Handicapper Tips & Picks

Sometimes money talks. There are, of course, no guarantees but 6-DOROTHY CROWFOOT was a cool $500,000 purchase. Nine workouts, a couple noteworthy because she outworked older and she was breaking from the gate, coming into her career debut should have her ready to run. 2-RUMBRANDT, overall, might possess the best string of drills. She had only the one bullet but all of her works were among the top third on the days she worked. She gets the top rider in the irons.  4-DEVIL doesn’t sport the lofty price tag but she’s another with some pretty nice drills and like top choice, runs for connections that do well with babies and first timers. 

Out of the six runners in this race, four could be gunning for the lead, including two from the same barn. Unfortunately, the runners most likely to try to make a late move have records of 1-for-37 and 1-for-32. So, we’ll try to guess which of the speed can sustain herself despite early pressure. Have to figure it will be 5-GETTING DOWN. She tired in her first two starts and ran like a champ when dropped into a $6250 maiden last time out. She was never tested and won for fun. Others in here seem a tad quicker but she was never all out in last. There could be more in the tank. 3-SEQUAYA just missed in a route in last start which was her best race in years. She pressed the pace in that race but probably won’t get near the early lead today. Instead, with the turn back, she’ll try to come on late. But she is 1-for-37 for a reason. 1-BELLS OF JOY, another turn back, finished third in her last three. Like Sequaya, she’ll be coming late and like that runner, she already has a ton of starts under her belt.

The complexion of this race changed completely compared to the race that was scheduled for Wednesday. In that race, that included most of these runners, there was only one runner likely to go for the lead. He’s not in this version. Instead two runners will be fighting it out for the lead in this version. So this time I’ll go for 3-SONNYISNOTSOFUNNY. He finished second as the favorite in last after taking the late lead. Think he’ll make amends in this one. 6-TIMEHASCOME and 5-TEE BURNS will be fighting for the lead. This incarnation of this race sets up far better for the late-running 1-DASH TO THE CASH. He finished third in last at this level in his first start versus winners but the extra distance of this race could weigh heavily in the outcome.

Leaning toward 1-GOLD OAK in this race. Runners from her barn often need a race or two to reach peak form but her pedigree shines, especially if it rains. Her long drills should have her dead fit. 5-BLAZE BEAUTY could be sitting on a win. She finished third in three of her four races this meet but seems to be getting stronger with each passing start. The move to the apprentice in the irons, with his weight break, could be the extra incentive she needs. Depending on what the first timers do, 3-ANGEL EXPRESS could turn out to be the best and maybe the only speed. Both of her races were on turf but she had some good dirt drills so we know she can handle the main track. 6-PACIFIC VIEW was barely beaten in her first two races of the meet but she seemed to regress a bit in last. However, she did show what she is capable of doing. Could bounce back with a big effort. 

Don’t imagine we’ll lose many of these runners if the race comes off the turf. I only see one likely scratch since most in here are essentially main-track runners with varying degrees of turf experience. It looks like six of the nine runners in here have a legitimate chance, especially at this five-furlong distance. Even though many in here are likely to fight for the lead, they can maintain their speed for this abbreviated distance. But, going to take a chance with 1-MALPAIS. He’s obviously been off form lately but he can close well and the move to the turf could be just what the doctor ordered, especially with all the speed ahead of him. 9-COMISKEY PARK is the unknown. He has good natural speed, closes well at times, drops into claimers for the first time in over a year and has had some turf success, without ever winning on the lawn. 7-IAN GLASS, 6-ONE PUTT RICHIE, 4-UPBEAT MELODY, 8-PATSTER, 5-LUCKY SHOT could all be vying for the lead. 

7-FIVE O’ SOMEWHERE apparently has some issues getting out of the gate in good order but he continues to train well. He just finished third at Churchill last month. Makes his local debut despite training here. Faces an easier group. Might be good enough to overcome a poor start in a softer spot. 2-RAVIN’S TOWN, a $300k purchase, has been training forwardly toward his career debut. Runners from this barn are generally ready at first asking. 1-CLASSIC RICHIE, stablemate of Raven’s Town, ran evenly to finish third in his debut at Presque Isle two weeks ago. Can build on that effort, runners from this barn making their second starts win about 27% of the time, and be even more of a contender in this spot. 

1-LARRY THE POET could be tough. He did tire in last, his first two-turn start, but he’s dropping from maiden specials to face an easier group and he should be able to benefit from his route experience. 2-GOLD SMOKE also drops. He’s had 10 starts, nine against maiden specials, but he finished second in his lone maiden claiming race and he went off as the favorite in that event. 3-HANDSOFFTHEGOODS showed little in his lone start. That race was on the lawn and he had to chase blistering fractions. His barn wins with 30% of runners going from turf to dirt. Figures prominently.

I’m guessing this race gets moved to the main track. It was wide open on the turf and that won’t change if it does switch to dirt. 1-PRANCIPANTS had a three-race win streak snapped in last but still finished second. She’s capable on or off the lead. However, she is making her 11^th start of the year and you have to wonder how much is left in the tank. 2-SHEZ RECKLESS likes to come from off the pace but has been known to challenge the lead at time. Got claimed from her last two starts. Guessing the jockey they are utilizing today will send her from the gate. 4-FIRST SQUADRON could be the first from the gate. She often tires but she had a couple wire-to-wire wins earlier in the meet.

Many of the runners in here are dropping from allowance company. 1-G T FIVE HUNDRED takes a much-needed drop in class. He finished second in an $80k claimer the last time he ran in a straight non-winners of two. This easier spot should help greatly. 6-BALADINE moves back to the main track. His dirt speed figures suggest that he could be the fastest of these but he was eased the last time he ran on dirt. 5-TABLE MONEY didn’t fire in his first start of the meet but he’s probably meeting somewhat easier in this spot. Can improve with a trip over the track.