Handicapper Tips & Picks

5 Ms Streaking Eyes 4 Iza B Quick 3 Seis It Aint So

7 Favorite Teller 6 Union Quality 5 Gg Heart On Fire

This race is likely to shift to the main track and overall the surface should be neutral for the runners in this field. #6 DESSERT FIRST should also move up in this spot exiting the June 8^th common race showing run after a SLOG racing in TRAFFIC and against/X_FLOW the race shape chasing a Very Slow pace. She fits back under similar N2L claiming conditions keying off the BTL effort on May 4^th.

#5 LORRAINE’S LEGACY finds herself back on the main track and with a significant class drop -- and while that often can be a concern, in her case it makes sense as the visuals suggest she requires a DROP. This will be her second start off the layoff; going back to June 8^th she stumbled at the start (TROUBLE_S) raced WIDE and never looked to be a threat or intended especially with stablemate Tar Heel Girl the more fancied on the day and finishing second. Both fillies on the drop fit in this race and given the connections DESSERT FIRST could be longer of the two with price being the separator on the pair.

Longshot #3 GOTTA BE KITTEN ME was tough to back coming off a very long, 1580-day layoff back in April. She had a legit excuse (TROUBLES+) and since that race has started to improve with each start. She requires another move forward though if there is that move, this could be the time, Her physicality suggests the added ground will be okay and going back to her juvenile season prior to the layoff was running figures that stack up with today’s par and field. 

#5 DEVIL’S TOWER was claimed back in May and has been given a freshening (also the required time with the circuit switch) since that race for Hernandez and races here protected. In terms of class, he had been running in a similar OFR and purse this season to suggest he is in the right spot here to compete. His RunStyle and Plot position fit today’s race shape as does the outside draw for this compact field. Following this horse going back to 2021 he prefers to race outside horses and many of the “trips” in his career came when draw inside. 

Perez shows up with a pair in this race and potential intent. #3 AMBER EDGE debuted last month though was GREEN breaking SLOW and under minimal ask from off the pace just allowed to jog along. He has posted a work since and returns with a rider change with all factors to suggest he could show more in this second start. The published work tab for #5 LAUREATE is noting flashy (compared to the bullet recorded by rival #4 LIL RIVER back in June), though has consistency. The rider assignment with Mojica catches the eye as these two pair up for the first time this year though have had success together in the past.

#1 SILVER CHILLER has recorded some of the higher figures in this field though again takes on open company, a condition that saw him struggle on June 18^th. #6 WICKED WOW also returns from that event to make his second start and some improvement could be seen in this second start noting the SLOG and NO_PUSH first out. Fellow second time starter, #2 GOD GUNS N GUTS steps up shifting to this circuit as well as class running against open today – a vet scratch from July 1^st at FanDuel is also noted. 

Tactical speed looks to be key given the complexion of this race shape. #5 DREAM STREAK returns and under similar conditions where he lacked finish (and acted up in the GATE) over a sealed track on May 14^th and lacked similar finish last month. #2 BALI DREAMIN could be overlooked with the June 23^rd race sitting on top of her past performances; a race where she was compromised with the TROUBLES+ and taken out of her RunStyle and projects to return to her front running ways.

#4 LOVE OF MY LIFE is not a true front runner, however, has enough tactical speed and projects to be more forwardly placed in this spot and with the circuit switch. She exits the races in Kentucky, a lateral move for this allowance and given a “flow upgrade” chasing Very Fast early paces in this most recent starts.

#3 SALLY’S SURPRISE did surprise with the move forward on June 29^th showing a lot of run in a race where she appeared overmatched. She made a move and continued to run to the wire making up ground and GALLOP+ past the wire. She has improved number wise with each start and fits as an improving type with numbers not far off many in this field.

That includes #6 STYLE, with her RunStyle from off the pace and trip becomes the main hurdle - and the main knock at an expected shorter number. 

#5 G T FIVE HUNDRED fits in this spot and in his second start on this circuit. Going back to his May 28^th start, he had adversity with the trip and TROUBLE and also at a time when Mason was cold still looking for her runners to fire on this circuit. The barn has headed up since and the placement here back in for the claiming tag, the placement where he was competitive and dominated (B+ OptixGRADE) breaking his maiden at Oaklawn Park.

#7 MY CRAZY NEIGHBOR has been entered to start a couple times this meet, and those days cancelled makes his return here. Excusing the turf start at Ellis Park and the 2022 finale on the Canterbury Park closing day card (followed up by a 284-day layoff) his consistency in speed figures (OptixFIG in the 80’s) noted within today’s par. #2 TABLE MONEY has spent most of his career protected and races today for the tag. His only other time for the claiming tag was the maiden claiming win back in April. The change suggests he is in a better placement here than the June 7^th allowance, or the $62.5k Optional Claiming event he scratched from on June 25^th. 

