Handicapper Tips & Picks

An unexpected speed duel developed between a couple members of this field the last time they met and it compromised both their chances. They are likely to be joined by another front runner today. Guessing all three will go for the lead and that should set things up for the late movers. 5-GHAALEB’S MAGIC fits that description perfectly. Guessing he cruises by late. 2-ARCH FLYER went off as the even-money favorite in that last race but he was one caught up fighting for the lead. However, he doesn’t need the lead to win. Can stalk before coming on late. 6-COOKIN ROSES was given a breather since early June but he had a night drill to get him back on his toes. He is the quickest member of this field but he does tire late. We’ll see how long he hangs on.

Tough little race. There are no toss outs. Most in here have been in lackluster form, including 6-LYKAN, but he has been racing in some awfully tough fields at Oaklawn, Churchill, Ellis and here. He hasn’t won in at least two years and he only accomplished victories in three of his 37 starts but he could get on the right track with the class relief. The two Manley-trained runners both figure prominently. 1-BASEBALL POLITICS won his last two downstate but he was also running well in allowance company here prior to those starts. Recent claim 4-LATIN CASINO is having a great year. He won the last two times he took on rivals similar to these and overall scored in four of his nine local starts.

7-BLUE TEARDROPS might surprise. He showed little in his races but was running on turf and synthetic tracks. He’s been much improved since moving to dirt. Just graduated. Stretches out of the main track for the first time. Might lead throughout. 6-BRODY’S FLY drops in class. He’s been competitive against better in last couple. However, he finished up the track three races back when he raced at this level. Has to prove he’s good enough. Have to appreciate the recent form of 1-SEQUAYA. She finished second in her last three starts. However, she’s a mare meeting the boys and she won only one of 37 starts.

Runners from the Perez barn usually need a race or two. 5-MANEUVER was no exception. He made his debut in a race that was too short for him but rallied well enough to finish third. Stretches out. Has the benefit of experience. He’s bred to enjoy the longer distance. Could get there. 7-BOONE’S PATH could be on the lead every step of the way. He has been running out of gas late in his races but this is probably his easiest field yet. Might last. The other Perez-trained runner, 2-ICE AXE, is likely to get far more action after a series of competitive events. He finished in the money in all three local starts while meeting some pretty tough company. 

Wide open contest. I’m thinking that 2-JUJU’S SPECIAL GIRL will be the quickest of these. Ships in from Indiana. Showed little in last but that was her first race since September. That race could have primed her for this one. Obviously 4-MY LIPS ARE SEALED will get a ton of play, as most of Block-trained runners usually do, but she could be vulnerable. The previous shortest race of her career was a mile. Not sure she can close enough at this shorter distance to get into top gear. 5-LIPLINER seldom gets much respect but has a knack for getting close. She’s been good on and off the pace. Narrowly lost last. Could be primed for the upset.

6-TAPE TO TAPE could be tough. This well-traveled gelding won six of his last eight starts, dating back to last year. He just finished third in a stakes at Presque Isle after wiring the field in another stakes at Prairie. But, he’s unlikely to get an unchallenged lead today. Will he prove to be vulnerable? 1-KAVOD could be every bit as quick as top choice and he has arguably met tougher fields in his career. He’s been gelded since his last start after finishing second in his last two. Many improve dramatically after gelding. Don’t ignore. 7-DEVIL’S TOWER sports some of the highest recent speed figures in this field. He was claimed two starts back and promptly won for his new connections. Should love the pace ahead of him. 4-W W CANDY has home-field advantage as well as the possible advantage of being a sharp closer in a race that could feature blistering fractions. 

7-CHARGE ACOUNT ships from a tougher circuit. She’s been competitive lately at Gulfstream and narrowly lost last, though that race was on the main track. She does her best running late. 5-COMMAND POINT moves up in class but she looked sharp winning last after narrowly missing in her previous start. She’s another likely to be flying late. Can get there. 1-PRANCIPANTS also moves up. She was running in $4k claimers earlier this year and is already making her 12^th start of 2023 but he looks like the only real speed in this race.