Handicapper Tips & Picks

#7 LIL RICHARD BELLO brings in buried form that fits at this level as well as on the turf. That form carries to this season and third off the layoff. They had legitimate TROUBLE+ in the layoff return in March and can cycle back to a top in this third start off the layoff. That includes for the new connections, connections that should hold value all around. 

#5 MONGOLIAN GOLD has some hurdles returning from the layoff and with their off the pace runstyle, however finds the lowest par of their career and the only time at this level was the 2023 debut recording a B/BTL OptixGRADE. #6 JUMPER CABLES takes a reach to get to in this spot while they must improve once again with the more established runners in this field. They have showing improvement race to race and the foundation and the class drop ultimately should have them at the right level to compete. 

#7 VINCERO GRANDE moves to state bred company for the first time in a long time, going back to limited starts during the juvenile/sophomore season at GGF. As far as their current form, she recorded a B- OptixGRADE while also projected to IMPROVE given the trip and the SPACED dynamic that followed at 10f last month holding form along the way. 

#2 ULTIMATE HY is worth a value look in this race. She picked up her most recent win at this level with the PERFECT trip back in March and claimed out of that race. Following the claim the connections moved to the dirt to remain protected on 4/25 and two weeks later the return to the turf and less than ideal sprint distance two weeks later while the STRETCH and rider change present positives here. 

FTS #9 STRAWBERRY TIZZY has some challenges with the outside draw and two turns on the turf, though those conditions fit with her physicality. In terms of fitness she has plenty of foundation and key gate drill on 5/23 to prepared for this race. #6 UPTOWN SWEETHEART makes her belated return and second start with some changes returning here. Class is the main change while today's par is higher the move from MSW to MCL is significant and accounting for age as a juvenile in that par and first start. ON debut, UPTOWN SWEETHEART was fractious in the GATE and with the field spaced out at the wire put in a CLOSE and GALLOP+ with the field all around holding form. 

#4 TANDHONEYWITHANE returns to the level of their debut when recorded a B OptixGRADE last September. They should move up with the class DROP and key changes from the 5/4 return parted with the outside post had TACTIC- following a TROUBLE_S CLOSE and STRETCH out with today's extended sprint distance. 

Number wise #3 MISTY EYED in on the lighter side and valid as a longshot with that in mind. While they must step up with today's group and overall going back to the debut last year was BTL while GREEN and now in the third start off the layoff given a pass in the 4/27 return and can IMPROVE off the WIDE trip and sneaky CLOSE on 5/10. 

#5 PALIO is worth a longshot look in this race. They fit on class holding a win under a similar condition last August, granted on the other turf course. They must come running first out though also showed they could fire fresh picking up the win last May off a similar break. They require a top effort though not out of delivering that here and with today's race shape and in live hands with R. Munger taking over.