Handicapper Tips & Picks

#2 LUCK ON THE BEACH returns from a BTL effort against a slightly higher level last week, the type of effort to have them competitive here. #5 MR. NUTTIN NICE benefit from the race flow moving up on 9/17 and pace could be similar to sit the trip here. #8 PADDY MURPHY also fits with the race shape as well as his current form shipping in. #9 MILLENNIAL did not offer value as the favorite last Sunday though should present a higher number in this race coming off that 4^th place result showing run with a wide move. 

#4 VELOCITY MCSWEETS caught a race shape with minimal change in running order and showed interest and progress late. She brings in form that is tougher to see on paper though a class change that is. #2 AMANDA BOMBAE required the race starting on 9/9 and came back last weekend showing run in a compromised trip and given an excuse as a result. Part of the issues were due to driver tactics and returns here with a change. #7 MARTHA MAX unloaded a strong close in the 9/17 common race with #5 SILVERSHOW CHIXY also finds class relief and some interest to take a step forward in the second start of the meet. 

#7 STRESSFUL finds class relief shipping in for this race and moves up with her current form in this field. She also could improve in this current cycle with an every-other pattern, efforts that stack up strongly here.

#1 EL CHAMPEE’ON was given his class test on 9/24 taking on a full competitive field, a change from his two prior starts. He responded to the ask, showing run and tactical speed and overall competitive race and good fitness as he continued to run on after the wire. His effort was more effective in the outcome than #3 FOX VALLEY NAUTICA one that finished well off the board as a 98-1 longshot though visually showed some run and interest in that trip to suggest he is moving forward in this form cycle. 

#5 CLEARCHOICE DE VIE is a flow upgrade as he was part of a fast early pace on 9/17 with the race slowing late and losing ground in the process. He fits in this field and a contender with a top effort. #9 FOX VALLEY CARLIN turned in a wide closing run and “winning” type effort/B for the level back on 9/17. He was not as effective on the class rise last weekend though should be able to cycle back to a top effort in here and at the level where he fits. Ground loss seemed to play a role in #8 TREY ROCKETTE coming up short as the favorite on 9/12 at Aces. He was parked wide throughout and forced to make an early wide move with the race starting to slow late and the top two in a photo for the win.

#7 MAXIMUS catches a slightly tougher field than back on 9/16 when he came up short as the favorite. Overall he brings upside when given an excuse as the favorite that day and overall BTL effort in the 4^th place result.

Rivals from the 9/26 HoP race will return here with #2 FOX VALLEY CRETE flattening out late behind the pacesetting winner and had just enough to hold for place with #1 JULERICA one paced finishing with the bulk of the field right behind CRETE in a blanket for deeper minors. 

#5 FEELING IT fits on this circuit and level with form from some rivals on this circuit including #9 DRINKING AND DREAM a perfect trip winner under similar conditions on opening day.

Longshots: #7 HERMIA’S STAR showed a lot of more run than the line suggests given the handling and overall visuals that suggested “prep” on 9/17.  #8 PARADISE TOMORROW must step up against those two that have an edge in this spot though finds some class relief, the right change from the 9/23 race against a tougher class of horse. 

This is a competitive race and condition won last weekend by #5 PLAY ME ROCK one that fits right back in this spot and against some common rivals. One of those rivals #7 HE’ZZZ A WISE SKY also returns here and was favored in the event. He should benefit from that start and while he was favored he was driven very aggressively early on, and the fast pace did him no favors playing a role as he was slowing late and should be much fitter today.

#3 TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER also looked to be using the 9/23 Qualifier for fitness as they went to the lead and for a runner that can race forward though tends to be more effective with a stalk-and-pounce run, the trip they look to get back to today especially with HE’ZZZ A WISE SKY in the field and confirmed front runner. 

#6 INCREDIBLE LOREAN earned a follow off a sneaky effort here on 9/9/ She was taken off the pace early and showed run in a BTL effort making a move through traffic and overall was unable to show her best on the day. A driver change is made as Wilfong takes over and slight class change as well to suggest some intent.

#7 FOX VALLEY BUSTIER is another that has shown some buried form this season. Going back to 9/15 she made a wide move and again parked wide against a tougher group on 9/23. The 9/15 event was a common race with her stablemate #8 ROCKNROLL DAKOTA and overall there was not much between then on that day with the expected price discrepancy.

#4 CUPID’S REVENGE showed run against a higher class on 9/10 and similar last weekend with both of those efforts on par for today’s event. #1 SOMESTARSANDI has progressed with each start this season and returns to a level where she has been competitive in the past. She was under similar conditions back on 9/16 with a wide move in a race where the top two finished together and clear. #3 FOX VALLEY REEVA also looks to improve back under similar conditions from 9/17 showing run against the race dynamic playing a role in the 4^th place finish. 

#4 ILLINI JETSET was not on the level for the competition on 9/22 though showed interest with a wide move – the type of effort that should translate competitively here. #3 LUCKONURSIDE was given a follow from the 9/17 BTL effort and came back with another game effort last Sunday (a little scared) between horses for place and continued to go out past the wire. #6 BROOKLETS BANNER could still be a start away as he makes his first start of the season and coming off the qualifier two weeks ago. His back class makes him a player and early speed should make his presence known early and things tough on some others with a similar run style in this field. 

#3 UNHYNGED SPEED has been able to gain fitness this season and conditioning in races where he was overmatched against the competition. He should be able to build off those starts and at a level here he can compete and should offer value as well.

