Handicapper Tips & Picks

#2 CANAL STREET and #1 MOONIE PIE finished 2-3 in their debut and could step up 1-2 in here. CANAL STREET turned in a B effort for a COLD barn with the subtle trip behind the pacesetting winner. They were a little green in response to the stick flipping leads in reaction to the whip late; #1 MOONIE PIE (B-) was off SLOG though BTL making a strong CLOSE and GALLOP+. 

#5 WHO TOOK THE MONEY was BTL in the allowance three weeks ago making a WIDE MOVE and CLOSE to finish in a BLANKET at the wire and could move up in this second start of the meet turning the COLD trend around for the barn. 

#5 GOOD AMERICAN had to settle for place at this level off the layoff in September though visually B+ - a rare higher grade without coming up on top. The timing off that big effort was less than ideal wheeling back in 16-days for the KEE allowance in October and still put forward a B- effort with a TRAFFIC MOVE and with front wraps added . The intent appears in play for this spot given a little more time between races and with surface/stamina versatility. 

#7 TAPIT SHOES  has shown surface versatility and adaptable to take to the synth on this circuit. They are placed where they can compete, B back on 7/29 and following a positive second off pattern.

#10 EVENT DETAIL has competitive races on this course and distance and upside from the higher race par N2 allowance races in KY following the dominant B+ albeit taxing/HARD win in August off the long, long layoff.

Longshot #4 WOODCOCK FLIGHT was a touch short of a "winning" effort at this level back in March though still posted a B- effort and figure that stacks up on par. They should find pace to target for their runstyle with the Sun Contention/72 SpeedRate. 

#5 SPEEDEEMAN will race above condition with this being closing week and needing a spot to run following an EX - EXCUSE on 11/24, a race they appeared well intended for though compromised and quickly returns with a rider change. 

A value race with ML favorite #7 GOLDEN BOSS weak overall in this spot while returning from a PERFECT trip 16-days ago, a common race with others including #9 SPEEDY FREEZE, a closer shortening up for this spot and also lacking value - #8 BEDAZZLE ME shares a similar runstyle, Plot position/shape and projects higher odds of the two both recording a B- OptixGRADE on the day. 

#4 PRIMA is upgraded from that 11/28 event with a legit stumble (TROUBLES+) at the break and recorded a B OptixGRADE at the level on 11/4. 

#6 MRS C. should also be under the radar to take a stab at double digit odds. They had adversity on 11/28 with the SLOG TRAFFIC SHUFFLE making a WIDE MOVE and also hold a B/win at the level going back to 10/12. 

#4 ANAM CARA might be a tad short on the win end though a double digit runner to key around with consistent form under similar conditioned races this season and can IMPROVE off the 11/15 trip. 

ML favorite #2 EMPIRE'S TREAT finds the class drop though a questionable change in distance shortening up without much intent with that placement could be a default spot on closing weekend. #8 SENSATIONAL SARAH has recorded similar higher figures once upon a time, though has yet to this year returning from the longer 478-day layoff. 

#7 LILLZ STAR moved up with the class DROP and the 7f distance gives them a little more to work with and recover from noting a SLOG pattern. The 7f, extended distance appears preferred for #6 NOYZEE GIRL another following an every other pattern and subtle upgrade from the shorter sprint last month. 

The cutback (and return to maiden company) is positive for #4 POWAQA one that also follows an every other pattern and not far off their main rivals with a top effort, including #9 SILENT DIVA one that has not shown much progression or edge with the races at this level or even slightly lower. 

T 1 Grambling Hall 7 Hungry Hill 3 Drebin

P 10 Chancy Bet 9 Chasin Rainbows 8 Stag Royal

P 8 Fast Louie 7 Brudon 6 Lotto Max

P 7 How Much 2 Settn A Precedent 3 Mystifying

P 7 Goudawon 2 Lady Get Lucky 5 Carsons Gouda

T 3 Southwind Metric 4 Fabulous Freddie 5 P P E

P 8 Watchulookin At 1 Whichwaytothebeach 4 Pacino Hanover

P 5 Shes Got It All 9 Angostura Hanover 8 Caviar N Crackers

P 4 Ervin Hanover 6 Kolby Two Step 1 Powertrain

P 7 Gandalf The Bay 6 Like A Glove 5 Wallace Hartley

P 7 Better Be Donna 4 Cora Cora Cora 10 Firstofanera

P 8 P L Ozzy 9 Wheels On Fire 10 Saulsbrook Ian

7-COOL BLUES MAN-Just seems faster than the rest

6-FOXMAN-Won last two at this level

1-KEY INGREDIANT-Was he waiting for Casey?

3-DONTINVITEMEIN-Big improvement as L1; better as L2?

2-RK’STONY-Beaten favorite deserves another chance

1-MSGRANT TWENTYFOUR-Better than last would suggest

3-LOUS MIRACLE-Won three of last four

6-SCORECARD LIL RED-Been chasing top pick

1-LOUS NIGHT VISION-Just 2^nd; best of the rest?

1-HIGH HO HEZ SILVER-Just reeled off three straight

2-BEACH COWBOY-Rounding back into form

3-DRAGON PERFECT-Best puts him right there

6-IT’S SWAN TIME-Dropper the fastest of these

3-ILLINI DIVA-Also drops; wake up time

2-MARIAH LOU-Just missed at this level

2-IMAREALROCKINREBEL-Barely lost last after 6 months off

8-ALWAYS B A LADY-Just wired easier; maybe alone on the lead

9-PRECIOUS MACEY-Gets top driver today

9-FOX VALLEY RAMIRO-Had all kinds of trouble in last; may upset

1-LOVE IS BLUE-Came from far back to surprise in last

2-WHO’ZZZ THIS SKY-Could be the lone speed

10-DREAM-Makes it 3 in a row despite tough post

9-FOX VALLEY TATUM-Usually in the hunt

1-ITTY BITTY SECRET-Can surprise with second Lasix

8-CAPTAIN SLEAZE-Meets considerable easier this level

3-BLUE LABEL-Ships back in; maybe finds softer company

7-MAJOR ATTRIBUTE-Steps up off big victory

MISTLETOE STAKES:

#7 TAXED exploded off the layoff at Oaklawn last season with a massive allowance effort something that along with trip played against them in the Apple Blossom (G1) and showed her class rebounding at CD with a big allowance win holding her own with consistent figures in the stakes series. She returned making a positive PRERACE appearance off the layoff last month in the Chilukki (G3) and a solid effort with a strong CLOSE to set her up for this race and back at the two turn distance.

Sophomore #2 TAPIT JENALLIE is not as accomplished as TAXED though has some class in her own right and should present value with the projected favorite. This marks her third start of the current cycle and on a progressive pattern returning to a familiar course and distance.

#5 CORNINGSTONE (no value) is likely to be the strong second choice in the wagering as she has recorded figures similar to TAXED, however those speed figure races have yet to be transferred to Oaklawn and in terms of her Oaklawn numbers those figures lack any strong edge compared to others in this field including #4 STELLAR LILY one that has been able to run her top efforts at Oaklawn and appears well intended second off the layoff pointed to this circuit and with Bejarano back aboard.