Handicapper Tips & Picks

If any day is going to be the day for Dash to the Cash this has to be it. The distance suits, there is enough pace to keep things not only honest upfront but also likely contested and this one has been running his best figures this meet. Have to think he can settle back in here, save ground, and roll on by in the lane.

This is a really scary spot because Fight On should win by a massive amount but this is also such a massive class drop from where he was claimed that it raises a lot of red flags. I'm not going to be scared off though as this owner has had more than their share of success, Emigh is in the saddle and either the horse wins and gets claimed, or wins and is starter eligible for the next two years. I expect to see the win and get claimed. None of the others in this field are great and clear sailing should be the only thing needed for a victory.

There appears to be a good amount of pace in this race which could compromise the chances a bit of High Brow from the outside. He's the most talented in the bunch but I think things set up for Papa's Lucky Seven to repeat. The one concern for me is that he doesn't get Tavares in the saddle (who is done for the season) but while Ulloa has struggled for victories, it is never due to a lack of effort. Let's see if he can get this one rolling late.

Dust Dancer should be a pretty solid favorite in here but I worry that the connections of Senor Mike send that one and compromise the chances of both horses. The Kirby barn has been very good in recent weeks and this is the time of year to step horses up from lower level claimers into try these state-bred allowance races. Deora Store has been good over the last three races and should be able to settle back early and come running in the lane.

Everyone at Hawthorne is always happy when trainer Ida Spagnola wins as she works her tail off with her horses. She won a pair of races the last weekend we raced and this is another that has been knocking on the door for a victory. Both Cat Royale and Tu Royal have potential to duke things out upfront as Joyzella should be able to settle early and close quickly late.

This is a  curious race as the top contenders are stuck on the far outside. With only a couple likely to show speed, this may be a field that is tough to close into late. With that said, the post draw and running style may give Evidence a chance at a price. He has the ability to sit in the second flight early and has been running on in the lane in his last couple. The added distance off those races should only benefit him in this spot.

Giving Comiskey Park one last chance as he really should have gotten past this level earlier in the meet. The key for me here was that Emigh chose this one over Baseball Politics, a horse he rode to a solid score last time out. Comiskey Park was allowed to get too far back early in his last couple but in the races Emigh has ridden him, he tends to rate much closer to the early pace.

The outside two in here seem to be the best fit for this spot as each come off good races around two turns. Danville may be the slightly better price as he makes his second start off the claim. He was a game winner in his last and should find enough pace in here to allow him to settle early and make one move in the lane.

Despite Mud Hut likely being sent away as a heavy favorite in here, there really isn't a huge difference amongst those in this field. The rider change and added distance should help the chances of Maiden Rock as she comes off one of her better efforts on the year last time out. The added 16th should help and the removal of Lasix two races back may have been beneficial for her.

Shortening to a sprint may help the price on Behavin Myself and I'm hopeful the distance isn't too short. At 6 1/2 furlongs there should be enough time to get into the race as the pace should be honest upfront. He has run well over this track in eight starts and figures to be closing quickly in the lane.