Handicapper Tips & Picks

#6 COUNTRY GUY comes into this race with the strongest recorded figure and place finish from 8/29 at LaD against open MCL company that should find the bulk of wagering support. Watching that race he was no match for the open length BOS winner he dueled with and might have been carried in the result with minimal change in running order. One of the other things of note was the wagering support for #5 JACK THE WHISTLE; not only was he shorter of the two on the board that day but his wagering support to 3.8-1 was off a 15-1 ML. 

#3 GOLD PLUS has the benefit of local experience and that effort back in March against slightly higher MCL company has her on par for this condition. The layoff is in play though she did fire a similar OFig off the bench in May. Those 72-73 figures are right in line with the more established and likely favored, #5 MRS. SPEAKER and #6 STORM HAVEN.

#1 IZEONDEC ran his career best race first out at FG last season breaking his maiden and similar training intent could be in play. Running back to that December (or Jan) figure makes him a standout. Stablemate #6 PATH TO SUCCESS has not run as "fast" however he is consistent and has local form as well noting the races he was in last year were a slightly higher claiming condition/purse. 

#5 ABSOLUTE COURAGE has run similar numbers, however there are some reservations here. This is another quick turnaround and first start against winners, though could be intent trying to get this one claimed after everyone passed the box last week. 

If #10 JOCELYN were trained by one of the "big names" she would get a lot more attention than she is likely to find today. She is finding significant changes in terms of class and picking up Lasix for this second start. She is also exiting a productive race with two next out winners including Thordedo Anna, one that will had a graded stakes test last weekend. 

Some experience is likely beneficial for the juvenile fillies around two turns and that plays to the strengths of #9 STARCHY (trending hot barn) and #2 CLEARLY COPPER, though runners that have been pretty mid and that leaves some reservations as they will be the default public selections. In 2022, trainer Elias Lopez sent out 22 starters with one winner and seven others to finish in the money. 

#3 CHAD'S FLASH wheels right back and right back in the right spot for their abilities. The 11/18 race looked to be a prep given the layoff, allowance class and rider and returning here finds all positives in each category.

Keith Desormeaux will send out a pair in this race with #2 DUSTIN THE DIAMOND being the more established and fresh for this race and live rider in J. Graham. Stablemate #7 YO DADDY can easily improve off the debut given a less than ideal ride/TACTIC- and his first start against a higher MSW group back in September at CD. 

Rivelli also sends out a pair and the horses from the barn this meet have been firing. One of those a winner with J. Loveberry aboard and he takes the call on #1 LOU THE BODY for his second start and slight drop. First time starter #11 ALVIN has some gaps in the published works that is tough to take on face value. 

Race 5 is worth a follow as #6 PERFORMANCE PLUS follows a similar pattern for this second start for E. Lopez. 

#6 HOOSIER wheels back from a sneaky trip on 11/18 making a MOVE through TRAFFIC X_FLOW following the SLOG and prerace WARM_UP.  The class drop and rider change make sense looking to improve and compete on short rest. 

This is a surprisingly strong race for the level where many in this field hold graded stakes form and OptixFIG above today's race par. That includes #8 BEATBOX as he makes his second start of the cycle and had the intent to run in the River City (G3) on 11/11 at CD however was unable to draw in off the AE. Surface versatility sits with #3 BRITAIN'S KITTEN one that has strong form than the recent running lines might suggest (X_FLOW on 9/23 and BTL on 10/20) and reunites with D. Parker, this team two-for-two. With many ways to land value should be available to remain flexible. 

#1 BANISHING wired the field over this course and distance breaking his maiden last December and had some TROUBLE_S out of the gate and the long layoff that followed the February allowance. He returns to FG and could be some intent as Hernandez is back aboard and the form cycle pattern (second-off and making the CD-to-FG angle) looking for success once again.  

#8 GALLANT STAR holds a "winning/B" effort under similar conditions back in March and should be in the right level to compete. He comes into this race third off the layoff with improving figures and class change from open to statebred company. He should find the right stalking trip with today's race shape and the pace expected to be honest with #1 OUR FREDDIE MAC and #9 BIBLEMAN in the field - two horses that are contenders in their individual right but have each other to contend with today.

#6 CRUSADER EXPRESS improved off a similar pattern last season, a second off a long layoff to record a B- OptixGRADE at the level. That effort was a little short on the win end, but could get in the mix here and overlooked off the recent running lines.