Handicapper Tips & Picks

Miller again returns with the pair of #2 SUPER ENTICING and #9 ASIAN MATRIARCH both shown run this season and also the need for class relief that they find here. #3 PETITE ANGE also finds class relief for this second start and while slight beneficial added ground. There have not been many to run back from the August 6th race, though  the event looked to have some quality and the two that have run back did not win, bit did show improvement; one being Avoir - the place finisher to Soho yesterday 9/8. 

#1 DREAMING OF HOPE could get a lot of attention for the connections. She worked 10.1 in June, in a drive, in blinkers and a longer bodied type has the shorter sprint distance and rail draw today. #8 LOVE HONOR AND PAY showed speed back on July 28th though lacked finish, there was a slight break after that drill until August 17th - have not seen the works since and that issue could have been sorted and if so she can compete here first out. #10 LITTLE LADY LOU has shown some run and pretty game in the morning. She does appear on the "turf" side and with the outside post must show early speed here. 

#3 DOVE IN CHARGE ran a competitive B- OptixGRADE race at the level here last month with TROUBLE_S making a MOVE. A rider change is in play and with the barn also returning with #9 QUEEN P (maiden win against 3 others two weeks ago) projects intent for rider, Panici. 

#8 TENDACIOUS LADY does not have to move up to compete here as the connections have been patient (41-days) returning first off the claim to drop in class for this race. 

#10 ROSE GIRL will make another belated return though has a slight excuse from the April race stumbling/TROUBLES+ out of the gate and taking contact before being taken in hand and could be intent returning in this spot. 

Tough with many first time starters along with the full field and many sitting on the AE. As far as the main body of the field: #9 TOBACCO HONEY could be live first out for Dollase and picking up Rispoli for this debut. She has a steady series of works with speed and stamina. 

#5 SLIDER ran a solid race on debut and the hard way making a RUSH into a fast/X_FLOW pace to stay on as the BOS and run down late by a highly regarded Baffert runner called Heartland. Sadler will also sent out #6 CONCORD BRIDGE (worked heads up with Cal-bred filly NAIDA debuting in Race 3) to make his debut and looks well regarded overall though one that still want to see more from potentially with experience, added ground and could also be fine on the turf. 

On the topic of Baffert he will be represented by a pair: #3 DIVINO one that has some run and has been coming along as of late. The blinkers were added for the 8/27 drill and had him more focused and forward working inside his company for the move. Similar can be said for #7 UTOPIAN one that has been training in blinkers and in company without any real knocks coming into this race. He looks like one that needs to be ridden aggressively should be as race ready as possible especially outworking his partner Lake Superior from the gate on August 28th - a much improved move of the two in the series. 

There is not much separation in this lightly raced group even as many are still maidens. Those three that have cleared the maiden condition must still improve - the case of #5 TAMBO stepping up from maiden claiming and both #1 FLATTERY and #6 ANGIOLLETA breaking their maiden with favorable trips/TACTIC+ and were not favored first out. #9 LOTERIE was favored in the July 29th race and returns here looking to improve as well. 

Michael McCarthy returns with a pair in this spot: #4 DOUBLE BAY earned a follow from her debut visuals making a MOVE and solid GALLOP+ after the SLOG. Rival #3 POPPY'S JOY also returns to make a second start from the August 6th common race and also breaking SLOG shied from a rival and was not asked. She returns with a rider change to Gonzalez, a rider that was named when Re-Entered from a MSW 8f turf event yesterday. #8 AURATIUM also Re-Entered here from that MSW yesterday and did have some slight adversity from the rail showing in the July 29th common race with others in this field.

#11 CAILIN DANA also takes this spot for her second start and one that earned a solid number in her sprint debut back on August 4th that moves her up on that alone. She showed run (SLOG, WIDE, MOVE) a trip that can be tougher to compete with sprinting on this course from off the pace for place behind front running chalk winner, Mysticism. 

The timing and placement might not have been the most ideal for #2 PACO'S PICO on August 26th as he did not have much excuse as far as trip. Perhaps this race was sitting in their back pocket wheeling back in two weeks with the drop that should benefit this horse naturally in the case there were no $40k takers. 

