Handicapper Tips & Picks

Weather could be a factor for the Wednesday card but hopefully things hold out until later in the day. In here, 3-MARIA'S GIFT was good in a race here on July 20. She rated close and ran on last. With very little pace in this spot she may even inherit the lead and never look back. 1-GHAALEB'S DREAMS dropped to this level last out in her third start off the long layoff. She shouldn't be too far back as she searches to regain some of the form she had shown prior to heading to the bench. 6-TWELVE RED ROSES ran a couple of decent races at this level earlier in the meet but disappointed her backers as she was favored in both starts. She had little to no pace to chase in those spots and could be in a similar situation once again today.

Runners from the Childers barn have been solid in recent weeks as 4-KINGSBURY ATTACK should be sitting on a good performance as well. He has rallied late in his last four while on the turf and his best figure came at this distance. If everyone stays in, he should get enough pace to chase. 6-MONSTERONTHEMIDWAY was a good maiden winner last out and takes the logical step up in here. He picks up bug boy Rodriguez who has ridden this course very well.  With more pace upfront, he should be flying late. 5-BRODY'S FLY is worth a look at a price. His only turf start was a good effort and he may be able to tuck in just behind a contested pace and get the jump on the closers in the lane.

If it is ever going to be the day for a horse to finally win, this could be it for 2-EVIE JEAN. She's been the best she's ever been in her career this year. Her best races have come with Tavares in the saddle so everything looks to line up today. 1-HOLY STAR has speed and has also run some improved races on the year. She tried the turf last out, splitting the field but with the class drop and rail draw, her speed could make her tough. 5-TWICK OR TWEAT showed little in the meet but has gradually improved. She runs for the Watkins barn, which has had a great meet, as she will likely rate mid-pack early and look to run on in the lane.

The combination of class relief, rail draw and connections should be enough for 1-RIVZONAROLL to get the victory with these. He ran some solid races last fall and was good in his first start of the meet. His last two have been disappointing though as he makes the class plunge today. 7-TEA AFTER BALLET runs for a barn that has had a solid meet, often times with horses running well at big prices. He will need pace to chase, but he may get it in here as he figures to close well late. 2-ROCKET HOTSHOT also takes the big class drop as he turns back in distance. He has fared well while sprinting and is another that will rally late if the pace upfront is swift.

The recent races haven't been much, but they've also come against tougher company as 2-GOLD BUCKLE takes the class drop in here. He ran well earlier in the year at Oaklawn, with some of those efforts coming for this barn off the claim. With a couple in here with speed to the outside, he may be able to tuck in and look to get the jump at the top of the lane. 6-MIDNIGHT BLUE NOTE is one of those with speed as he is running well for his 10yo campaign. He isn't overly fast early but does know how to handle himself when up close and that's where he figures to rate today. 3-CHRISTMAS PRESENT should get a good stalking trip similar to what he found last out. He has just the one win over the track but has found the board in 10/18 Hawthorne starts as he figures to be a square price in this spot.

So much pace in this race that I'm not sure if anyone battling for the lead will be able to hang around late. Thinking 5-PLAUSIBLE DENILE gets a good stalking trip in here as he comes in off a troubled trip in his last. The switch to Hernandez in the saddle gives him a stronger finisher which is something he may need as the pace comes back to the field in the lane. 2-CORTESE is well spotted for Hernandez as another Kentucky high priced claim that looks to be a threat in Illinois. He chased last out before giving way but the addition of Lasix for this start may be a sign of what he dealt with late in that last race. If multiple horses battle for the early lead, a horse like 3-DASH TO THE CASH may be in a position to rally late once again. He was a good winner three back and held his own at this level in his last couple. You won't see much of him early, but he could be picking off horses in the lane.

Returning off a voided claim is 5-DRIVEN ONE for the Mason barn, which has been solid in recent weeks. He has speed and should be on or near the lead the entire way. He battled in his last, losing to a return winner and will be a threat on either turf or dirt. 10-CLEAR N CONVINCING is likely turf only as he comes off a good race from the layoff last out. He raced without a shoe in that spot after experiencing some paddock issues. With an uneventful lead up to the race today, he should be very tough. 11-WHERE'D THE DAY GO closed late in his last in one of his better efforts of the last couple of years. He will need some pace to chase as he runs for a barn that looks to have him ready off a brief layoff.