Handicapper Tips & Picks

#4 SEE YA WRITE N comes back with an upgrade and BTL effort from 10/13. #6 ARTSPIRE also against the profile projects to improve as well.

The edge siding with #1 FOX VALLEY B GUMP over #2 PONDA HAWK noting the two finished in a DH on 9/30.  #7 GUSSY’S TRUMP CARD skipped last week and fresh for this race can improve from the subtle trip on 10/8.

#6 FOX VALLEY SADIE projects to improve coming off an excuse on 10/14 and showing a couple of middle moves in running and BTL all things considered. #4 DANDY’S MS SWIFTY turned in a sneaky good effort last Sunday in her first start for Leonard. She was taken out of her front running position and still showed interest making up ground against the flow and pacesetting winner, Trident Born. #5 FOX VALLEY REEVA has shown improvement this season, a top effort has her right have in the mix. 

#7 KEEN CATHY will find some class relief in this spot though also shares some common running lines with today’s rivals. She wheels back for this second start after he barn change and off a BTL effort in the stakes race last Saturday. Arguably #6 LUCKY DOTTIE has not been in position to show her best and her best stacks up and with some of the stronger form in this field. T. Seekman had been paired with #2 ROAN BY DESIGN when she had success earlier this season and shifts to LUCKY DOTTIE today. 

Tough to ignore the projected 20/1 odds from the morning line on #7 ADALECIA. She showed more than the October 15^th line suggests and her form prior stacks up with some of the stronger efforts in the field and she was not far off rival, #5 PLATINUM SHARK. She fits and projects to present a forward move in the current “every other” race pattern. #4 STEVIE MAE is a logical type based on the form this season and returning to a level/field where she can compete.

#2 KARATOP MOOSS projects to improve with the class change, progressive form improving this season and first time C. Stewart. #1 UNHYNGED ZENZERO can return to a top effort today with some changes for this race. She regressed after the 9/30 race when stepped up in class on 10/7. She also was class compromised last Sunday though also given an excuse on the day unable to work a trip to overcome the outside draw. 

#1 THAT’S CACHE was giving up recency on October 13^th and with that start under her belt should step up to compete here. #7 ROCKIN FAYE coming out of that same common race last Friday projects to improve chasing inside against the profile. Longshot #3 ERIS also chased inside against the bias that say and while her form might not look like much on paper, she has shown interest at times and on her best day is tight in the mix.

The driver change suggests intent for #4 ONE R ANDIS STAR returning from a less than ideal drive on 10/15 and C. Leonard was paired with this filly for the Springfield win back in July. Value is the main knock and similar for #5 LION VIRGIN, a logical individual, though one that is not a win machine. 

#7 WHO SAYS holds some of the strongest form in this field, however those races were recorded last season. There could be some intent today as her driver at the time, T. Seekman finds himself back in the bike today. As far as current form, the edge sides with #3 ICE DANCE coming off a win against a higher class two weeks ago and has held form all season.

#6 RAGS TO RICHES is a double upgrade from 10/13 against the track profile while setting a fast pace, those factors playing a role in the fourth place outcome. She is preferred and should offer the higher number over #2 AMAZON PRINCESS with the place finish in the common race. Prefer others on the win end to #1 MILLINDASFEAR though can get into the mix today and step up in her third start this season. 

#8 MOPPIES MOOSS might be the most talented in this race and just requires the trip to put it all together. He was given a follow on 10/8 with a subtle BTL effort. There appeared some confidence and a lot of wagering support on Night of Champions, when he was unable to establish position, trip and breaking eliminating his chances on the day. Trip will come back into play though with the potential to be the “best” in the field and price compensation, he has top billing once again. 

#3 TIME TO RYDE has improved with each start this season. The 9/30 effort was the tell she has something making a sneaky close and overall BTL effort that saw her come back against older on 10/6 and turn in a “winning” race, while settling for place. #2 STAR OF NOB HILL also from the 10/6 common race, returns with the edge over the group returning from the 10/13 common race putting forward the place finish while doing so against the flow. As far as that 10/6, the betting favorite from that event #8 ROCKIN ARLENE returns today and off the qualifier last Saturday, though overall does not hold an edge should she be favored here.

#4 STRESSFUL has struggled to stay flat in her most recent start. Perhaps some of that has to do with the trainer change this meet and will get another look here. She will pick up the driver change to J. Lackey for this event and if she can stay on stride she fits as a contender. #3 FOX VALLEY ADIRA has spent this season overmatched and today’s softer condition should move her up naturally. #6 TUCKED AWAY should sit the right drop for her preferred style. Her form cycle is also positive, progressive this season. She, and #8 MR. ATHENS are upgraded as both were caught chasing inside against the profile last Friday. #10 BAMA LOU is downgraded out of that race in this spot with today’s draw and his preference to run forward early and others with a similar run style in this field are drawn inside. 

#3 POTITO should hold value in this race as his speed figures are lighter than some of today's rivals. With that said, he has recency foundation - trips from his first two starts on the main with TURF visuals that saw him step up on the surface switch and prevail after contesting a solid pace. 