A similar plan could be in play with #5 COLT FICTION returning from that common race two weeks ago. He was claimed for $32k and from a taking WIDE trip win on July 30th. A return to that effort puts him back in the mix and should also appreciate the change in post to assist him to stalk outside horses. 

#6 PATRON D'ORO shows up with some changes for this race and running for Miller first off the claim. This will be his first start as a gelding and second in at the claiming condition. As far as class he will run for a lower claim tag, however this spot against open company is a higher par and purse to the August 4th race. A change that could come with some confidence (especially with Hernandez aboard) to run here with that purse even as the claiming tag could entice buyers.

#1 PARIS PEACOCK has look in this race and likely sitting on a peak effort as she could be flying under the radar. Proctor runners have not been as strong early compared to other season, though as of late some of those runners have taken steps forward. That could be the case here as she makes her third start of the meet off the layoff and with progression/fitness all around. She has back class and numbers to make her a player on that alone, the effort going back to last October in G1 company (an EX that followed at GP) at Keeneland the key race. 

Longshot #5 TRUSTY RUSTY returns to the sprint distance and with some fitness coming off the WIDE trip and outside post in his first start off the layoff last month. That August 10th claiming race is slightly softer as they step up to race protected here though given credit as the race has produced two next out winners, including race winner, Post Facto coming back to win a $40k claiming race.

The outside pair of #12 FATHER DELAY (good name for this horse coming off another pattern of layoff lines) and #13 HOUNDSTOOTH from a subtle trip along the rail as he made his 308-day layoff return two weeks ago. 

Morning line favorite, #2 SEAL TEAM has a challenge here as he takes on winners and established older horses as a factor to consider at the shorter number - nothing that has anything to do with his capable ability just offering no value and presenting value on others. 

#3 SEVEN WONDERS has ability though a tougher horse as he often creates his own trip. The 11f placement was not ideal and though have fitness from that return race, uncovered up close to an honest pace. He has a sneaky BTL race here under similar conditions and distance from last November from the outside 10 post - an effort that is likely to get overlooked deeper in his PP's and given the 5th place result.

The visual effort from #4 HAKKIMI on August 19th gives him an upgrade with the ability to IMPROVE off that race (another given no favors at the draw post 10) and encouraging he is back under similar conditions with Berrios. 

#9 DANCING RINCA also worth a mention given the morning line to outrun those double digit odds. He will reunite with Pereira, a change from the TACTIC- ride last month. He is also one to keep an eye on pre-race as he did wash out (WARM) on August 3rd, something that is not uncommon though watched for all the same. 

A full field and no shortness of talent in this G1 field. The lone graded stakes winner, #7 DREAMFYRE will be tested by some strong recent maiden winners. In addition, joined by #4 BENEDETTA with the solid WIDE trip place finish in the Sorrento (G3); and even #11 MOTET, not quite to the other two that day but credit in her own right making up ground after a SLOG and showing run GALLOP+ after the wire. 

Looking at those new faces: #13 LAURENT showed a ton of talent to overcome a terrible start making a BURST, CLOSE in a dominant B+ OptixGRADE for the debut win. #9 TAMARA also showed class to overcome the stumble/TROUBLE_S out of the game to make an inside/SAVED MOVE to win. Thee race shape was Very Slow early and Slow late and earning a B OptixGRADE by comparison will be tested here while the 90 OptixFIG fits with many in the field. That race shape did not flatter #5 HOPE ROAD getting run down by TAMARA while lacking a lead change. Her number improved for that second start from the July 22nd debut, though on Grade saw a decline from the BTL "B" first out coming from off the pace and could see a tactical change today as Pereira jumps aboard. 

#1 JULIAS DREAM also earned a B+ OptixGRADE for her debut win and will find some changes as she loses her rider to LAURENT and makes the surface switch to the main track. 

The rider change for LAURENT is noted as Hernandez sticks with #6 CHATALAS. A filly that was highly regarded on debut and ran to it picking up the win, though did have a favorable trip and number wise must step up as others have run "faster" coming into this race.  That July 30th race did have some quality with one of those runners, #12 GATE TO PARADISE returning here. She earned a follow and projects to IMPROVE off the debut and following her training into the race as well as the first out visuals, she has ability and more to show. 

