Handicapper Tips & Picks

RACE 7 - TCA (G2): #4 STATIC FIRE is legit early sprint speed and that could present a subtle pace advantage for her in this race. She has been able to make the lead through a fast pace, whereas some of her other rivals when on the lead are doing so under slow/moderate race shapes. That includes morning line favorite, #6 YUUGIRI one that has had some gate issues breaking a little slow as of late and found success with the stalking trip last out in the Open Mind Stakes. She was value in that spot and in the pace of #1 WICKED HALO, a weaker favorite given the timing and race shape. With that said, WICKED HALO projects to return to a top effort today and also to show more early speed, a RunStyle where she is much more effective. 

RACE 9 - AMERICAN PHAROAH (G1): #2 MUTH comes in with some of the strong numbers and looking to pick up his first graded stakes win. He did take a step back in the Best Pal (G3) though to his credit stayed on as the BOS/Best of Speed unable to hold off his stablemate Prince of Monaco, the next out winner of the DMR Futurity (G1). Following the Best Pal (G3) the connections entered, though scratched from the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga and have been pointing to this race. MUTH has kept up his training and visually coming into this race the right way with some strong works in quality company topped off with a very impressive move on 9/25 to prepare for this race.

There are some quality maidens in this race and runners that fit with the others in this field. #3 NEXT LEVEL has been progressive number wise race-to-race though was not on the level of the DMR Futurity company last month to present as a contender here. #6 BE YOU also has graded stakes experience coming back the Hopeful (G1), a rough run race. #7 INDISPENSABLE showed run after a compromised start and worked strongly right after the debut - this could be an ambitious jump in the second start, though all around can project he has more to show.