Handicapper Tips & Picks

#3 TIMELESS GLORY is upgraded with today’s race shape (Square) and current form coming back from the June 11^th race and B- OptixGRADE. She has enough tactical speed to rate close to #1 HER GOLD MINE (along with #4 HARD LIKE HOLLY and #5 CAIRO SUMMER) with first run.

#2 NO NANNETTE NO does not “standout” on the Plot, though comes back to the main track and key class change to the level where she recorded a B- OptixGRADE back on May 4^th. #6 WEEKEND PASS is tough to back on the win end, though has a solid late kick (Quad IV Square) and will be running on late picking up horses to get a share. 

As far as class and speed figures, #7 CLEAR N CONVINCING and #8 MALIGATOR stand out over this field. The challenge for the pair will still be trip as they cut back to a sprint and naturally off-the-pace (Quad IV) runners. The pace does appear contentious with the “Fire” OptixPLOT designation for these two to come running at late.

With the chance to get creative at a price; #6 BOURBON TEDDY will make his first start on the TURF, an OptixNOTE projection given back on May 4^th and could step up on the surface switch. #2 MUD ISLAND is another that will be trying the TURF for the first time and was given a similar OptixNOTE Projection earlier on in his career. Those two with early speed require a new top to win, though should have the jump (pace wise) on their main rivals. 

#7 MADELYN BELLE stands out in this field off her debut earning the lone B OptixGRADE and higher 71 OptixFIG. With that June 7^th race being her first start she raced GREEN both reluctantly to load (GATE) and broke slow (SLOG) before making a late CLOSE to finish together at the wire with the pacesetting winner, R Katiebug.

#1 LOVEYOULIKECRAZY also returns from the June 7^th race where she was making her first start back off a 186-day layoff. She took a legit stumble (TROUBLE_S) at the start and making a RUSH into the duel/FTQ, a solid effort to hold show (B- OptixGRADE) all things considered. #5 LADY WHITE SOX could spice things up as she returns today off the layoff. She recorded a solid speed figure in her second start, the June 24^th race last year, that number stacking up with others and not far off her main rivals. 

The “Fire” Contention is paired with the lower SpeedRate, a scenario that could upgrade #8 OPTION of the group of Quad I runners as the Large Square and lone Surface/Distance Square. #1 UNCLE NICK is part of that Quad I group sitting a s Circle based on his current form. His back class and figures upgrade him in this race, though does require price compensation to offset the current form that lacks an edge in this field.

#4 FLASHY RICHIE is another that has back numbers to make him competitive and a favorable Plot position tracking as a Quad II Square. His current form is not overly exciting, though has been consistent and lacks “Red” in the OptixGRID for his races this season. #5 LOOK AWAY could also find himself in the right spot to turn his current form around in the third start here this season. The March 26^th sprint was coming off a three month break and had a long DELAY to the start. He returned from another three month break on May 25^th race against a higher claiming class and first start on the turf with TROUBLE_S and all around did not appear much intent (77-1) in that spot and makes for a better fit at today’s claiming level and main track. 

#1 REALLY GOOD has the stakes and distance experience on his side to present an edge shipping in for Maker. He will return to the turf from the May 14^th off the turf race showing run contesting the pace while wide making an early move before losing ground in the lane as the race shape was slowing late. His form from that race was flattered when Salute the Stars came back from that win to score in the Pegasus last weekend at Monmouth Park.

#5 ACT A FOOL has run numbers in line with Really Good though as shown with the “Red” Keywords in the Past 3 Runlines, has had favorable scenarios playing a role. The maiden win 87 OptixFIG for #6 OUT OF DEDUCTIONS puts him right in line and the B+ OptixGRADE to suggest he can handle the step up in class.

Perez will send out a trio in this race all with ability in their own right, though require a step up to get on the level of their rivals here. Maiden #3 MONEY AGENT returns with #2 WOLF HUNTER from the June 8^th race and presents the most upside of that duo. #3 MONEY AGENT was making his local debut and just a second career start where he made a positive physical appearance and showed run after a slow (SLOG) start and off the visuals projects a move forward and should give an honest account of his abilities here.  

#3 LOOKIN FOR BALA has legit early speed and shows up back at Hawthorne from a dominant (B+ OptixGRADE) score last month at Fan Duel. He will be class tested back in against open company, though has a competitive race under similar conditions here back on October 21^st where he made a RUSH into a Fast (X_FLOW) early pace and still hung around late for show. He will be kept honest on the lead once again today and especially with #6 ELI’S PROMISE in the field, a legit SPRINTER returning to the preferred distance in his third start off the layoff and has the recency edge over #1 RIVZONAROLL coming off the 197-day layoff to run against open company.

#2 CALL ME ICE MAN should benefit from today’s race shape, stalking Quad II Square, with the “Sun” Contention. He has current form at the N1X allowance condition and should hold plenty of fitness chasing WIDE up close to a fast pace last month in the stakes (night racing) at Prairie Meadows.

Even with the full field, #7 SOLID COUNTRY GOLD stands out in the group as the horse to beat. He checks the boxes on speed, class, form and proven on the turf and distance. His form coming into this race is strong, keying off the BLANKET finish back in March at the Fair Grounds, the BTL run at Keeneland and earning a B OptixGRADE with another BLANKET finish on June 1^st at Churchill Downs.

#2 SIMPLE LOGIC was compromised with the ride (TACTIC-) and TROUBLE in the trip coming off the layoff on June 4^th. The all around handling played a role in the place finish behind his perfect trip stablemate winner, Power Through. Despite holding some upside from that race, today’s race OFR is much higher and class wise, this IL-bred  is taking on a tougher group today. 

Santiago taking over on #4 DEVLISH HOUR should be more assertive with the handling, a factor (TACTIC-) playing against him and a role in the May 21^st place finish. Going into the race, he made for a logical type runner with the class relief in his second start off the layoff and has those same positives back in for the $6250k tag.

Looking to get more creative in a “spread” race: #7 BLACK RUSSIAN has been his own worst enemy at the gate breaking SLOG in each of his three starts. Despite giving himself that hurdle, he has shown run in each race and improving race-to-race both on OptixGRADE/FIG; #6 ADDIE’S PEACHES makes some positives changes from the class drop to the sprint distance to move up under today’s conditions. He had TROUBLE_S and WIDE returning from the 177-day layoff on April 13^th and compromised by the placement (ONE_TURN, DROP) as well as the ride (TACTIC-) on June 7^th. The Surface/Distance change for #8 CHERRY ORCHARD could have him further off the pace (Quad IV) in this group and trip must be considered in this case though carries form that stacks up with others in this field.

#2 MAD DRAGON projects to find a lot of public support in this race given the connections/Rivelli, to the place finish at the higher $15k MCL level and just his second start. With that said, his running line on May 25^th was flattered by a softer pace (FLOW) and should find a higher early pace Contention (Sun) with #1 UNCAPTURED DREAM and #5 STAN THE CAMERAMAN drawn to his inside/outside.