Handicapper Tips & Picks

#4 VIVA LA RED should move up as she makes her second start this meet and class relief from the August 18th race. She showed run despite finishing off-the-board, recording an 86 OptixFIG that stacks up strongly for this level.

The turf course appeared to favor horses inside/saving ground on July 29th and played against both #5 LIGHTS ASTERN and #10 VIEWERS DISCRETION coming out of that common race with the WIDE trip. Class is a slight rise for #6 IPANEMA GIRL as she shifts to take on open company. Where she moves up is with the added ground (STRETCH, GALLOP+) as projected on debut last summer and with the return to the TURF, the surface switch positive change as she returns to make her second start of the year from the July 23rd race. 

While it may appear #5 MORNING ADDICTION stands out and could hold a pace advantage, her current form could project a vulnerability coming off the win three weeks ago, the August 10th race where he had to work HARD on the day to win. #10 WHY BEHAVE could make things tougher for her on the front end with early speed as she stretches out today and first off the claim with Mulhall adding the blinkers. She is an interesting individual in this race and can make the case for her at the right price. 

#9 CHARLOTTE HARBOR fits at this lower claiming level and for today's mile distance. She should offer value in this race off the recent running lines and finishing off the board compared to others returning here with the recent in-the-money finishes sitting on top of their past performances. 

Closing in these 5f turf sprints has not been easy to do though if there is a scenario and horse for that trip, #5 HONEY PANTS is that runner. The pace here should be contentious and that is what she will need today for her run. A top effort is also required especially to run down #1 FREEDOM FLYER and #3 BRANDON'SMYLAWYER two that sit preferred of the first flight. 

#1 MISS MONARCH BAY turned in a solid effort when she made her debut last November. She posted a strong 85 OptixFIG, a number that stacks up with some of her older, more established rivals in this race and that one start being just her debut as a juvenile, could still project a forward move. 

#7 SATOSHI also has a license to move up in her second start from the TRAFFIC trip and should benefit from the added ground. She will find some other unknown changes as she shifts to the dirt and the bigger hurdle as she steps up in class to take on open company here. Hofmans will also be represented by #8 SMELL THE COFFEE one that could be well-intended here first out. She has moved forward in her works over the last month and they have to be pleased with the outside draw for this individual, one that moves with "turfy" action and can avoid kickback with this post and with an aggressive rider as Vazquez has the call. 

Karen Headley will also start a pair with the seasoned #2 SIDE BY SIDE one that is tough to trust with confidence as she has come up short at this level without excuse. First time starter, #4 UNBRIDLED LADY will make a belated debut showing up as a four-year-old. She should be as race ready as possible given the timing and series of works coming into this race, though have not seen this filly to assess where she fits from a physical standpoint.

As noted earlier, early speed is key in these turf sprints and has been historically the most effective RunStyle on this course. #1 UNWRITTEN CODE fits that profile and with the inside post should be in that role without question right from the start. The connections have been looking for this type of race for her making her return off the layoff noting she was entered in a similar spot on August 6th unable to draw in off the AE. The early pace contention could also become "softer" with a lot of the other early speed (E/EP) drawn on the AE and potentially unable to make the race. 

Looking at some others that project intent: #8 PALEO'S PRINCESS looks to fit that bill as she makes her second start off the layoff and return to the one-turn distance where she has been more effective. #4 SPOILED ROTTEN will look to, and must improve, as she switches to the turf, though if she is to improve with that change she is in the right hands with Miller first off the claim and Hernandez in the saddle. 

#10 INFINITEEXPERIENCE takes the significant class drop to run for the tag today and looks like an aggressive move to get the win as another that has run well in each start and returning from a BTL effort making a WIDE MOVE and could even IMPROVE off those visuals. 

#2 CRYPTOHOLIC is another that makes the surface switch to find class relief to compete. While he did move up on the turf, he also moved up with the route of ground, a STRETCH projection earned on his debut, a main track race last June. #6 PARK CITY also takes that drop and while that certainly cannot hurt, he showed some ability last year and has been disappointing since - a turnaround desperately required. 

#9 NOBLE UNION gives up a lot of recency as he returns today as a four-year-old and first start back in 566-days. There are reservations with that type of layoff, but also seems somewhat intended here for the connections (barn/owner) that have sent out live here at Del Mar and pick up a top rider in Fresu. 

Of the runners that have $20k MCL experience, #12 LEN'S LUCK is one to keep on the radar should they draw into this race and overall. He is coming off a BTL effort on July 22nd and project to IMPROVE racing X_FLOW on August 11th.

T 5 Ricardo 9 P L Quinella 4 Radcliffe

P 5 Bettor Bea Terror 6 Matts Gem 7 Nothing Bettor

P 7 One Last Wish 1 Cheesy Smile 2 Lady Get Lucky

T 6 Simcoe Seelster 3 Kevin Anthony 4 Villefranche As

P 8 Better B Bold 7 Moment Is Here 3 Midnight Nation

P 1 Twin B Betty 8 Millop Hanover 2 Shoot The Whiskey

P 10 Powered By Mach 9 Velvet Singer 8 Settn A Precedent

P 2 Lyons Bettorday 4 Ima Doll 6 Big Big Plans

P 4 Silver Label 7 Prohibition Legal 6 So Much More

P 5 Reggae Hanover 4 Glenboro 2 Mystic Wild Rose

P 4 Jm Betonsix 1 Totally Rigged 5 Grandeur Seelster

P 9 Dollydaydream 2 Girl Scout Cookie 7 Can The Be Real