Holland's North American Picks for April 3

by Tim Holland

Gulfstream Park

Race 4

Trainer Pino wins with 16% of his first-time starters and saddles #8 Abdaa (8-1), a debuting son of 14% turf sire Animal Kingdom out of a stakes-placed mare who has produced five winners including one on turf. Dark bay has worked forwardly for Pino who has won with two of his six starters at this meet. Colt appears ready for a decent first outing with Meneses up.

Race 7

#2 Interest (3-1) drops in class with blinkers removed after losing chances when stumbling badly at the start in her latest over the course and distance last month. Daughter of 12% grass sire Pioneerof the Nile is a half-sister to two other winners and makes her second outing for trainer Joseph who has won with 26% of his runners at this meet. Bay can be tough at this level under Saez, who has won with two of last five rides for the barn.

Race 9

A full field of maidens line up on the turf for the finale here, including #7 Cherokee Sound (15-1). Chestnut has not been seen since closing to narrowly miss when third over the course and distance at this level in early January, from which race the winner returned to win again next time out. Daughter of English Channel is out of a daughter of Test (G1) winner Cat Moves and recent works include a 5-furlong move in :59 3/5 for trainer Ward who wins with 27% of his maiden claimers. Filly can be running late with Nunez riding.

Oaklawn Park

Race 3

Trainer Cox wins with 26% of his second-time starts and saddles #7 Second Line David (7-2), who closed to narrowly miss when second in his debut at Fair Grounds in late February. Cox has won with 25% of his runners at this meet and son of Sky Mesa is a half-brother to one winner. Dark bay figures to be along from off the pace under Talamo, who has won with 28% of his rides for the barn in the past 60 days.

Race 5

State-bred maidens race over 6 furlongs with #2 Tempt Fate (3-1) making his first start since being claimed by Carl Deville in mid-February. Blinkers are added to son of Hamazing, who was disqualified after passing the post first in one of his two outings. Deville won with one of last 10 runners first off the claim and dark bay figures to be sent early under Talamo, who has won with two of his last 11 rides for this barn.

Race 8

With plenty of pace signed on, #9 Rated R Superstar (6-1) appears one of few in here to benefit from a good trip. Chestnut won the Essex over the track and distance last year in one of his two previous wins here and trainer Contreras has won with 22% of his starters since the beginning of last year. Son of Kodiak Kowboy can be along in time with Garcia taking the mount.

Tampa Bay Downs

Race 6

#4 Count Again (3-1) makes his first outing for trainer Sweezey and has not been seen since closing from off the pace when impressively breaking his maiden at this distance at Keeneland in October. Son of Awesome Again is a half-brother to dual Bing Crosby (G1) winner Ransom the Moon, and Sweezey has won with 13% of his starters at this meet. Bay can be along late with Wilmer Garcia in the saddle.

Race 8

A competitive allowance for the finale here includes #10 Summering (3-1), who has not been seen since giving way badly after being rushed to the lead at this distance at Laurel last August. Daughter of excellent turf sire War Front is out of San Clemente (G2) winner Wishing Gate and has been working well for trainer Proctor, who wins with 16% that have not raced for 90 days or more. Filly won a stakes as a juvenile and may benefit from the blinkers removed under Castanon, who has won with one of last four rides for Proctor.