This race is unlikely to stay on the turf and could upgrade/downgrade runners with that surface switch. On class, #1 ANOTHER MYSTERY stands out. He is looking to get back to winning ways since winning this race last year, though has continued to hold his form and pick up checks in competitive graded stakes races. As far as the main track that is a total unknown though tough to hold against him never given the chance though has been able to translate his form from turf course-to-course, varying distances and on different synthetic surfaces. Stablemate #6 POWER THOUGH has not shown the same level of class and speed. He does also have one main track start, a sprint against statebred allowance company back in October 2021 recording a 52 OptixFIG.

Intent appears in play for #8 TEMPER TANTRUM as he makes his second start off the layoff and finishes second in this stakes race last year. He was able to get some fitness picking up the June 15^th win and with a favorable trip should not take too much out of him as he returns in this spot. The main track is unknown as it is tough to try and compare his two dirt races with those starts sprinting as a juvenile.

The main track shift should assist #2 WILDWOOD SICILIAN as he returns to stakes company for the first time since his juvenile campaign – winner of the 2021 Sun Power Stakes. He comes into this race from a diet of sprint races, and ideally prefers the one turn, though has been able to stretch his speed around two turns at times keying off his record last year. #4 READTHECLIFFNOTES has the distance edge of the two and also main track form as well as current form with a progressive pattern in this third start off the layoff. He will look to sit off Wildwood Sicilian and look for first run, a trip that has assisted him in the past and fits here.

#7 HUEY ATTACK has main track form, however, is lighter overall and distance wise makes his route return for the first time since June 2021 appearing on the Arlington Park turf course. Similar class concerns come into play with the former Block pair, #3 IOYA AGAIN and #5 LAND MARK DEAL with their connections taking a shot here. 

#6 BLACK RUSSIAN fits at today’s maiden claiming level and just needs himself to overcome to win. He has shown a pattern of SLOG in each start this season, and that habit leaving him compromised and too much to do late. The rider change to Blanche suggests in intent and the added ground with the extended sprint distance should assist late. Stablemate #7 JACKPOT BOY could be even further off the pace as he cuts back to a sprint for this race.

#5 DEVLISH HOUR seemed logical on June 25^th, though cane up short without excuse on the day. He has run well and competitive races from September last year at CBY and the play finish here on May 21stwith the WIDE. Felix will take over today as the seventh rider in as many starts and likely to be aggressive, a tactic that could prove effective in this race – and the edge over the other projected pacesetters, #1 BLUE TEARDROPS and #4 UNCAPTURED DREAM.

#3 NOBLE CREEKER projects to be a longer priced runner on the board and shift into overlay territory if that is the case. He needs a lot in his favor to win, though compared to many in this race that expect to be shorter on the board, he is right in line number wise.

#2 KATHAAN has run well in each start this season (including Keeneland) racing against the flow (X_FLOW) and against the SPACED, extreme race shape on June 22^nd making a late CLOSE. The potential surface switch remains a question mark, though as far as pace, she should have a mire contentious pace today with many front runners in this field and many of those front runners stretching out in distance front sprint races. Her stablemate #8 MY LIPS ARE SEALED returns from the same June 22^nd race and perhaps gain more attention with the place, BLANKET finish, though had a more favorable FLOW trip of the two on the day. 

Off turf to open the day. Looks to be enough pace for 6-DESSERT FIRST to tuck in behind and rally into in the lane. 5-LORRAINE'S LEGACY may be better on dirt than turf. She has tactical speed and figures to be in the mix throughout. 2-GYURZA rated close last out but there wasn't much pace in that race. Expect her to sit back early and run on in the lane.

Pretty sure 5-LORRAINE'S LEGACY will race. Her only poor start was her last race when she was making her turf debut while making her first start against winners. Her maiden win was on an off track too. 6-DESSERT FIRST is another likely to run. Her turf races didn’t impress but she was in better form on the main track prior to those turf tries. The drop in class can only help. 4-LOTTA ROSES did improve on turf but she would seem to hold a solid speed advantage over most of this field. Should be prominent throughout.

This race looks like a tossup between 5-DEVIL'S TOWER and 4-W W HOTSHOT. They have similar running styles. Both want the lead but are comfortable racing right off the pace. Giving a slight edge to Devil’s Tower because he has regularly faced better rivals and he won eight of his last 15 races. However, he was claimed from last so he’s racing for different connections. W W Hotshot hasn’t been quite as successful but this is his “home” track and local experience can make a difference. 3-MEDICINE TAIL doesn’t seem quite as fast as the top pair but that could work in his favor. He’s turning back in distance and isn’t likely to be close early but think he’ll finish with a ton of run if the top pair locks up un a speed duel.

