Handicapper Tips & Picks

8-BLOOD MOON was thrown to the wolves when he had to take on the likes of Moment in his local debut. Although he owns decent speed, he didn’t stick around for long in that race. However, it did give him a trip over the track. Meets a far easier group with the drop in class. Could wake up in a big way. 2-VERRAZANOINTHESKY riders a two race win streak and he won three of his four races at the meet. He’ll be tracking the pace once again. Meets somewhat tougher here but should still finish with authority. 6-POKER PLAY could be sent right to the lead. If nobody pressures him early he could take it all the way. 

Interesting race with that $12,500 exemption. But it does seem likely, with all the speed in here, that things could set up for a closer in spite of a seemingly speed-biased track. 8-LAKE MILLS fits that description admirably. He doesn’t own a big late move but he’s more of a “grind them down” runner. The drop in price can’t hurt. 1-ROGER MCQUEEN can press the pace but he can also track. He ran well the last three times he was entered in claiming events. Looks like a major player in this contest. 6-PINBALLER makes his 12th start of the meet. Fleet five-year-old won two of his last three. Could be right there from flag fall to finish. 

Have to give the nod to 3-GLOBAL EMPIRE. I’ll give him a pass on his last. Facing Moment is no easy task. But, other than that, he has been in competitive form all year with two wins and three other in-the-money finishes in 10 starts. 7-G T FIVE HUNDRED is an interesting runner. He’s coming off a second-place finish in his local dirt debut, though he was placed first through DQ. He’s stretching out for this. Although his previous route races weren’t so sharp, he should be given the benefit of the doubt at this level on the main track. 2-SLAVA UKRAINI has had two races against claimers and won them both. He owns better speed than most in here. Could be on or near the lead all the way around. 

4-CHAD'S FLASH can surprise. He's never run on turf and he’s never been around two turns but he looks like the only real speed in this race and he might be able to just coast on the lead on what is going to be very firm turf. 6-LAWMAKER  has been in decent form. He finished second at this level in his last two. Should be stalking the early pace once again. Could ease by late. 1-MONSTERONTHEMIDWAY was just DQ’d from a third place finish at this level, making his first start against winners. As usual. He'll be stalking the pace. Just not entirely sure the pace will be quick enough to set up for his late run.  

This race is wide open. There isn’t a toss out among the bunch. 4-CORTESE might be the best of the speed but he doesn’t seem likely to get an easy lead. However, Felix can generally coax good speed out of those he pilots. Might put the rest away. 8-RICHIESONAROLL was unable to catch the lone speed in last but he didn’t lose by much and he was clear of the rest of the field, including Cortese. He does own good speed and has a chance if he breaks on top. 5-DASH TO THE CASH might be overlooked after a poor effort last time out but he broke slowly in that race and really had no chance to catch them. He does possess a strong late move and he could benefit if the top pair lock up in a speed duel. 

1-SIMPLE LOGIC adds blinkers. He ran with them in his debut but not in the 21 races since. He's had a case of seconditis, all four races this year and in nine of his 22 starts, but maybe blinks on will make the difference. 7-MCMONEY finished a bit behind top choice in last but he might have been moving better at the end. The extra sixteenth mile of this race could be a great help. There is a lot of speed in this race but not sure if any are as fast as 9-AQUACAT. He won his last two by daylight, one on turf and the other on the main track. He jumps in class for this but he just might be quick enough to stretch his win streak to three. 

Will this be the last time we see 3-NYOMAN? This 11yo is still racing competitively but he is 11. In any case, he’s going to be racing right off what should be a fairly heated pace. Might take them late. 2-RISKY BOY had little chance versus the lone speed when he dropped to this level for last but the pace is likely to be contested in this race which should help to set up for his late run. 7-WILDWOOD SECRET could be the best of the speed. He’s been tiring late but he was claimed from last by a barn that has been having a lot of success with their claims. Might finally get the distance.