Handicapper Tips & Picks

#6 KEEN RESPONSE fits logically as the favorite and the horse to beat based on his races this season. The class drop running at this $7500 level moved him up and coming back off a “winning” B OptixGRADE effort behind first run winner, Option, on November 18^th.

#3 MORANT returns to make his second start at this maiden claiming level, surface, and distance off the layoff. He could present upside exiting the TRAFFIC trip run under less than ideal WEATHER conditions 16-days ago. #4 UNCLE DICK shows a similar Plot position and progressive form coming into this race as his third start of the cycle stretching back out to a route distance.

#5 BON DEUX also returns from that common race back on November 18^th, as well as the event last week and has been holding his form and OptixFIG though all around efforts stacking up just average for the level with the C/C+ OptixGRADES. Longtime maiden, #2 KING ZION exiting the common races this season will look to use the apprentice weight allowance and early speed to a pace advantage. Even with that potential edge, he has a long history of losing ground late going back to his debut without a change since.

#1 HOT DAME comes back off an EX – EXCUSE losing her race at the start on November 23^rd at HS Indy. She fits today’s race shape with versatility and finishing ability as shown on OptixPLOT. 

#6 ON A TOUR fits off her races this season, though is starting to show some decline in her form and figures since the October 14^th win to consider as she projects to be favored here. #4 WAY TOO SMARTE could have been using the higher Optional claiming events returning off the layoff for fitness. She will find a change in class and distance and should be sitting on a top effort today.

#6 IT’S GREEK TO ME projected to need a race returning from a layoff and making her first start on this circuit back on November 18^th. She has that race under her belt and turning in an honest effort that cold night (WEATHER) could step forward and showing some positive intent picking up Baird. #5 SUMMER BELLE can step up on her races this season finding class relief as the connections make the change to run her first time in for the claiming tag.

The live barn (Kirby) on #4 MUD HUT keeps her on the radar returning today off the 176-day layoff and picking up first time Lasix. They had run at this condition last December and coming back from the layoff in May. She had some upside off those races being a lightly raced four-year-old though does require a new top and race of her career to win today. Mud Hut in the race along with #7 SWEET FRAULEIN with some hidden early speed could also make things tougher up front for projected pacesetter, #3 HALLIE’S RAINBOW.

#6 SILVERA should be in the right spot to compete finding class relief off her races here this season. Her form stacks up at this level and had upside off the WIDE, TROUBLE trip on November 13^th. She will make the surface switch back to the main track, though has number that fit for this level to transfer her current form. That change could be a hurdle for #2 DAIGLE one that has not been as strong on the main track compared to her numbers on the turf and should find early pace Contention as shown on OptixPLOT. 

The “Fire” Contention and higher 56 SpeedRate should also assist #3 WEEKEND PASS sitting as a Large Quad IV Square. Tavares waited too long (TACTIC-) to ask for her run (CLOSE) making up ground just 9-days ago behind race winner, #7 KIMBERLY FRANCES. She fits right back off her current form and trip/Plot with a top effort again required with the noted class rise also in play.

#1 DANVILLE wheels back first off the claim and back to the level from the November 18^th race. He turned in a competitive race in that fourth place finish, the B- OptixGRADE, making a WIDE MOVE under cold, windy and snow WEATHER conditions. 

#2 DYNABLUE fits off his current form (Standard) in today’s race shape and finding a subtle change in class. He has form and tactical speed from prior starts over this main track and likely to be more assertive with the trip under Santiago today. The trip and change in distance could also upgrade #7 ANDREW THE GIANT as he finds much needed class relief exiting the allowance races as well as the added (STRETCH) ground. 

The connections wheel right back once again with #5 LAVENDER EARL, one that holds some form this season and competitive races from early this print that stack up on par. The timing for this race and return to the route distance suggest positive intent and the time, if any to put forward a competitive race. 

#8 COMFORT ME NOW could hold a pace advantage and show early speed stretching back out to a route distance and back on the dirt. He was entered at this level in the October 28^th common race, though was a scratch that day and returns here with just the one published work. 

#9 ANDTHETHUNDERROLLS has the OptixNOTES Projection to IMPROVE from the November 20^th effort and trip, though finds himself in a tougher spot this afternoon and while that upside is projected, the placement presents another hurdle all together. Value could land short on his fellow Quad IV rivals #3 COWBOYS DREAM and #4 IRISH DECLARATION on the win end in this race shape.

#3 GAME BOY BENNY does not “standout” on the Plot with his October 1^st and November 12^th races impacting his position and shape. Splitting those two starts is a very solid place finish as the BOS/Best of the Speed at this condition and higher OFR back on October 23^rd. That race fits at this level and for his current form cycle as Baird jumps back aboard.  The early pace might not be as “fast” with the 29 SpeedRate though the Contention, especially from Standard should set up a closing, off the pace run for #6 BEEALEA with the strong late (Large Square) kick from Quad IV.

The race shape is “chaotic” with the “Red” PlotFit with many in this field stretching out from their usual placement in sprint races. The return to a route distance also upgrades #5 MADELYNS HEAT keying off the two starts back in October with improving and competitive form shown in the Past 3 Runlines. The race shape should still find a scenario for the projected race favorite, #7 FUTURE VISION to work out the right trip forwardly place from Quad I. 

Longshot runners to consider: #6 RIP IT RYAN has buried form that jumps out when looking at the Plot and should fly under the radar from the appearance “on paper” to get dismissed by the public. #9 DARE GOES DA DEVIL also comes into this race with buried form this season. The connections have wanted to STRETCH out in distance going back to October 16^th when taken out of his RunStyle and then followed up with TROUBLE on November 20^th.