Tough race to figure out. For the most part, those that have raced haven’t shown much and the first timers haven’t really impressed in their drills. Leaning toward 6-WICKED WOW. He got away slow in his lone start and didn’t pass much but I keep going back to his May 21^st bullet drill. That was a legit workout. It was a gate drill while most of the others working that distance just did breakaway drills. I also liked his drill after his races. Gets Felix in the irons today and he gets them out of the gate as good as anybody. 1-SILVER CHILLER might be the one to beat. He displayed good speed in his last three starts. He stopped in all those races, especially in last when he met open company (which is also the case today) but if nobody attacks him early, he might take it all the way. 2-GOD GUNS N GUTS ran evenly in his lone start, basically seven lengths back throughout. But, like many, he can improve with experience.

Don’t think 4-LOVE OF MY LIFE is a standout in this spot but her best effort would be good enough to win this. Like that she’s able to run well off the pace while most of her rivals will probably be gunning for the lead. She hasn’t shown that closing move in last few but might regain it in her local debut. 5-DREAM STREAK might be the most consistent speed. She doesn’t always wire them but it’s not for lack of trying. She hasn’t finished out of the money in at least 10 starts. Should keep that streak intact. Don’t ignore 2-BALI DREAMING. She had little chance in last when she tossed her head at the start and essentially missed the break but she had been in good form prior. She’s usually quick from the gate.

5-G T FIVE HUNDRED showed little in his lone local start but that race was contested on turf. He’s now had two turf races and he finished up the track in both. He’s been far more competitive on the main track. He had a couple good drills since. Might regain the good form he displayed in many of his Oaklawn starts earlier in the year. 2-TABLE MONEY didn’t beat a runner in his meet debut but think this group is quite a bit easier. He works as though he likes this track. Deserves another chance. 3-BALADINE takes blinkers off. He’s been tiring after contesting the early pace in races and he might be able to relax without the blinkers. Might have something left for the finish.

The complexion of this race changed dramatically with the move from turf to dirt though the likely top contenders might be easier to pick out, though there is one big MYSTERY. 1-ANOTHER MYSTERY is a stakes winning, graded stakes placed turf specialist with over $640,000 in earnings. He does have two main track victories but those were contested on Arlington’s synthetic track. So, the big question is…will he or won’t he run? The two runners you can’t be fairly assured will run are 2-WILDWOOD SICILIAN and 4-READTHECLIFFNOTES.  Wildwood Sicilian is the quickest from the gate and that speed will be magnified with the stretch in distance. Readthecliffnotes owns good route speed but could wind up chasing Readthecliffnotes all the way around.

Not in love with 4-UNCAPTURED DREAM, he’s making his 12^th maiden start, but he’s simply in better form than any of his rivals. He finished second in his last two after taking third against better in his local debut. 1-BLUE TEARDROPS comes off his best race yet. He dueled for the lead the entire race and was only a head short at the finish. He doesn’t, however, seem to be quite as quick as the top choice and might only lead the second tier all the way around. 5-DEVLISH  HOUR ran well to finish second in his local debut but took a month off after that race and could only manage a sixth-place finish against similar company in his return. But he did still display good speed. Have to consider.

This race could be decimated by scratches. Guess we’ll see. Most of the runners that are likely to stay in the race are sprinters stretching out so the early pace of this race could be crazy. Because of that I’m going to have to look at a runner like 4-INDICIA. She’s been splitting her time between turf and dirt so expect her to stay in the race. However, the fact that she possesses no early speed could make her tough. While many in here contest the lead, she’s going to be running near the back of the pack early and probably won’t be on anybody’s radar until the turn for home. Should come running late. 3-PLUS CHIC is very quick and would expect her to grab the early lead. However, she’s never been beyond six and a half furlongs and this race will be contested at a mile seventy. Not sure she can last if the projected pace materializes though she is bred for it. 5-SAY CHEESE won four of her last starts. However, she hasn’t raced since last August. But I like the way she’s been training. Might grab a share.

P 9 Resilience 8 Peeler 7 Wicked Leader

T 3 Cactustotheclouds 2 C S Goldpolicy 6 Ricardo

P 9 Bonitas Best Bet 4 Betterwithglasses 7 Youbet Hanover

T 9 Valuable Miss 3 Classy Royal 7 Hit The Bank

P 6 Halva Hanover 7 Millies Spirit 8 Winner Bells

T 9 Muscone 3 Charmbo Gem 1 Nautilus B

P 4 Too Easy 3 T H Jackies Legacy 6 Beth

T 5 Severence Angel 2 Winoosky 8 April Duford

P 9 Cheddar Shredder 1 Cheddar Crossing 7 We Meet Again

P 1 Control The Fire 2 How Much 3 Wicked Serena

T 10 Craft Made 1 Stormont Divide 5 Buckhead Ridge