Holland's North American Racing Picks for Apr. 4

by Tim Holland

Racing continues during the first full week of May in 2020! Handicapper Tim Holland has found some interesting plays for Monday at Will Rogers Downs and Fonner Park.

Will Rogers Downs

Race 1

Trainer Bravo wins with a solid 23% of his first-time starters and saddles #3 Midnight Drama (8-1), a debuting son of Big Drama, whose offspring win 10% of their first outings. Recent works include a 5-furlong move in 1:01 for Bravo, who wins with 19% of his runners overall in maiden claiming events. Gelding is likely ready to win at first asking under Eikleberry, who has won with one of his last eight rides for the barn.

Race 7

Maidens going 6 furlongs include #7 My Password (12-1), who has not been seen since giving way badly when unplaced over a mile at Remington in November in her second outing. Daughter of good sire Goldencents is a half-sister to seven winners and has been working well here for trainer Young, who wins with 20% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Filly can show more here under Wethey, who has won with 24% of rides for the barn in the past two months. Another with claims may be #10 Lagoon Falls (6-1), who debuts for 10% first-out trainer Broberg. 3-year-old cost just $8K as a weanling but is by excellent sire Uncle Mo and is out of a mare by Empire Maker. Broberg wins with 24% of his maiden claimers and rider Cabrera has won with 26% of his rides for the barn in the last two months.

Race 9

#8 Momma’s Baby Boy (3-1) flattened out to finish second after making progress from just off the pace as the favorite in his latest over the track and distance in his second start after a long break. Gelding has won one of 12 starts at this distance and makes his third outing for trainer Young who wins with 27% of his runners that were beaten as the favorite last time out. Son of Giant Oak should find a solid pace to close into with Wethey remaining aboard.

Race 10

#5 Battle Chic (8-1) narrowly missed when closing to finish second in her latest over the track and distance last month in her second start after a short break. 6-year-old has a record of 8-1-3-1 on this oval and trainer Nolen wins with 11% of his claimers. Daughter of Warrior’s Reward can be in good position from the start with Medina retaining the mount.

Fonner Park

Race 2

No less than 65% of races at this meet have been won in gate-to-wire fashion and fastest early here appears to be #6 Holiday Clover (5-2), who was last seen when leading throughout over the track and distance in mid-March. Mare has a record of 12-2-6-0 on this oval and trainer Martinez wins with 13% of runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Chestnut can be the one to catch with Armando Martinez riding.

Race 3

Maiden claimers going 6 furlongs include #3 Sleepy Turtle (5-2), who was caught late when a close third in his latest at this level and distance last month. 4-year-old has shown improvement in recent outings for trainer Bethke, who wins with 11% of his runners in sprint races. Gelding figures to be sent early again with Scott Bethke again in the saddle.

Race 6

Trainer McKinney has won with just one of 34 runners this meet but wins with 21% of her starts in allowance events and saddles #4 Pretty Rich (5-2). Daughter of Can the Man comes off a second place finish at this level and distance and has a record of 4-1-1-1 on this track. 4-year-old can be in good position throughout with Fackler in the irons.

Race 8

With a moderate early pace expected, #5 Brett’s Boy (6-1) may be in good striking position from the start. Chestnut has hit the board in three of four starts on this track and gets class relief off a place finish as the favorite over 6 furlongs last month. 8-year-old may be tough at this level with Wood taking the mount.