Handicapper Tips & Picks

T 2 Looks Like Magic 1 Century Jaguar 4 Nothingbutadreamer

P 1 Bar Down Jim 7 Cheddar Duharas 2 Full Horse

P 1 Stop The Shootin 6 Mamba 7 Boston Bound

P 9 Funatthebeach 8 Saulsbrook Victor 7 Wind Blown

P 8 Hangover Hill 2 Brookdale Johnny 1 Strapper Hanover

T 2 Stonebridge Bomber 4 Ricardo 7 Templeton

P 9 Uriel Blue Chip 2 Control The Gold 3 Thatll Be Tiger

P 8 D A Jiminy Cricket 5 The Moment Arose 6 Fout

P 4 Livinthebeachlife 5 Camara Moment 7 Poseidon Seelster

P 3 Legion Seelster 7 Respect Our Flag 10 Thatll Be Sporty

P 6 Stormalong 3 Come On Artie 4 Acapulco Sunburn

On debut #3 BEDAZZLE 'EM broke SLOG and made a WIDE MOVE in an overall BTL effort earning a follow for this second start. Their race was the most encouraging to support from those with experience in the main body of the field. As far as the FTS, #12 HOPE MISSION had some setbacks in training earlier this year though shows up with a steady local worktab coming into this race and appears race ready for Walsh/Gaffalione. 

#1 HAPPYASACLAM turned in a BTL effort over this course and distance coming off the layoff in August. That race par comes up similar to today and with Herrera in the saddle. She should be fit returning in this third start off the layoff and given some fitness chasing wide up close to a fast pace last month at Santa Anita. 

#4 ROYAL SLIPPPER earned the highest figure in the field for her debut winning effort last month at Keenland. She was flattered as the race produced one next out winner and a few others that improved in their next start. Intent also appears in play as she was entered in the Bowman Mills stakes on 10/28 at KEE with a trainer scratch from that event and with this race (and J. Velazquez named) the next target. 

The 5f turf sprint distance is such a specialty and of the runners in this field that have form at that distance or similar they left something to be desired. While the distance is noted for horses, similar can be said for trainers and Peter Miller has a knack for this type of sprints and those factors can upgrade #5 ANNIVERSAIRE D'OR as they make their debut here with top rider J. Hernandez named. 

#2 SUPER ENTICING returns to maiden company (BTL against open last month) and back to a similar level where she recorded her strongest number and finish to date here on 9/9. That race was at the shorter sprint distance and still must prove herself on stamina for the route though is at the right level for her abilities and Prat aboard.

#1 FOR A LAUGH comes back from a tough trip from start to finish on 9/4 and recent layoff lines looking for the right spot to win. They will reunite with Fresu the rider from 8/13 and keyed off a solid effort given the outside draw and traffic trip to finish third with adversity. The same owner group has #6 KID AZTECA also looking for the right level and their current form and form with Hernandez fits for this claiming level. 

The owners with two theme continues as Reddam shows up with a pair looking to 'upset" the expected favorite, #8 JARAMA. Assessing that pair: #2 STAY ON THE FENCE was on a progressive pattern leading up to the Golden State Juvenile stakes two weeks ago and looks to rebound returning to maiden company; #7 STOLEN TREASURE also shows up with improving figures race to race and a little more time between starts fresh off the 42-day break. 

Mathis has forced to be patient with #8 DOUBLE JAB returning to the turf to take on winners when the 9/30 OC$20k race was taken off the turf at SA. #9 BARELY FUNCTIONAL ran in that 9/30 race despite the surface switch and turned in a solid effort behind an open length winner, though is much improved on the grass. #7 MEESH has the benefit of a race over this course, distance and class back on 8/5 and turned in a sneaky good effort making a WIDE CLOSE after a SLOG, a more competitive 5th place finish that it may appear on paper. 

#7 THE CHOSEN VRON was not disgraced in defeat in the BC Sprint (G1) given the level of competition and TRAFFIC trip playing a role in the 5th place result. Number wise he ran his race and seems no worse for the wear as the connections see fit to wheel back for this race. 

#3 NONE ABOVE THE LAW comes into this race in form and buried form over this course and distance. His effort in this race last year earned a 97 OptixFIG a number that stacks up on par and one he has been able to pair over this course and distance keying off the Real Good Deal Stakes as a sophomore.

