Handicapper Tips & Picks

Race 5:  3 - 5 - 6

Late Pick 4 Ticket:  3,5,6,7 / 1,2,4 / 3,4,6,7,9 / 2,6  ($60)

#3 Miss Mikos (9-5) might kick off this Pick 4 in style. The daughter of Enticed trained by Robertson ran VERY well chasing hot pace for open maiden $30k claimers last time at The Fairgrounds, receiving a very solid 70 Beyer for the level. There are others that are lightly-raced and could improve as well, but if “Mikos” runs back to her last effort, she could be very tough. I’ll spread to start the Late P4 for the simple fact that there are more questions than answers in this field, and horses can greatly improve in their 2nd career start.

Race 6:  1 - 2 - 4

A horse that’s 2-for-28 (with 10 2nd’s) and a closer going 5f are not exactly my cup of tea. That being said, #1 Simple Logic (7-2) is just that….a horse that is very consistent on the grass, has pace to run into, will save ground, and has numbers that fit vs. others. The gelding is clearly NOT a win machine, but I’m hoping Felix and Block have the right stuff to get the job done. He’ll need to find room in the stretch at the most crucial times.

Race 7:  4 - 6 - 7

#4 Alvin (7-2) did not get off to the best of starts last time and was bumped, compromising his chances from the get-go. His previous races out of town would most likely be good enough today…maybe he needed a race over the track and time to get acclimated to Chicago. Not much to beat if he runs his “A to B” effort. 

Race 8:  6 - 2 - 11

Final race of the day is a doozy…tough handicapping race and a great chance to make some money with a big field of maidens on the turf. I’ll land on a price for Trainer Roussel and #6 Interlude (8-1). He raced well as a 2yo with two seconds in three starts. Centeno rides and already has a win for Roussell at the meet. The colt is training forwardly and steadily, and the son of Mendelsohn figures to take a forward move in his 3yo debut…he’ll need to as his speed figs are slightly lower than a few in here.