Handicapper Tips & Picks

4-GAGOOTS probably has the best chance at picking off the speed late. He’s been in good form lately. He finished behind Behavin Myself the last time they met but ahead of that rival in their previous start. 3-BEHAVIN MYSELF still has to be caught. He’s been in good form and even though he couldn’t hold onto the lead in last after an early speed duel, he still managed to finish second and it was another couple lengths back to the third-place finisher. He’s going to be facing that other speedy rival again, maybe along with Where’d the Day Go, but still think he can hang on. 2-WHERE’D THE DAY GO didn’t handle better on the lawn in last but he’s dropping back to the right level and switching back to the right surface. He could add to the pace but is just as likely to save his best running for late.  

This race was decimated by scratches when we came off the turf and the complexion of the race changed entirely. 2-FOLLOW THE SIGNS and 5-WINGING WAYS would have had a tough time on the lawn but looks like standouts with the move to the main track. 1-DRAGON DREW needed last. He came into that race with only one drill after a two-month layoff. He could be far fitter for this outing. Might put them all away. 

This could be the perfect spot for 2-WHITE LIES. She doesn’t possess a big closing move but she kind of grinds it out late. A fast pace is ensured with Isabellacannetella. The extra distance of this race could work to the benefit of this mare. Might run past them all late. There are a few in here with speed but 5- ISABELLACANNETELLA seems like the quickest of them. At six furlongs she would be my pick but not entirely sure she can get this distance. 6-RACETOTHEFINISH has been in good form for a while and she has mostly been facing open company. She’ll be sitting right behind the early speed. Might outfinish top pick. 

Not sure what to make of this race. Certainly, nobody stands out. Will go with 6-JUDY’S MS OFFICER simply because she finished second at this level two starts back. Good speed will have her close to the lead throughout. Could make a small late surge to get to the front in time. 2-LUNARCHY takes an ambitious jump in class but she found the right spot to do it. She owns ample speed and the right rider to utilize it. Can make an impact in her first start for this barn. 5-CRYSTAL SNOW drops in for a tag and moves back to the main track. She owns pretty good speed. Could be a factor throughout.  

1-SHARP STICK only split the field in his local debut but he was racing with blinkers for the first time and didn’t seem to like them. They come off for this start. Guessing we’ll see a far better effort today. 8-SIMPSON BAY makes his first start since July but he has been training well for a barn that brings them ready. He was obviously entered for turf but his best race so far came on dirt. 3-FROSTED TEMPTATION, stablemate of Simpson Bay, has been training forwardly for his career debut. Figures prominently today. 

Competitive race. I don’t know if 2-BOCA BOY can repeat his effort from last but he put away all challengers, early and late, and did it from the 10 hole. Omaha Red, the only runner to pass him, came right back to win by daylight. This gelding drew a better post for this race and could have an easier time getting to the lead. They’ll have to catch him. 7-W W CANDY will have dead aim late. He’s been good on this track and he’s at his favorite distance. Might get there. 5-SPORT PEPPER ran in a series of stakes races when he last raced but he hasn’t been active since 2021. But I like the way he’s been working for his return.  

Don’t know if I would like 9-JEALOUS EYES on turf but I am kind of guessing that this race will also be switched to the main track seems better on dirt. He finished third in both starts this meet. Guessing he’ll do better this time around. 7-FORWARD CURVE challenged for the lead late in the stretch in last but faded late. However, that was his first race of the year. Had a strong long drill since that start. Comes into this race better prepared. 2-PINBALLER has dangerous speed which he can use on either surface. He dueled for the lead throughout in last but still hung on for third. Figures prominently.