Handicapper Tips & Picks

2-DRIVEN ONE should be hard to beat though there is a caveat. He’s dropping in class despite running well in allowance company which does seem a bit strange, especially since he’s eligible for starter races. He has been running on the main track lately but won two of his previous five turf races. He has a class edge over the other front runners. Might never look back. 1-DYNABLUE finished third in his two turf races at the meet. In his 20-race turf career, he had three wins along with 10 other in-the-money finishes. He’s not a big closer but will try to grind them down late. Six-time turf winner 6-IOYA AGAIN will be motoring late. He finished behind Dynablue in last couple but he’s always a threat to take it all.

Short field but great race. It looks like a toss up between 5-DANVILLE and 1-HIGH BROW but there is little evident early speed in this race and if any runner shoots to an early lead, they could stay in control throughout. 2-GAME BOY BENNY might be the one to grab an early unchallenged lead. He’s not your typical front runner but he did display good speed in the past and, with the stretch out to a route, he’s naturally going to appear quicker than he has been sprinting.

7-LOTTA ROSES might be the one. She didn’t show all that much in her first six turf races but she did finish second in last at this level. 5-TEXAS PRINCESS finished third, three lengths behind top pick in last, but that was her initial run on the weeds and her first race with Lasix. Experience can make the difference. 1-VELVET SEASON was trounced in all three of her races but she’s stretching out and moving to turf and her barn has popped with some real longshots by making those moves.

1-WILMA MANKILLER has speed, the rail, and she won her last two starts by daylight. This is obviously a tougher spot with three of her four rivals shipping in, but she could be up to the challenge. 4-BLACK FOREST didn’t handle the turf or an extremely tough spot at Keeneland in her previous start but she had been strong in every previous start. Like top pick, she has shown tenacity under pressure. They could be head-to-head all the way around. 5-FROSHADO, another shipper, also couldn’t handle tougher at Keeneland. But she could have the perfect running style for this race. She’ll be stalking the pace behind the top pair and might be able to edge by late. 3-SWEET NELLIE is two for two since getting claimed by this barn. Like Froshado, she’ll be racing behind the early leaders and will try to run at them late. 2-SALLY’S SUPRISE could be in a little too tough.

6-MY LADY SLEW can surprise. There are no world beaters in the spot despite the conditions and the purse. She could be the best of the speed. She tired going a mile in last but she wired the field in her previous start. The turn back in distance should be a big help. Might lead throughout. Not in love with 4-PEACH COBBLER but she has been meeting what is probably tougher company. Her recent form leaves a lot to be desired but facing this somewhat easier field could be just what the doctor ordered. 8-GOOD MONGOLIA is always a threat. Six-time turf winner surprised in last. Meets what should be a tougher field here but it’s simply not that tough.

4-FOGGY KITTEN best fits the conditions of this race. She’s been claimed from her last three, going back and forth between two barns. She tired in her last but she’s been given a month freshening and could be in control of this field from start to finish. 3-GHAALEB’S APPEAL showed nothing last year but she finished second in both races this year. Probably stalks the pace hoping the front runners come back to her. 2-KITTEN ROCKS is often in the hunt. Drops in class, turns back in distance and goes from turf to dirt, Will try to come on late.

3-SHARP STICK has had two “eventful” local trips. In the first, he ran with blinkers and obviously hated them. In last, scheduled as a turf sprint, he had a ton of traffic trouble early and still managed to finish second. Today he’ll be stretched out and will race on turf for the first time. Beaten odds-on favorite could make amends. 2-TEN COUNT ran very well in his lone start; a maiden special on the turf here in September. He led from the start and then fought gamely down the stretch only to lose by a nose. He’s been working well for his return to racing. Would expect another top-notch effort. 4-DARK SOLUTION has the most turf experience. He’s had six races on the lawn and finished second in three of them. He finished well behind top pick in that last race but it could be an entirely different story on the weeds.