Handicapper Tips & Picks

5-DANVILLE has been in good form all year between racing at Gulfstream and Hawthorne. He finished second in his two races this meet at this level. He finished second to the tough Moment in last and that runner wasn’t eligible for this race so he faces marginally easier. 2-TROY OUNCE was claimed from last. He won two of his last three while meeting easier. He loves the front end and is the most consistent speed of those in here but he’s not necessarily the best. But if unchallenged early he can take it all the way. 4-JEFF THE LION is a little more versatile than the top pain and he’s another to run well on or off the pace. He finished third behind the top pair in last two, distantly in last, but he is capable of improving that position.

Don’t think there’s anything approaching a standout in this race. The “usual suspects” are likely to be players once again but there is little to separate them. Would imagine that 2-TRIPLE CHROME, with the turn back in distance, will be racing behind the speed and wait for them to tire late. 6-IRONMAN RICHIE is the most consistent speed. Just not convinced that he’s the best early speed. He’ll undoubtedly challenge for the lead at some point. 3-BOURBON TEDDY is probably the quickest from the gate but he’s shown little staying power.

9-NO KAY NEVER makes her first start of the year but sharp works for sharp connections will have her ready to go. She was a debut winner in Indiana last year and went on to run well in stakes races at Saratoga and Woodbine. Meets what should be a much easier group today. She’ll be tough on or off the lead. Wouldn’t discount 2-MOVE IT BABY. She wired the field on turf in her debut at Colonial last year but tired after showing good speed in a contest at Kentucky Downs. Like top choice, she’s been training well for her first race of the year. Guessing she’ll be gunning for the lead quickly. Might be able to steal this. 6-STARS ON FIRE shipped here to break her maiden last fall after a lackluster debut at Saratoga. She is blessed with good early speed. 

2-STAR OF TOMORROW is a weak pick but she is one of the few in this race that shows sustained speed. Not sure she can even get to the lead but she’ll never be far back and should be right there if the rest of the speed runs out of gas. What do you do with 5-AWESOME SUNDAY? She’s dropping from much tougher levels. But she has also had only one slow drill in the month since her last start and she’s been one of those who tends to tire and tire quickly. The pace of this race could benefit 6-BELLS OF JOY. Don’t think she’s fast enough to win this but she will be picking off tiring horses late.

2-DRAGONERA looks tough. She ran on turf twice and ran well both times, finishing third in her grass debut and then graduating in last. Few of her rivals have shown much in few turf starts. Seems likely to make it two in a row. 5-LORRAINE’S LEGACY could surprise. She appears to be the quickest of these and her talented apprentice rider has become very adept at getting horses out of the gate quickly. Plus, her barn is one of the tops on this circuit with grass runners. If they don’t challenge this filly quickly, she might never look back. 1-COTTON CANDY ANNIE’S turf race was probably better the outcome would indicate. She finished fourth but beat eight rivals while racing in a maiden race carrying a purse of $150k. Like that she’s capable of running well on or off the pace. Don’t ignore.

2-RESTORING HOPE seeks his second win in a row. Victor of last in Indiana owns enough tactical speed to stay close but can still finish with authority. He had some decent races here in the past. Could be good enough to do it again. 3-BORN AGAIN GEORGE just missed versus similar rivals. They took blinkers off him for that race after two lackluster races with them. Giles stays up. Could outfnish the rest. Many runners have some early zip but none have been able to sustain that speed lately. But 5-D’FEVER has a chance to do just that. He was never close in a race containing many of these rivals in last but he’ll be ridden by an apprentice and will carry nine pounds less than he did last time out. It can make the difference. 

5-ALL CHOKED UP returned from a year and a half layoff to make his local and turf debut and it was a great effort. He led early through blistering fractions and held on to finish second, finishing ahead of eight rivals. Like that they worked him out after that race. He’s meeting other with speed but not sure any can keep up through the 1:10 six furlongs he generated in last. He should be fitter in his second start back after the lengthy layoff and he’ll be racing with Lasix for the second. Will have to be caught. 2-MINNESOTA MOON is also blessed with good speed. Probable favorite, however, has had three turf races, including one here, without showing much. Could be vulnerable. 4-GOING AT IT ran evenly in his lone start but that was just a prep. This well-bred runner tackles turf for the first time. He’s bred to be a good one. Could stalk early and pounce late.