A couple of new faces will make their local debut: #1 SEA OF CORTEZ was training at Santa Anita earlier this year and locally for quite some time to create some reservations. Distance wise this mile could be the max for #4 AUTOLINE though has shown intent to run here at Del Mar and appears as race ready as he could be. 

Returning from extended layoffs: #6 SPYCATCHER returns and back in with maiden company, a change from many on his races in 2022. #9 DANDY MAN SHINES also found himself in graded stakes company last year and ran well in this races even his December start here at Del Mar. He last form after that start and in the two Santa Anita races and looks intended coming back for Mullins and regular rider, Rispoli. 

A lot of racing luck is required for #15 LAHINA FLAVOR and #16 UNCLE OSCAR though both given a mention should they race turning in solid efforts this season and recency on their side. 

#2 DECISION TIME finished behind #3 DRINKING AND DREAM back on August 16^th though trip split the pair that day as DRINKING AND DREAM under Leonard (does not drive today) had the first move with DECISION TIME gaining ground and passing her with ease after the wire. The higher class on August 31^st had DECISION TIME overmatched though showed more positional speed and should benefit from that trip to return to this level where she can compete. #9 MINNESOTA MINNIE is still a maiden though has shown some run and improvement. She stepped up on August 8^th though going back to July 13^th made a middle move in a competitive higher $10.5k level at Running Aces.

#4 DANDY’S MS SWIFTY comes back from an August 16^th common race where she controlled on the lead and should be pushed along today given the complexion of the field and kept honest by DRINKING AND DREAM. #7 JIMMYLAI also returns from that August 16^th event with a sneaky good run making an outside move and finishing in a blanket for the minors.

8-7-2

#2 FOX VALLEY REEVA is up against older though can improve going back to the August 16^th race (a common race with many in race 1) when making a move into contention and broke stride. 

#9 BLUE DEVIL is coming out of competitive races and has raced well at Hawthorne. 9-1-3

2-DECISION TIME-Forget last at Hoosier; tough this level

3-DRINKING AND DREAM-Close almost every start

1-ROCKIN LEGAL-Inside speed can surprise

8-LA ROSA-Tough post but last in Indy says ready

2-FOX VALLEY REEVA-Sharp barn; last showed promise

4-IRIDESCENT REMI-In money last two; getting it together.

1-AUNT PERCILLA-Been meeting better lately; has local success

4-LOULITA-In the hunt every time

8-LOUZOTIC-Past class has been good for a long time

6-ABITOFBETTORS BUNS -Ready to fly by late

1-SCRAPPY COMING UP-Been razor sharp at recent fairs

4-MAZIN BLAZIN-Won debut impressively; Team Leonard

3-APPLE VALLEY-Drops from Opens; can outclass her rivals

8-MY UPTOWNE GIRL-Provided many Hawthorne surprises

4-ROLLNROZ-Might tease on the front end

6-TALK ABOUT VALOR-Been a winning machine

3-ANNAS LUCKY STAR-Valiantly tries to catch top choice

4-LOUSDOBB-Sleeper could be right there

5-HE’ZZZ A WISE SKY-Dares the rest to catch him

3-FOX VALLEY GEMINI-Tries, maybe in vain, to tackle top choice late

4-WESTERN ERA-Good form before last couple

10-CHECKME-Can overcome 10 hole against easier company

2-FOX VALLEY NEWPORT-Maybe destined for second place

8-BEACH COWBOY-Wired “mixed” race in debut

1-FARMERS ONLY-Awakens with post relief

6-ROCKIN PULSE-Meets easiest in a while

5-PONDA HAWK-Outclassed in last; fits here

8-SILVERSTONE-Should be tough with class drop

2-ROCKIN VIC-Displays surprising early zip

5-ERNIE THE MOOSS-Late move for show dough?

4-DUNE DAME-Back on home track; wakes up

5-ADMIT-3^rd in last two versus similar

7-TONCREDIBLYFASTFORU-Motors late; can get there

9-MAJOR HARLEY-Might finish fastest of all

5-VINNY LOU-Commanding lead early; might last

8-MARSHALL MALONE-Maybe tough if he stays flat

2-BOMBAY PARKWAY-Barely beaten last couple

6-MAGGIE AT BAT-Poised for 9^th inning home run?

3-RED CLOVER-Poor form but been meeting tougher