ByBob Shirilla

SUNLAND PARK – TOP 4 PICKS FOR EACH RACE

March 2, 2026

RACE 1: Maiden Special Weight (6.5F – Dirt, $25K)

1. HONOR THE GIANTS (#8) – ML 8/5

  • Highest last race speed rating (81) and best dirt speed (81) in field
  • Finished 3rd vs similar company; ready for breakthrough
  • Morning line favorite with solid form indicators

2. DIALED WHO (#1) – ML 7/2

  • May improve with Lasix added; recently raced in 87 days
  • Average pace figures suggest competitive ability
  • Value option in competitive field

3. ROKI (#7) – ML 9/2

  • Switches to high percentage jockey (Negron); blinkers being added
  • Hot trainer/jockey combo (6 starts: 2-0-0)
  • Strong trainer record; positive equipment change

4. ESKIMO CHARLIE (#3) – ML 4/1

  • Mid-range speed figures; competitive placement
  • Decent class level; raced within 340 days previously
  • Moderate chances with appropriate odds

RACE 2: Fillies & Mares Claiming $7,500 (5.5F – Dirt, $12K)

1. JOLIE CANDY (#6) – ML 3/2

  • Morning line favorite with highest last race speed rating (72)
  • Best dirt speed (72) fastest in field; early speed helps sprints
  • 33% trainer record beating favorites; hot trainer/jockey
  • Strong candidate for repeat performance

2. GIRLS DON’T CRY (#1) – ML 4/1

  • Best dirt speed close to average winning speed (62)
  • Finished 3rd vs similar; consistent performer
  • Solid trainer/jockey connections

3. REGAL’S CHARM (#2) – ML 9/2

  • Best dirt speed faster than average winning speed; early speed advantage
  • Strong pace figures (91 E1, 88 E2) indicate speed will carry
  • High jockey percentage; competitive in class

4. CONTESSA’S SONG (#7) – ML 8/1

  • Highest speed figure at distance (70); best dirt speed exceeds avg winning
  • Hot trainer/jockey combo (4 starts: 2-0-0) in last 14 days
  • Value play with distance advantage

RACE 3: Claiming $5,000 (6F – Dirt, $11K)

1. McGREGOR LAKE (#6) – ML 2/1

  • Morning line favorite; best dirt speed fastest in field (tie)
  • Highest speed figure at distance (92); multiple positive comments
  • Sharp 5F workout (Feb-23); drops in class
  • Hot trainer/jockey combo (10 starts: 3-2-0); 37% trainer record in class drops
  • Dominant choice

2. KHANTARO d’ORO (#4) – ML 5/2

  • 29% trainer record first start after claiming; excellent placement
  • Switches to high percentage jockey and high percentage trainer
  • Strong early/middle pace indicators
  • Returns from 254-day layoff with trainer known for comebacks

3. RAPID EXPANSION (#1) – ML 5/1

  • Drops in class; eligible to improve 2nd start since layoff
  • Best dirt speed faster than average winning speed
  • High percentage trainer; solid backup choice

4. RAINBOW CREST (#5) – ML 8/1

  • Highest last race speed rating (109.6); finished 3rd vs tougher
  • Drops in class; best dirt speed close to avg winning speed
  • Decent trainer/jockey percentages

RACE 4: NM Bred Claiming $7,500 (5.5F – Dirt, $16K)

1. ATTILIANNO (#1) – ML 9/5

  • Morning line favorite; highest speed figure at distance (84)
  • Best dirt speed fastest in field (tie, 84)
  • Eligible to improve 2nd start since layoff; drops in class
  • Hot trainer/jockey combo (6 starts: 2-0-0)
  • High percentage jockey; dominant choice

2. SHAME ON WHISKEY (#3) – ML 9/2

  • High percentage jockey (excellent record)
  • Early speed running style perfect for sprint
  • Strong pace figures (91 E1, 91 E2)
  • Consistent competitor with favorable post position

3. BE A PRO (#9) – ML 5/1

  • Highest last race speed rating (110.3)
  • Hot trainer/jockey combo (4 starts: 2-0-0)
  • Strong value at 5/1 with recent form

4. NEW MEXICO JEREMY (#8) – ML 6/1

  • Early speed running style helps in sprint
  • Best dirt speed (80) competitive in field
  • Solid trainer/jockey indicators

RACE 5: Starter Optional Claiming $7,500 (5.5F – Dirt, $17K) – Pick-5 Carryover $845

1. ROLL PENNY ROLL (#1) – ML 5/2

  • Morning line favorite; won last race (2/15 at Sunland)
  • High percentage jockey; high percentage trainer
  • Best dirt speed (75); recent winner with clean form