The race shape upgrades #4 SIGN OF THE CROSS making his return to this circuit and for Saavedra, a barn that started to pop at LRC and has continued to perform this meet. 

Berrios fits #3 WHISTLER'S STYLE and she fits this claiming condition. She has the foundation in this second start of the cycle, a repeating form cycle pattern, to suggest she will return to a top effort today. 

Glatt has been sending out live and that could carry here with #6 GOOD JUJU, a runner that could have a pace advantage on the front end. #4 ZIMBA WARRIOR can be a main threat with trip often the primary hurdle. It is also encouraging for Ellis to freshen and step up #5 BIG BUZZ after a dominant effort last out. 

#2 ANTIBES is a bigger type and the added ground is in his favor coming back for this second start. #1 SMILING RULER will need better gate antics given the debut and rail here, though physically looks the part of a TURF runner to move up with change in surface. 

#4 BRIGHT LEAF looks well intended as he makes his second start back off the layoff and returning to a route distance. The class change is also in play returning to run for the claiming tag, a move that is not concerning as he has been in for a tag in the past and struggled with layoff lines as it appears the connections are willing to risk losing him in exchange for the win.

This race appears competitive with many to step up off their limited experience. #6 HIGH KING holds the benefit of recency wheeling back from a BTL debut three weeks ago. He was a little more forward in that race than #3 FLEET BROTOTO, though he should be at the right distance for his longer bodied frame around two turns.

#7 LONG JACKED debuted against open company and that could have been due to timing closing week at DMR just getting this one a race. #5 LIGHT DRAGOON also debuted against open though more of a lateral change with the circuit switch. He showed interest first out and another that should handle added ground. 

Overall #3 DUA isn't very exciting though does appear to have a slight edge in this compact field, but not an exciting bet. The board and on track visuals could be the key to play looking for an alternative. 

2-PONDA HAWK-Maybe slight edge

1-FOX VALLEY B GUMP-Dead heated with Ponda two races back

4-SEE YA WRITE N-can improve in 2^nd local trip

6-FOX VALLEY SADIE-Looks like a standout

5-FOX VALLEY REEVA-Probably best of the rest

2-AMY MOOSS-Competitive before recent stakes

1-SOME DANCING STAR-Should be an easier spot

2-ROAN BY DESIGN-Had a win this level three races ago

 4-JOANIE B-Raced well every local start

4-STEVIE MAE-Escapes the clutches of Chickabell

5-PLATINUM SHARK-Outgunned and poor post in last

2-KARATOP MOOSS- Can challenge early lead

4-ONE R ANDIS STAR-Maybe in control start to finish

5-LION VIRGIN-In money vs similar last three

1-THAT’S CACHE-Maybe 3^rd local trip does it

3-ICE DANCE-Likely makes it two in a row

2-AMAZON PRINCESS-Good form but hasn’t won in years

6-RAGS TO RICHES-Competitive last couple this level

1-ILLINI DIVA-Disappointing break in FFV finale-looks much the best

5-SHADY MAPLE ALSTAR-Dropper gets 2^nd Lasix

6-DEENBO-Easier company; better post

1-XENA’S FOXIE-Much better from inside post

3-TIME TO RYDE-Dangerous speed from inside post

2-STAR OF MOB HILL-moved too soon last couple

10-BABA LOU-Finally in the right spot

2-SHE PIRATE-Maybe right to the lead

8-MR ATHENS-Easier company has to help

Full disclosure, I've never been a #1 VERIFYING fan. He is a fine horse though one that just tends to run the same race and can falter even when sitting perfect trips. The connections cut him back in distance last out and while finishing second in the Jerkens (G1) he did not improve number wise - again just the same race. That distance change suggested some "experimentation" at the time, and even here there is not much confidence in this spot ducking graded stakes company. As an individual he fits on par and could just catch the right field, time, place and trip. Though in terms of a play, he projects to land a short price, willing to take him on at the, in my opinion likely underlay number; and will lose no sleep if it does canter to the wire first. 

#3 POST TIME has been extremely good in each and every race. This is without question a class test as he will step up to stakes company and take his game outside Maryland, though he is worthy of the test and play at the projected morning line. 

#2 CONFIDENCE GAME has been off since the KY Derby (G1) and even going into that race had not raced in two months. This spot looks as good a spot as any to get a start coming back late in the year. Clearly this is not the end goal, though he is a talented horse and should give an honest account of himself here. 

Class and foundation sides with #4 RAISE CAIN over #6 LOYAL COMPANY, though as far as the distance of this race and even timing LOYAL COMPANY has that going for him proven around one-turn and off a BTL stakes effort last month at CD. RAISE CAIN holds a graded stakes win around one-turn however he has run faster around two-turns. A "hot" trend is on his side as trainer Ben Colebrook sent out some live runners on the Wednesday card with two wins and a place in as many starters. 

Agree with the morning line as #5 DR. VENKMAN should land in the "second choice" role by the public, but that does not always translate to fair odds. He has recorded some of the higher speed figures, a factor that lands public support. While those numbers are what they are, they were earned through favorable trips and this is a class test for him shipping in for this race and first stakes try.