Handicapper Tips & Picks

#1 SAILING SOLO is legitimate as the favorite in this spot. His figures sit strongly as the highest in the field with overall form and class to translate into this claiming event at this point in his career as a 9yo. While he will return from the layoff here, that has been a factor of patience waiting for the turf and a race entered three times since the “recent” December start.

#4 SOUL COAXING in the race should keep him honest up front (Q1 Circle) though could be a hurdle on the win end for him in that role and by comparison though otherwise fits as an individual. One could also project, #8 BLOW TORCH to show early speed as well draw outside and stretching back out in distance with his route form showing BOS Keywords when competitive and with fellow front runner, #7 SIR LUMPALOT to his inside.

#3 LAND MARK DEAL also has been waiting for the turf though connections have remained in the races and keeping up their conditioning waiting for a race. He wheels back from the $25k claiming event 20-days ago and as far as class at this level, there could be some hurdles there though his B- efforts at this level and figures on his best day sit on par.

#6 MONSTERONTHEMIDWAY also has been looking for the grass to make a return and while he does return here on the right surface, he will be tested at this level to step up as this is a slight rise though a lightly raced type for live connections becomes less of a concern and should not be favored. #5 DYNABLUE moves up on the TURF though his better races were at a lower class (similar for #2 EDEN PARADISE) and a minor share appears the ceiling. 

#1 FLASHY RICHIE comes into this race with buried and key progressive form with improving OptixGRADES since his win/B coming off the layoff 3/24 back on opening weekend. Looking at the Plot he does not hold any significant pace edge (something that could come into play with #3 BLURT on the lead) though capable in today’s race shape given the complexion of the field and price compensation.

While BLURT will try to clear in a “gate-to-wire” threat, #4 CARTE BLANCHE should not be far off (Quad I Square) stalking with first run. He recorded a B Grade and with figures on par for today’s race and upside with the timing between starts compared to #5 IRISH VALOR wheeling right back off a win and new top 19-days ago. 

Rivelli has a strong hand in this compact field with a capable pair: #3 KAELY’S SISTER has the edge on recency and with progressive form (improving OptixGRADE/FIG) and with the B+ in the most recent start to translate with the rise in class; #4 WILMA MANKILLER gives up recency from the 247-day layoff though has a strong string of return works including some “bullets” and looking at the Plot, is tough to dismiss in this event. 

#4 TONY’S MORNING LINE has held his form all season and on this circuit with the B- OptixGRADE efforts at the higher, open claiming class earlier in the meet. He moves up with today’s Plot position and a subtle upgrade from the Plot position when making a MOVE behind his “BOS” stablemate winner, Baseball Politics in the 6/1 common race at FAN.

Both #7 RISKY BOY and #8 TIME HEIST have held their form here this season and not much to overall split the pair even as RISKY BOY brings in the higher figures from the Past 3 Runlines. Number wise his figures sit identical to #6 FIRST MASAMUNE one that should be the higher on the board of this trip and upgraded as a result. 

#1 A. P. BLAZING GREEN one that has recorded some of the highest figures by far in this field and from that standpoint alone figures as the horse to beat. With that said the overall race record creates some reservations on that front though this will be just his first start in statebred maiden company while on the grass.

#2 LONE RETURN makes a return to the maiden ranks and with upside at this level on the turf. He was scheduled to race on the turf for the seconds tart and getting the to turf closing week improved with the place finish, B- OptixGRADE and highest recorded figure. With the turf race three weeks ago earning and nearly pairing the number from last season, the upgrade fits with the surface switch to the grass and on par in this event. Going back to that 9/3 race, a common race with #9 PONCHO ATTACK and not much between the two overall on the day whereas LONE RETURN could present the upside of the two early in their 4yo campaign. #7 TIGGER ATTACK will also start here for V. Childers and while they will make the rise in class he recorded some solid figures last year as a juvenile that fit with many in this field and could get into the mix at longer odds.

The return to maiden company also follows #5 JAKES CHANNEL from the 5/25 event and another than ran on the 9/3 MSW event here last season. That race was not an ideal trip for JAKES CHANNEL though some positives for the J. Rednour barn as they also sent out that race winner, J. J’S SOLUTION. Rednour will also be represented here by filly, #8 COLLIE WRAYS KITTY one that can move up on the TURF though has some catching up in this field.

