Handicapper Tips & Picks

#3 HERO'S MEDAL figures to be favored and should be in the right time and place to clear the maiden conditions. The slight change in class is obvious, though less so the form cycle as he looks to reset his form cycle (41-day) and back with Gaffalione around two turns. The post change and also 47-day reset should benefit #5 FEAR OF UNION. He was WARM here back in September and under a "Cold" rider finds a change and moves off the rail where they can easily cycle back to a top effort here. 

#5 REWIRE should be tough though also tough to take at a short number making his first start back off the 257 day break. #7 PLATINUM GHOST could be given another look returning from the 9/24 race when he made an early RUSH WIDE into a Very Fast early pace on 9/24. 

Trainers Sharp and Garcia/Southwest (#7 BEST OF GREELEY) could be back-to-back with #4 UNDER THE GUN returning from a 69-day break though back to the claiming level where he has been competitive in the past. #6 IMPROBABLE STORY projects to improve in this second start of the cycle and cutting back to a sprint. 

A reasonable spot for #7 INTERPOLLY ($30k purchase) to make her debut for Morey, a barn with a win and sending out some live runners to start the meet. #12 WHATTA WORLD appears to have intent first off the claim and blinkers on for Diodoro. She was claimed on 9/21 for $50k and the drop/claim along with the win ensures their claim investment. 

#5 GOING THE DISTANCE presented as a turf horse and getting the changes to run on the grass moved up number wise and despite the lack of finish, did stay on as the "best of the speed" last out at KEE. #9 THEROANRUNNER is tough to get excited about at a shorter number and shortening up. 

#10 VIOLET FLAME was intended for turf when she debuted on 9/27 at KEE and finds her way to that surface here. As far as the debut, she broke slow though showed a sneaky CLOSE after a late lead change. She will also return here with a massive rider upgrade. #1 LIPOCHROME had some adversity in her debut here at CD last month. She returns with some changes (rider, Lasix, blinkers) and also from a 10/1 race that has been productive. 

Foley started out the meet live and could continue here with first time starter #4 CLASSIC CLAIRE and F. Geroux. She has had some setbacks delaying this initial start and might have to come out race ready. 

#1 MO HOPE Lanerie has some near success aboard this gelding going back to the early races. The change in class is notable and should move up with that shift to maiden claiming company. He is preferred of the runners in here with experience and value should stick given the recent running lines. 

#4 IN COLOR has been looking for the DROP for quite some time and that change should move her up today. #8 PILLBOX makes her second start off the layoff and returning under similar conditions to the 9/30 race. In that event, she pushed the pace and stayed on with the top four (five horse field) together at the wire. 

Rather than run in the Valley View (G3) Walsh lands here with #1 BOLIVIE and seems intent where she fits this conditions and has the competitive race over this course from back in May. The winner of that May 12th race, #2 STRIKINGLY SPUN returns here fresh for J. Sharp, a barn that looks to have many live runners on the card. 

#7 WATCH THIS BIRDIE finds a subtle change in class as she was just one of two three-year-old fillies against older in the allowance last month at Keeneland. She has shown progression this season and with the return to the turf and should give another honest account here. 

#4 HUNTRESS FOR HIRE turned in a "winning" (B OptixGRADE) effort for the level returning here on 9/21. This will mark her second start off the layoff with the fitness on her side as she stretches out for this one-turn mile. 

#3 SECRET STATEMENT has a longshot look returning here. She has run some competitive races at the allowance conditions and has foundation in this third start off the layoff. #1 AMBER CASCADE cuts back to a one turn distance for this race and coming off a credible place under similar allowance conditions last out where a move forward is required to win. 

#2 I'M YOUR MAN was unlucky unable to draw into to two separate MSW events (both with Santana named) and forced to be patient they land in this spot. #9 WALDRIP should benefit from the start and added ground/STRETCH returning for this second start. #11 THIS TIME BLUE returns for a second start and subtle change in class. Going back to 9/22 he was given a very aggressive warmup and might have lost his race before it started. 

Morning line favorite #1 HONEST OPINION should remain short given the connections and place finish. That place finish was a distant one and as far as class, there is not much relief and arguably is a step up in class with the circuit switch.