Handicapper Tips & Picks

#6 CLASSY MISCHIEF debuts for Contessa, a barn that has had success this time of year at Belmont throughout his career. The assignment of Rosario is another positive sign as this combination has pair has teamed up with live first time starting juveniles in the past. 

The class drop for #3 PLAYINGWITHMATCHES is the right move for this horse that has been holding his form, though overmatched and unable to compete for the win. #6 MOVING PICTURES has been competitive at this N2 claiming level and should move up in this spot coming off the turf race on May 26th when wheeling back in just a week and dealing with TROUBLE in running. He was entered in a similar $25k N2 claiming race as MTO and unable to get the surface has been waiting for this race to go. His stablemate #4 PRESSURE could get a lot of attention here with the drop. He did not move up as projected on the drop back on May 11th and overall does not hold any edge off his current form with others in this field to justify the projected shorter price. 

The RunStyle versatility could benefit #5 SLIPSTREAM in this race and complexion. He has been able to show early speed and also show GRIT, the edge over fellow projected pacesetter, #4 HEAVEN STREET. #2 CAZADERO also has shown front running sprint speed at times in his career though is a poor gate (SLOG) horse. 

#1 YES AND YES took a shot in the Jaipur (G1) and turned in an honest effort, the type of race he should be able to repeat and compete back at today's allowance condition. A similar RunStyle and 7f distance specialist #6 LUCKY CURLIN could offer value of the two keying off the Elusive Quality stakes, a common race for these two back in May. At the time LUCKY CURLIN was coming off the peak season at Gulfstream Park and has been given the freshening, 55-days, a rider change to Castellano for this race and improvement expected here. 

#6 JUST A NYQUIST coming off an excuse at the start on June 18th and has back form especially the May 4th effort and 86 OptixFIG that stands out in this field. 

The connections of #7 AMITY ISLAND have been too ambitious placing this horse against the higher Optional Claiming company this season. He has been holding his form and figures, both that move him up in today's group and should be overlooked off the running lines and finishing position. 

Toner showed a lot of confidence with #4 HEADLINE NEWS sending this colt out live on the Preakness undercard for his debut. He did not have the cleanest trip, showing ability to finishing in a blanket for the minors. He has been given a freshening since that race coming back in this second start picking up Jose Ortiz. Stamina being a test form most in this field at the 10f distance and off the debut visuals there are no overwhelming knocks for the added ground. 

#7 FLY RIGHT should be favored in this race with competitive efforts and posted figures though still must show more overall to win. #6 SWORE for Motion/Prat is one that should find attention on that alone and while some overall upside is present he will find a class test shifting to this circuit. 

Longshot #8 WHENLOVETAKESOVER could get overlooked for his connections and as a racehorse stacks up with those other two. 

Outside of the "obvious" runners in this race; #8 SCIENCE should offer value and upside as he makes his second start back off the layoff. Not only does he have the June 2nd return race under his belt, the rider change back to Carmouche, the rider from the BLANKET finish October 13th suggest intent today. 

#6 GALT has come up short at this level without much excuse this season, though does catch a softer race par today and current form/figures that should allow for him the right group to get that win - no excuses today. 

There was not much between #1 ANATOLIAN and #9 LULLABY LAND in the June 1st outcome, though a contrast in "tactics" upgrades LULLABY LAND here and also in terms of expected number on the board. 

#8 LAY THE GROUNDWORK is unknown for today's 10f distance though handled 9f back in April, and comes back with the 43-day freshening for this race that should have her sitting on a top effort here. 

Both #2 HIGHLAND GRACE and #6 RHOMBIQUE are proven at the distance (something that will earn them play) though have challenges with HIGHLAND GRACE stepping up to take on winners and the 215-day layoff for RHOMBIQUE. 

Trying to get "creative" in the finale: #1 DON'T TELL AMY earned a strong figure in her debut last October, a number that stacks up on par and in line with the more "logical" types in this field that have proven turf form. She has that unknown today though has not given any strong signs she cannot handle grass and has shown she can hold her own against solid rivals keying off the company lines from her three starts to date. #6 MEOW MEOW HISS should benefit from the class relief and the drop should move her up naturally in today's field. Some further intent could be in play as she makes her first start for De Paz and picking up blinkers. The May 7th race has been mildly productive and noted as #4 FINANCIAL ADVICE also returns from that race turning in a competitive effort one that was competitive in an extreme race shape. 

P 3 Do Better 4 Firearm 10 Miki Ray

P 6 Coligny Hanover 5 Toronto 4 Mad Man Hill

T 8 Northern Dali 6 Muscling Vegas 5 Wedding Dancer

P 4 Dance Number 5 All Of Me 6 Lady Get Lucky

P 3 Elises Delight 4 Mending Fences 5 Twin B Echo

T 4 Baroness Hill 8 Mass Hysteria 2 Righteous Resolve

P 2 Shoot The Whiskey 4 Settn A Precedent 7 Shes Got It All

P 1 Stop The Shootin 2 Grand Poobah 6 Hervey Hanover

P 9 Major League 8 Beyond The Sea 7 Arizona

P 3 Carson Gouda 2 Silent Crossing 1 Chiefs Dream Girl