#6 PONTUS is worth a mention as they have held their figures this season and should translate in today’s group and even to the TURF however class (DROP) is still noted here despite the consistency and taking on older. 

This race is wide open and open to a price as #6 LOOKIN FOR REVENGE is not out of it in the role as the projected favorite, though does not hold any edge in this race. The early pace advantage shifts to #8 FLYING SAMURAI and even upgrades #4 FUTURE VISION looking at the standard PLOT and lone Quad I Square. FUTURE VISION is further upgrade with the progressive OptixGRADES that have improved race-to-race and following that pattern could be sitting on that “B” effort.

#1 CHICKS FOR FREE could be upgraded all around, however much deal and work through KICKBACK from the inside, something they struggled with back on 5/12. Overall form gives them an upgrade from that race and off their form cycle this season remaining at the route distance at the right level for their abilities. CHICKS FOR FREE brings into today’s race shape a Plot shape/position in line with rivals #3 NOT VERY GENTLE, #5 JIM AND JIM and #7 PERFUMER and could be the highest of that group. 

Morning line favorite, #7 ALL ABOUT ME is at her best when she is LONE and perhaps she finds that trip here looking at the Standard Plot, however the pace becomes contentious on Surface/Distance bringing a few others into Quad I.

#2 MISS RIVER RAT figures the logical. She just cleared the N1 condition and drops in for the claiming tag and will run for the higher tag offered to IL-Bred runners. Those factors suggest the connections could be looking for a claim today though could still win here as well.

#4 DESSERT FIRST is not the “most likely” winner though should present value especially in the multi’s as the other two project to take the bulk of support and high owned in this race. DESSERT FIRST has some buried turf form and form this year. While she is stepping up from the claiming ranks to run here, the race par suggests this is closer to a lateral move and with the B OptixGRADE back on 4/27 she is not out of it here. 

#4 HEAVENLY HASH moves up in today’s race shape (Plot) and on the class DROP as she makes her second start off the claim and back under $5k conditions where she was competitive earlier this season and claimed. #5 STYLE follows a similar pattern of intent dropping back down to the level where she was claimed and off the win back on 5/4.

STYLE requires pace to chase (Quad II/IV Square) though should have some contention with #6 HELEN MAE’S SONG and #7 SUPORB in the field and should be kept honest with #3 LADY ATLANTIC and #9 TIMELESS GLORY also capable of showing early foot and their post positions respectively could dictate that trip.

#2 ESSENTIAL BELLA recorded a B OptixGRADE back on 5/11 in the BLANKET finish at the wire and that race par being identical to today’s keeps her in the mix.

#1 KITTEN ROCKS comes back to make a second start off the layoff and some upside from that 5/19 race. Intent might not have been there as her stablemate, Go Stormin Girl (won 6/8) was the 1-2 favorite and KITTEN ROCKS had to return to the paddock for a replacement rider nearing post time/GATE. She is winless since the summer of 2022 though has turned in competitive (B-) races and figures on par at times since. 

#6 OFF THE LAM earned a follow from the subtle trips at OP and will be less “under the radar” today coming off the B OptixGRADE and BLANKET finish last month under similar conditions. #8 CROSSANNA was also part of that BLANKET finish also earning a B OptixGRADE and BTL Keyword and upgraded making her CLOSE (and GALLOP+) into a Slow early pace. In addition to OFF THE LAM, F. Gutierrez will also send out #4 ARGAN to ensure early pace and at the same time can remain along for a minor as one that has recorded some the higher, consistent figures though short of that “B” effort.

#7 REALISTIC GOAL also from that 5/12 common race turned in a BTL effort as she had to also run X_FLOW showing interest in the less than ideal trip to IMPROVE off of. Class wise there as some concerns for #5 POSSESSION coming in off the debut two weeks ago in MCL company though should have no issues transferring her form to the TURF.

As far as the FTS both #1 DEAL’EM AND WEEP and #9 ROAR OF SILENCE shows up for capable barns and can be upgraded/downgraded off visuals on the board and in the paddock. #2 WAHIDA OF MARDAN will give up recency though going back to last year was entered in a MSW turf sprint to suggest some intent for the grass.