Holland's North American Picks for Apr. 27

by Tim Holland

Each day's free expert picks by handicapper Tim Holland can be found below.

Will Rogers Downs

Race 2

#8 Nurse List (7-2) moves up in class off a gate-to-wire win here just under two weeks ago. 3-year-old has a record of 3-2-1-0 on this oval and trainer Young wins with 21% of his claimers that won their last outing. Chestnut figures to be the one to catch again with Wethey retaining the mount.

Race 3

Trainer Ibarra won with one of his last 11 first-time starters and saddles #11 El Vale (12-1), a debuting son of promising young sire Honor Code. Gelding cost $250K as a yearling and recent works at Remington include a bullet move in 1:00 4/5 for Ibarra, who wins with 21% of his runners in maiden special weight events. Wide post is not ideal but bay should offer value in his first outing with Esquilin up.

Race 4

An expected fast early tempo may help the chances of #8 Sorryaboutnothing (6-1), who drops in class off a never-threatening unplaced effort here 12 days ago. Dark bay has won two of three starts on this oval and has a record of 11-4-2-0 at this distance. Barn has won with 11% of starters at this meet and son of Repent can be along late with Esquilin aboard.

Race 5

Newcomer #6 Lucky Liza Ann (20-1) has a decent win early pedigree being by 13% first-out sire Backstabber and being out of a mare by King of Scat, whose offspring win 10% of their first outings. Dark bay posted a solid 4-furlong work in :48 3/5 eight days ago for trainer Caster, who wins with 10% of his first-time starters. Filly may be ready for a good first outing under Steinberg, who has won with three of last 16 rides for the barn.

Race 7

#11 I’m Son Munny (15-1) comes off a weakening third-place finish after leading early on the all-weather surface at Turfway last month. Daughter of speedy sire Munnings has won five of 27 starts on regular dirt and trainer Codero-Lopez wins with 12% of runners in claiming events. Chestnut worked 3 furlongs in a fast :35 1/5 here nine days ago and may be sent to the early lead with Bermudez remaining aboard.

Fonner Park

Race 4

Trainer Gonzalez wins with 24% of runners that won last time out and saddles #5 Man Camp (6-1), who comes off a near gate-to-wire score over 4 furlongs here this month in his first start since February. 4-year-old has now won five of 18 career starts on dirt and Gonzalez has won with 21% of starters at this meet. Chestnut can be on or near the early lead with Journet up.

Race 7

Another from the Gonzalez barn is #3 For the Hustle (6-1), who failed as the favorite after dueling for the early lead in a stakes here last month. Gelding has hit the board in two of three starts on this oval and Gonzalez wins with 24% that were beaten as the favorite last time out. Bay can make amends with Journet taking the mount.

Race 9

Claimers going 6 furlongs in the finale include #6 Brett’s Boy (6-1), who comes off a third-place finish in an even effort over the track and distance earlier this month. Trainer Castillo looks for his first winner of the meet but chestnut has hit the board in all three tries on this oval. Son of Parading may be the one to get a good trip from just off the pace with Martinez riding.