#8 CAVIART RICHMOND was as competitive as any of the horses in this field and at this level here this season. He could get dismissed with the driver change and off the running lines. #7 M I ROCKIN, a dominant 9/15 winner though number wise has yet to run as “fast” as some of today’s rivals. There is some projection as he can step forward as a lightly raced sophomore that does appear to hold upside. Casey Leonard remains with #1 FARMERS ONLY has been fine this season though without any real excuse coming up shorter on the win end and is one that tends to find public attention. 

A lot of newer faces making their local debut for the season. #9 BIG CHRISTIAN is the highest earner this season and one that looks well intended for this spot and looking to get back on track and back to a top effort. 

#7 GOOMSTER is tough to knock as the favorite, a consistent type that has been holding his form and competitive races this season; and no disgrace chasing a strong, much the best Niko Man last week.

#4 AUNT PERCILLA came in with a form edge on 9/9 and a credible race (B) making a wide move returning on 9/17. Going back to that 9.9 race, #10 BLUE DEVIL was given an excuse and one he rebounded from to turn the tables with a dominant win on 9/17 making him a player back at this level once again.

Timing was off for #3 SWAN OF DREAMS last week and one that looks to rebound here and based on the morning line projects to be higher than the 3-1 odds on 9/24  and in the face of some common rivals from that event showing back up here. 

#2 CALIBER appears the horse to beat. He comes back with a driver change off a less than ideal trip last Sunday and still has been able to maintain his form and figures – both strong in contrast to today’s group.

#6 FOX VALLEY OZZY lacked room late and finished with a strong close on 9/17 and validated that effort on 9/24, a common race and competitive given the wide trip.

Current form is also tough to knock on #1 FOX VALLEY PATRIOT though does find a subtle change as he takes on older here and for the most part has been in against three-year-old company.

#2 RUSH TO JUDGEMENT had a class edge and showed it on the track with the 9/17 win. They took last week off and in this spot with some confidence given the rise in class. 

#3 THE MAGICAL WOMAN is upgraded from her races this meet and in this spot. She had a look returning from a solid 9/10 effort on 9/23 and caught a solid group and compromised by the pace against the dynamic early. #5 RONA MAE can also be upgraded from a different 9/24 race though a similar hurdle against the race flow and still game for place. She has a common running line with THE MAGICAL WOMAN going back to 7/20 at Spr.

#6 IDEAL’S NICOLE benefit from everything in her favor on 9/17 and noted as she returns with others from that event here. 

Tough spot as the two-year-olds take to the track. A mix of horses coming from other racetracks, fairs, etc. 1-READ BTWN THE LIES has the race over this Hawthorne strip and it was an easy win last out. With the inside draw here there is no reason to think she won't be able to repeat that performance. 5-2 is highly unlikely as she looks to go off much closer to even money. 9 DRINKING AND DREAM also has a win over the track but will have to overcome the outside draw in here. With a lot of unknowns amongst these juvenile pacers, the best route for her may be to look to leave for a early position and look to avoid traffic. 3-ROCKIN LEGAL can't be dismissed while at a possible big price. She likely needed her last as she was coming off a short rest but raced well during the summer and looks to have some potential.

3-NOT ME GRAM-Tough despite missed start

2-LUCK ON THE BEACH-Better chance in easier company

9-MILLENNIAL-Beaten lukewarm fav had tough trip

4-VELOCITY MCSWEETS-Meets easiest in quite a while

7-MARTHA MAX-Overdue dropper

5-SILVERSHOE CHIXY-Expected better in last; drops

1-EL CHAMPEE’ONN-Seems better than the rest so far

7-STRESSFUL-In money half her Minnesota races

5-MR ATHENS-Just because

5-CLEARCHOICE DE VIE-Possibly leads throughout with drop

9-FOX VALLEY CARLIN-Narrowly lost 2 races back at this level

2-FOX VALLEY CRETE-Just missed as favorite at Hoosier

1-READ BTWN THE LIES-Dominant winner in Hawthorne debut

5-FEELIN IT-Faced better at Hoosier

9-DRINKING AND DREAM-Won here early September

5-PLAY ME ROCK-Got up late versus these in last

7-HE’ZZZ A WISE SKY-Ran out of gas in last; can make amends

4-MAC’S MARVEL-Great form all year versus similar

1-SOMESTARSANDI-Competitive last 2 months; meets older

5-DELIGHTFUL DONNA-likely tries for the lead

4-CUPID’S REVENGE-Meets somewhat easier

4-ILLINI JETSET-First Lasix might do the trick

6-BROOKLET’S BANNER-Off since Dec but qualifier says ready

8-MARSHALL MALONE-Steps up after winning last two

2-AMERICAN CRUISER-Drops to make local debut

7-M I ROCKIN-Might finish fastest of all

3-UNHYNGED SPEED-Finds softer company in this spot

10-TALK ABOUT VALOR-Winning machine but toughest task yet

3-PERLUCKY-looks like a front-end threat

9-BIG CHRISTIAN-Good form vs. good trotters in Indiana

7-GOOMSTER-Won 8 of 11 this year; 2^nd in the rest

4-AUNT PERCILLA-2^nd at level despite early break

6-LA LOLITA-2^ND Lasix; front end threat

1-FOX VALLEY PATRIOT-Can extend his streak to three

3-CALIBER-Maybe drops into a winning spot

6-FOX VALLEY OZZY-Usually in the hunt

2-SKEETER MACHINE-Says try to catch me

3-THE MAGICAL WOMAN-In money 8 of 9; won 4

8-DANDY’S MNM-Last was too tough; price shot