ability here, though also could have some versatility she has yet to show. 

This Special Weight race carries a condition for runners that sold for $75k or less at their most recent point of public sale. #3 RYVIT finds class relief from the higher Special Weight class and also some upside (IMPROVE) and could require that combination to overcome the pattern of gate (SLOG, TROUBLE_S) issues. 

First time starter, #7 HEY EUGENE could be well-intended for Maker and placed to compete first out. He was scheduled to debut last summer (8/18) at Saratoga though suffered the scratch and set back following the 8/13 published work. His works have been consistent returning this year and should be race ready off that series. #8 HINENI will make a belated second start from his Keeneland debut back in October, a race that has not been the most productive outside the race winner, Lugan Knight. #4 BOLT FROM HEAVEN caught a strong group in his July 24th debut at Del Mar and visually looked overmatched (DROP) against those other runners. He returned with class relief on August 18th and moved up slightly on the day though tough to hold that race against him with the longer, 219-day layoff that followed.