Handicapper Tips & Picks

Race 8:  7 - 6 - 1

Late Pick 4 Ticket: 1,6,7 / 2,4,5,7 / 4,5,7 / 2,3,4  ($54)

Not sure in my entire handicapping career spanning over 25 years have I touted a 5yo maiden who’s 0-for-21 as my top choice, but here we are! The bottom line is this…#7 Mining Camp (7-5) is lone speed on paper and dropping down in class. That’s a very dangerous combination at any level. If Mining Camp can’t get the job done today…oh my.

Race 9:  4 - 7 - 2

A NY-Bred 2nd time starting daughter of Cairo Price, #4 Roar of Silence (7-2) is dropping down to a more realistic spot today for trainer Goldfine and jockey Felix. The trainer has excellent stats for 2nd-time starters and although I couldn’t find too many excuses for her first effort, this field is pretty weak. I’m expecting improvement and a winning effort today. 

Race 10:  4 - 5 - 7

There’s plenty of early speed in this affair, but I’ll take the speed of the speed with #4 Boyce’s Bandita (8-5). Her morning line price is way too low for a win bet, but the drop down to an easier level, facing horses that don’t like to pass each other, makes “Boyce” a tough customer if she can get a comfortable lead. If she gets pressed / breathed on, we might see an upset in the penultimate race of the day.

Race 11:  2 - 3 - 4

The closing race of the day is a turf sprint. #2 Rambert (6-1) has plenty of early gas, although so do others. Going 5 ½ furlongs will force jockey Cohen to make some decisions. I don’t want this one involved in a pace battle, so I’m hoping he’ll just sit off the early speed comfortably in the pocket. He’s been staked in the past and jumps up in claiming price, plus recently claimed by a new trainer, so perhaps he’s well-meant today. He’s going to have run well to defeat his counterparts.