Handicapper Tips & Picks

Race 5:  6 - 2 - 3

Late Pick 4 Ticket: 1,2,3,5,6,8 / 1 / 2,8,10 / 5,8  ($18)

This is a very nice field of allowance runners going 6 ½ furlongs. The pace appears to be lively early, but there are also some question marks. I’m choosing one of those “fuzzies” in #6 Sawyer Fox (5-1), who has not run since Sept. of last year. The 4yo Hit It a Bomb gelding is trained by Catalano and showed some massive potential last year, breaking his maiden (albeit state-bred) by 9 lengths. He’s been working lightning fast and hopefully will stalk the early speed to his inside. The presence of jockey Cohen gives me more confidence as well. Very interested to see what the gelding will do today.

Race 6:  1 - 2 - 4

#1 Command Point (9-5) crushed a bunch of these last time, and I see no reason to go against her today either. She’s very tough at this level and Cohen will be able to save ground throughout the race, and tip out in the lane. Unless she regresses 2nd time off the layoff and throws in a clunker, she’s a likely winner. 

Race 7:  8 - 2 - 10

In general, I prefer younger horses vs. older ones, especially if they’re over 7yo. Therefore, I’ll go to #8 Unified Weekend (4-1), who has much more upside than others and is first off the claim for Trainer Dizeo. Leading rider Mojica takes the reins, and this colt has nice tactical speed which will allow him to save some ground into the first turn from the 8-hole. He lost last time, but it was a contested pace the whole way. Maybe Mojica will sit off a bit and be more effective.

Race 8:  8 - 5 - 1

Let’s end the card with a winner and come home with #8 McMoney (4-1) in this $25k claimer. Even though he’s lost to Category Ten in his last two, whom he faces again today, this race is scheduled for turf, and surface on which McMoney appears to be faster than dirt. I’m not in love with the quickish turnaround in two weeks, but Felix stays on and if he can save some ground on one of the turns, he’ll have a big shot in the lane with the right trip.