2. DAUX (#8) – ML 3/1

  • Won last race (1/11); high class level (110.4)
  • Best dirt speed competitive; prime power strong (114.4)
  • Value play with recent winning form

3. LONZO WHO (#7) – ML 4/1

  • Finished 2nd vs similar last race; consistent performer
  • Strong prime power (115.4); competitive throughout
  • Solid value at 4/1 odds

4. TSUNAMI GOLD (#2) – ML 5/1

  • Best dirt speed close to average winning speed
  • Early/middle pace strong indicators (88 E1, 87 E2)
  • Acceptable value despite trainer concerns

RACE 6: SOC Fillies & Mares $10,000 (6F – Dirt, $18K)

1. LUCKY VEGAS (#3) – ML 2/1

  • Morning line favorite; highest last race speed rating (81)
  • Best dirt speed fastest in field; drops in class
  • High percentage trainer (40% – 2nd after claiming)
  • High percentage jockey (excellent record)
  • Strong dominant choice

2. FOREVER SAFE (#2) – ML 4/1

  • Won last race (2/16); high percentage trainer
  • High percentage jockey; early speed running style
  • Excellent credentials for repeat; close second choice

3. NANG SINGHA (#1) – ML 5/2

  • Drops in class; early speed helps 6-furlong sprint
  • Hot trainer/jockey combo (4 starts: 2-0-0)
  • Strong workout (4F, Feb-21); finished 3rd vs tougher
  • Solid third option

4. WHIMSICAL HEIR (#4) – ML 15/1

  • 24% trainer record first start after claiming
  • Eligible 3rd start since layoff; finished 2nd last race
  • Value play with improvement indicators

RACE 7: NM Bred Claiming $7,500 (1 Mile – Dirt, $13K)

1. FREE AGAIN (#8) – ML 5/2

  • Morning line favorite; won last race (1/12)
  • Highest last race speed rating (83); best dirt speed (83)
  • High percentage trainer; high percentage jockey (excellent record)
  • 24% trainer record 46-90 days away; dominant choice

2. KIRBY DERBY (#2) – ML 3/1

  • Highest speed figure at distance (87); best dirt speed fastest
  • High percentage trainer; high percentage jockey
  • 30% trainer record 2nd after claiming; beaten only 1.75 lengths last
  • Strong competition to the favorite

3. AMERICAN EMPIRE (#5) – ML 4/1

  • Won last race (2/16); 31% trainer record 1st after claiming
  • Eligible to improve 2nd start since layoff
  • Recent winner with strong connections

4. TEN FIGURES (#4) – ML 7/2

  • Strong pace figures throughout (76 E1, 77 E2, 80 LP, 76 late)
  • Consistent competitor; reasonable mid-range odds
  • Acceptable fourth choice

RACE 8: NM Bred Allowance (6.5F – Dirt, $36K)

1. AMERICAN RANGER BB (#9) – ML 5/2

  • Morning line favorite; best dirt speed fastest in field
  • Drops in class with positive indicators
  • Highest speed figure at distance (66) relative to field
  • Strongest choice despite 98-day layoff

2. STAND UP GUY (#2) – ML 7/2

  • Blinkers OFF (positive equipment change)
  • High percentage trainer; finished 3rd vs similar
  • Best dirt speed close to average winning speed
  • Strong credentials; second choice

3. HOLY BULLET (#1) – ML 9/2

  • Best dirt speed close to average winning speed (71)
  • Strong pace indicators (92 E1, 92 E2)
  • Acceptable third option

4. GAMBLAWAY (#8) – ML 5/1

  • Highest last race speed rating (109.3)
  • Drops in class; eligible to improve 2nd start since layoff
  • Value play with improvement potential

RACE 9: NM Bred Maiden Claiming $6,250 (1 Mile – Dirt, $12K)

1. AMERICAN SECRETS (#12) – ML 2/1

  • Morning line favorite; drops in class
  • 28% trainer record 2nd time on Lasix; eligible to improve 2nd start
  • Finished 2nd vs tougher; high percentage trainer
  • May improve at longer distance; dominant choice

2. TORREADO (#7) – ML 3/1

  • Best dirt speed faster than average winning speed (49)
  • Drops in class; may improve returning to route distance
  • Early speed running style positive indicator
  • Strong secondary choice

3. BYE BYE RUSS (#10) – ML 9/2

  • Best dirt speed fastest in field (54)
  • 34% trainer record beating favorite; high percentage trainer
  • High percentage jockey; 33% trainer beating favorite
  • Strong third option with multiple positive factors

4. SARGE MUSKETT (#5) – ML 8/1

  • Highest last race speed rating (50); best dirt speed faster than avg winning
  • Drops in class; ran 2nd vs tougher last race
  • Value option at 8/1; may improve at route distance

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *