Handicapper Tips & Picks

Casey Leonard is a solid fit with #3 SKYWAY GYMMASTER especially as this one returns with the driver change, to this circuit and class relief. In terms of current form, he was very overmatched on August 11^th stepping up off the August 4^th win and in his most recent August 18^th start, showed run and stopped with trouble when he started to advance and showed interest when getting clear too late.

#4 PONDA HAWK returns from a solid effort with a less than ideal ride making an early move – there are others in this race that should be prominent early to allow him to stalk and time the move. He should come back fit into this race and also finds some class relief from that 9/9 race and to a level where he fits on par.

The 14-yo #9 LUCKY CRUSADER comes back for his first race on the year though going back to last season recorded some of the faster times and figures. 

#5 FOX VALLEY PARKER turned in a strong effort against a higher class running for $28.5k purse (preferred over #6 SHATTERED DREAMS from the other division) last Sunday. He raced from well off the pace and set down for a strong close and competitive effort behind, Lous Mandalorian that fell into the winning trip. 

#1 LOU SANGREAL was heavily washed out on 9/10 and overall was quite game for the level (faces softer today) and showed early controlling speed. Casey Leonard sticks with stablemate #2 ZENA COURT ran in the split division last Sunday and a competitive race for the level with a wide trip. She projects to hold her form though has shown a pattern of breaking stride.

Casey Leonard was also the driver on #5 FOX VALLEY CORSO on 9/10 (R9) and given a follow off that trip where she saved ground and lacked room though no match for the open length front running, 1-9 winner, Goomster. 

#4 MAXIMUS might have been 8-1 on 9/6 though was the second choice and 3-1 going into the gate with the late odds drop to 1-9 on Topville Alexander the eventual front running winner. Lily Grace chased that winner throughout and from just off the pace and wide MAXIMUS made up ground as really the only horse to do closing on the top two.

#5 FARMERS ONLY looked to lack some grit late and just one paced last Saturday night. The recency and slight class drop could be on his side, though noted as a shorter number is expected. Improvement could be projected on #6 ROCK JAGGER as the tactics from Knox played against this horse with timing and extreme ground loss finishing well off the back.  

#3 DASH AROUND was sent to the lead and controlled gate-to-wire with just enough to hold late as place rival Ernie The Mooss closed late with those two together at the wire. This will be a step up in class and has struggled for the top spot under similar conditions.  

#3 ENRICO PALLAZZO will look to rebound after breaking stride on the first turn last Sunday. He will return in this race where he fits finding class relief from the recent two starts. Franco takes back over today and familiar with this horse turning in some solid races and against some tougher foes and does not appear to have a Guitar Man or You Never Can Tell to take on today. #4 LOVE IS BLUE had a favorable pocket trip and doing his best to hold place – a blanket for the minors.

ENRICO PALLAZZO also comes out of a common race with #6 FOX VALLEY DURHAM back on August 29^th at DuQ with ENRICO turning in the better outcome and closing the gap on a solid pacer, Gorgeous Big Guy – a dominant winner coming back from that race here on 9/10 in the IL State Fair Colt Stakes.

#5 MAZIN BLAZIN is an improving type and not quite to his main rivals on 9/9 should find himself competitive in today’s field. #7 HEZARENGADE also from that common race was quite green and must be more professional. 

Not surprised to see Wyatt Avenatti (looked to have some options) stick with #3 MARIAH LOU after the sneaky good effort making a strong close and continued to move out well past the wire. #5 WHATTA YEAR also deserving of a follow from her late move against winning heavy favorite, Goomster. He was quite warm/washy on the track last week and worth noting. 

#2 DANDY’S SHIP earned a follow from the 9/9 race where the draw did him no favors paired with Rath parked wide unable to overcome ground loss and despite the trip showed enough run in spots to suggest he can move up here.

#8 HOLY LUCIFER appear to be moving forward and will find a change based on some of the tougher rivals including some stakes winners in his running lines going back to early June.

#6 FOX VALLEY LANSING might also move up with a driver change and less than ideal tactics still making a move and showing run in a less than ideal trip.

#5 ASHLEECOLDMUFFLER was taken back to save ground right from the start and with minimal ask throughout to suggest he can move forward and will find some class relief for today’s betting race. #1 WHO’ZZZ THIS SKY has been heavily overmatched, and today’s placement should help assess where he fits and should move up naturally with today’s field. 

#4 CHANGE THE TUNE turned in a BTL effort and a good competitive race though no one was going to contend with the much the best, Whiskey Lou.

#8 TRU CASH was caught widest of the field early as he made his way to the lead and played a role in the outcome. There are others in this field, such as #7 LOUS GAMBLER to his inside that also have shown early tactical speed. #3 LOUS ENCHANTRESS needed and finds the class drop today where she projects to move up all around though is another trotter that brings naturally early speed. 

#3 SOMESTARSANDI will look to redeem herself today after coming up short as the favorite last Sunday, 9/10. She appears as a filly that wants the lead and when asked to rate (without cover) was not as effective and also compromised from a dynamic standpoint. Common rival #6 KARATOP MOOSS has a more favorable pocket trip assisting in the show finish. KARATOP MOOSS also shares a common run line with pacesetter, #8 DANDY’S MS SWIFTY.

#5 AMY MOOSS made a wide move on 9/9 showing interest though was not quite to the stakes level that day and finds herself in the right group here. She shares some common running lines with #1 STEVIE MAE coming off a fourth place finish on 9/10 slightly flattered with the race shape slowing late and the top five all together. 

#10 FIRST OF HER NAME will require better handling this week especially with the outside post. She showed run and projects to improve off that effort and the connections land here with some class relief as well – she is also returning from the common race with some of the rivals in tonight’s Race 9 and worth following.

There is a group returning from the opening day opening race to assess: #6 MY EYES ADORED YOU has trouble in running and showed run in spots and out past the wire. #3 JIMMYLAI was not quite to the level of her main rivals on 9/9 and with the slight change today moves up in this spot. #7 REVENGE ROSIE also earned a follow off a sneaky trip with less than ideal timing when making her move and has more to show than the last week running line and finishing position suggests. #9 MATTIE SHARK opened with early money in the 9/9 common race and one that backed up that interest with a decent effort all things considered.