Handicapper Tips & Picks

#6 VIVALDI turned in a BTL effort on debut making a CLOSE X_BIAS and showed similar last month at KEE pairing BTL with a less than ideal ride/TACTIC- unable to overcome the draw with the X_WIDE journey. There was intent for #8 MELEE to debut on the grass back in September at KY though a vet scr on the day. He did not appear to NO_HANDLE the KEE main track last month. #3 BOURBON'S FAULT is worth a mention as a progressive type and one that could be entered hoping the races move to the main track. Some intent always seemed in play for this colt, going back to his debut when he opened as the favorite with a lot of early money off the 8-1 ML. 

#15 VESTURE is upgraded should they draw in and worth a follow if they do not. 

#3 LEGALIZE will move off the rail and and seemed some intent of debut favored off the 6-1 ML and could be flattered as the place finisher, Mystik Dan returned to break his maiden (CD MSW 11/12) earning a 94 OptixFIG, a 9 point improvement from the debut number. #6 LINEBACKER also returns from that 10/22 common race and gave a solid effort, visually one that should continue to handle more ground when given. 

First time starter #5 MILITARY CRUISER appears race ready watching him work in the morning and as an individual has enough speed and stamina for today's 7f distance. As far as #8 GOLD SEARCH he has been on the training track and have not seen him personally (something to look for on the track), but respect the steady work tab that could have him ready first out. 

#11 DEPICTION has been freshened and will work through the conditions in this allowance event following a TRAFFIC trip in the Bourbon (G2), a race that has not been productive with the limited sample that has run back, though those horses held form. #10 GORILLA TREK follows a similar path and could present upside as well. He was "rushed" back for the Bourbon (G2) on a two week turnaround off his debut maiden win and had trip adversity from start-to-finish.

#2 FOOTPRINT physically appears versatile and should handle any surface. Number wise he is moving forward with each start and similar for #5 LAGYNOS as they show up here from the 11/9 common race. 

#8 LEGAL TITAN is worth a mention as one with some positives and negatives. He benefit from saving ground in the allowance here on 9/30 then had legit trip creating an excuse on 10/26. 

Geroux abandons #10 LOOKSTER one that had an excuse on debut (bet down to 2.47-1 on debut from 10-1ML) and her class allowed for the right trip coming back on 10/29 to break her maiden over this course. She improved nicely in that second start and has the edge on local experience and in good hands with J. Ortiz. #1 TARIFA seems well intended here and where Geroux lands. She earned a solid figure on debut with the open length win though did have a favorable POCKET trip. 

Tarifa is worth a follow in R4 with #7 STREETWHEREYOULIVE coming back from that 10/25 common race and visually looks to have more to show and should benefit (PREP) from the experience and less than ideal trip/TACTIC- after breaking SLOG from the rail. #9 FLIGHT TO PARIS earned a follow (GREEN, PREP) in her debut back on 9/21 and can step forward off that initial start. #4 JUST A COED also moves off the rail for this second start where she broke SLOG (typical for Talamo) three weeks ago. She showed some natural early speed all things considered on a Fast early pace. One of the other pacesetters, Quimichis (finished 12th) wheeled right back one week later breaking her maiden at HS Indy. 

#9 DAZZLIN' DICTATOR turned in a BTL debut despite the running line and finishing position during a time the Wilkes barn was cold. She transferred her form to the turf last month at KEE showing a run/MOVE in a less than ideal (TACTIC-) trip. #1 PENDULUM projected to IMPROVE off a good debut and took the slight step forward last month at KEE in that second start. 

#7 BARKSDALE was upgraded on debut setting a solid pace and breaking his maiden first out around two turns. The race despite being a strong effort appeared taxing/HARD and was a knock when they considered wheeling back for the Street Sense (G3) on 10/29. There was a little more time between starts coming back for the 11/9 allowance; however he was compromised by a very rough start (TROUBLES+) moving up WIDE into a DUEL and Very Fast early pace - factors to give some excuse on the day and upgrade going forward. 

#11 TOP GUN ROCKET is going to get a lot of support here off the first two starts. Admittedly both were good and playable back off of, though today's distance is the main concern visually and could open the door for another to jump up and beat at the expected short number. Similar for #7 TRACK PHANTOM one that has been fine though flatted with the FLOW on debut and NO_FINISH on 10/29.

#1 STOP THE PRESS also showed run on debut after a TROUBLE_S, that played a role in the trip from the outside post and improvement can be projected for this second start. #3 MR. FAVERSHAM was unable to reach open length winner, Khanate in the 10/11 KEE debut, though respect the run. He was distanced after taking early KICKBACK and showed a solid late CLOSE. 

For a non-listed stakes race, this might be the most competitive event on the card as a case can be made for most of the field and coverage/value should be utilized in this spot. 

#1 YOUALMOSTHADME projects to be a shorter number once again and logical in that role. It would appear the connections feel she has some distance limitations and keeping her at the one turn, less than 8f distance. Trip will be key from Gaffalione and from the rail given her natural early speed and others in this field that have legit front running sprint speed. That fast early pace scenario should play to the strengths of #2 FIBBER. She could find a similar dynamic to her allowance win over this course and distance back in September. She carries further upside from the Myrtlewood Stakes noting the TROUBLES+ (taking legit contact in a chain reaction of five at the start) and YOUALMOSTHADME avoided that incident impacting many on the day. 

P 10 Hurrikane Cheyenne 2 Sauble Ace 7 Boozer

T 8 Stonebridge Bomber 7 Nothingbutadreamer 5 Ricardo

P 8 Jabberwocky 7 Funatthebeach 5 Codename Cigar Box

P 10 Lyons King 1 Mighty Mach 2 Fabrizio

P 10 The Greek Freak 9 Backstreet Gambler 8 Hollys Treasure

P 2 Thatll Be Tiger 9 Speaker Of Peace 6 Lets Go Jude

P 9 Leave It To Luther 5 Arizona Jackson 3 Cheddar Duharas

P 7 Ikes Dream 5 Mamba 1 Dupree Hanover

P 2 Points North 1 Emmetts Buddy 8 Cold Creek Queso

P 1 Hungry To Succeed 2 Gritty 8 Gator Hanover

P 4 I Ama Rocket 5 Shadow In Red 7 Legion Seelster

#5 CENTRAL AVENUE was given a follow from the Frizette (G1) effort and flattered when Just F Y I won the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1) earlier this month. As far as the distance she projected to improve with the STRETCH out despite picking up the debut win around one-turn. The connections might have wanted more time after the Frizette (G1) skipping the BC and pointing to this race. 

#1 AWESOME ROAD was pointed to the Breeders' Futurity (G1) after his dominant debut win in August at Ellis Park. While the intent was there, the trip was not; he was compromised from start-to-finish, losing his footing out of the gate and and was unable to establish position after. He can IMPROVE off that effort and also likely to show more natural early speed. #7 RISK IT will also look to get back on track today. The Asmussen barn was COLD at the time of the Iroquois (G3) and has been freshened since for this spot and two-turn debut. 

Historically, the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) has been a productive race on the Derby trail and worth keeping in mind going forward and into the 2024 season.