#8 MOOSE MITCHELL wheels back on two weeks off the allowance win last out. While he has yet to show the same level of stakes class as some of his rivals here, his current form is stronger than when it was in prior stakes attempts as a three-year-old. #5 FAST DRAW MUNNINGS showed some class coming off the 461-day layoff with the allowance win here at Del Mar in August. Some regression was expected and to his credit held his own in the EB Johnson stakes both number and with the place finish. 

#6 BIG CITY LIGHTS has some challenges in this spot. He will give up recency off the 315-day break and in terms of trip has been effective when "lone" a trip he might not find in this race shape.

#7 PERFECTIONIST has buried form over this course and distance. Some intent could in in play for Sadler making the class and rider change in this third start off the layoff with improving form coming into this race. #6 SILARDI appears live in this spot for the connections. He has the "ship and win" bonus in play and has 5f turf sprint form including form over this course and distance going back to his sophomore season. 

Both #5 DOCTOR CRUISE and #6 MAZIN BLAZIN have been most consistent this season and traded places in their most recent starts. The value in this race sits with #3 ASHLEES SILVER GUY one that is in better form than the short comment suggests he had some subtle excuses and subtle BTL moments in his most recent starts. 

#1 JERI SUE looks to improve in this spot and off buried form in this current cycle. She was given a look on 11/11 following a BTL on 11/6, both efforts with a better trip have her competitive here. 

The driver change with #6 FOX VALLEY PRESLEY looks key as he returns from a less than ideal drive last week in the 11/12 common race. As far as morning line favorite #7 FREE ART, he fits; however is giving up some recency skipping last week as well as maturity taking on older. Those factors, based on the morning line, lack value compensation. 

#5 LEGAL LIAR is logical right back off a solid place finish at the level he dropped to compete at last week. #3 AMERICA'S FLEET could take a step forward as this is the second start of the cycle and holds natural early speed. Keying off the 11/11 common race, #4 COOL YOUR HEELS made a wide move from a tough outside draw and draws better this evening. 

Nothing went right in terms of trip for #3 JIMMY THE DUKE last week and not surprised as they return today with a driver change. #7 HOLDEN STEADY coming out of that 11/11 race had top billing as he projected to get overlooked off buried form to outrun his odds, which he did finishing in a photo for the win. #1 ROCK JAGGER is a slightly new face on the class change, a change that should move him up naturally here. 

There was not much between #5 FOX VALLEY CARLOS and #6 ALMOST GONE for the minors on 11/11. CARLOS has the edge in foundation, though GONE is an improving type and if there is the price discrepancy as suggested on the morning line the play becomes clear. 

Moving inside today could be the key change for #1 MOPPIES MOOSS one that has shown more than the race record suggests and overdue for some racing luck - and staying flat. With a top effort he is not far off the main rivals, #5 LOUS AMAZON and #6 CHANGE THE TUNE - the two consistent juvenile fillies. 

#4 CAVIART RICHMOND caught a much the best Machdavid last week and overall form makes him a strong fit and should have no excuse today looking for that first win on the year. #10 SILVERSTONE was right there with CAVIART RICHMOND on  11/4 though gives up some conditioning missing last week and also must overcome the outside draw. Some similar fitness concerns for #9 FOX VALLEY CRETE, one that fits on par, though will give up recency as he has not raced since 10/22. 

#5 INCREDIBLE BOMBAY was also game and number/class wise might be light on the win end, though should hold his form. #3 PARTY'S JET looked to be given and needed the race over the course on 11/11 and still could be a race out though improvement can be projected. 

A solid group of fillies and mares line up for this late season graded stakes race. The return of #9 HOT AND SULTRY in this spot along with the outside draw should play a big role in the early pace and overall race shape to remain contentious and honest. That scenario should benefit #7 FALCONET as she cuts back to this one turn mile. The race shape could be a factor for #5 SHE CAN'T SING as she looks to get back on track and top form in this event. There could be some positive intent with the consistent work tab paired with the placement in this race; a race she has run in the past including the win last year with Hernandez aboard. Block could have her ready fresh off the layoff and back on the main track; and while she is not required to sing, she does require that top effort. 

Class wise #3 HIDDEN CONNECTION has come up short at the graded stakes level though given the trending barn and timing projects to show up with a top effort here. Mott also has been sending out live and will be represented by #1 NOSTALGIC another that has at times come up short at the graded stakes level without excuse and did not have much in terms of excuse in the Beldame (G2) last month.