Handicapper Tips & Picks

I'm thinking the little layoff could make a big difference for 4-ARCH FLYER as she picks up the 10 lbs. bug in the saddle. She has been solid in her last five and looks to get a good stalking trip in here. 3-FIRST SQUADRON has speed and likes this track. I expect she makes the top today and possibly without much pace pressure. If that's the case, expect her to hang around in the stretch. 6-PALAGO ran a big race off the layoff in her last. She did get a great pace setup ahead of her as the speed went way too fast early. She will be tough once again but may have to work a bit harder in here.

It wasn't a great trip in the debut for 7-GUCCI MAN as he got away slowly, was wide throughout and never given much of a shot. That also came while facing tougher in New York after training here at Hawthorne leading to the debut. He finds things easier today as the outside draw could be beneficial. He will be last to load and first out while may help the break. Let's see if he shows some speed into the first turn and improves in his second start out. 2-SAVE THE KING debuted at Ellis and made a good showing of himself. He also raced into some traffic early in that race before running on late. Expect a good performance in his second start out. 5-BERNIN TUNE is one of two Block runners as he is bred to run all day. He has a couple of solid drills but I wouldn't be surprised if he settles early and comes running in the lane.

Odd race as my top wo choices in here were both horses that I expected more from around two turns in their last starts. 3-GONE AGAIN ran a solid second to Tahoe Run two back but disappointed in his last. While sprinting, he figures to settle mid-pack early and should come running in the lane. 1-BLACK RAVEN is another that I thought would be good at two turns. He seemed to get leg weary in the lane last out though and may be best off sprinting as he makes a quick turnaround. 7-LARRY THE POET has speed and ability as he battled in his most recent start. The distance suits as he could try to steal this one on the front end.

I liked 1-NO NAP NEEDED in her debut and she ran fairly well at first asking. She showed speed in that spot and contended into the lane before giving way. She draws the rail in here and with a race under her belt, along with the shorter distance, let's see how she runs for her second start out. 7-JOYZELLA would have been my selection at 6 furlongs but I worry that 5 1/2 isn't enough time for her closing kick. I do like that she is back in with state-bred company again as a contested pace upfront will play to her benefit. 4-WILDWOOD GHALY makes her first start of the year as she has worked consistently toward her return. He had troubled starts in her first two career races before the extended layoff so let's see if she gets away in good order or not today.

A major class advantage in here goes to 6-CAPTIVATING MOON as he drops in to the lowest level of his career. He looks to get enough pace to chase as he figures to rate back early but should close with a rush. 2-SIERRA HOTEL has always been a favorite of mine as he seems to put forth consistent efforts on the grass. He does have enough tactical speed to get into the race early and if he can tuck in just behind the pace he should be able to move forwardly into the lane. 1-COMMAND CENTRAL has been a different racehorse since he won at the end of June. He's been right there in his last three while taking a lot of action at the windows in his last two. Expect him to rate close early and contend the entire way.

It hasn't been a great season for 7-PISTOL BOX but maybe this is where he grabs a win. He's never one that will be in the picture early but at times he does come running late. If the pace is contested upfront, Esquivel could have him closing quickly late while at a price. 11-GAGOOTS has been good on the year, finding the board in six of seven starts. He also tends to settle off the pace but should be moving forwardly in the lane. 8-WHERE'D THE DAY GO has a bit more tactical speed as he could tuck into the second flight early. The class drop and move back to the dirt could put him in the mix in here.