Handicapper Tips & Picks

A contentious early pace should set up a scenario for an off the pace runner and some value with the projected ML favorites as part of the early pace: #3 W W CRAZY had an EX - EXCUSE back in May at CD and finish in part of the BLANKET finish along with #11 COMMUNICATION MEMO on 7/15. 

#5 TENENBAUM could be the "speed of the speed" in this race. She could also present upside making her belated return, one of the few 4yo fillies in this field and really just one race to key off of, her debut last November given the layoff that followed the Turfway start in December. 

#7 TIME FOR MAGIC is the one to get creative with in this spot granted #8 LETSTALKABOUTME is a solid favorite. The case for TIME FOR MAGIC is that she has yet to show her best and the figure back in May at CD is one she can step forward off of and if that is the case she is not far off that main rival. Going back to her KEE debut on 4/12 she showed run in spots with the X_WIDE trip in what appeared a PREP and upgraded in that May event making a MOVE X_FLOW and given another "flow upgrade" from the 6/28 turf race as part of the Very Fast early pace. 

#1 BOLT ACTION is logical on the class drop. The 4yo has held his form though has not shown much progression to make this type of move looking for the win. He can be upgraded in this second start of the cycle and from a less than ideal TACTIC- WIDE trip last month in what likely played a greater role than the route distance they return to today. He is preferred as the new face at this level and similar for FTS #4 REJOINDER and #8 SIX PACK MUMBLES preferred over #5 JON'S STREET BAND and #7 SAGITTARIUS, runners that should get attention for their connections and pattern of minor finishes. 

Looking at the OptixPLOT the Fire Contention paired with the higher 75 SpeedRate could be a hurdle for the front runners including ML favorite, #5 REAGAN'S FLAME though should play to the RunStyle of #1 DARK FURY in their first start against winners. #2 HIGH FASHION KATE does not "stand out" on the Plot, though given a sneaky upgrade here keying off the 6/8 race when making a CLOSE into a Very Slow early pace and overcorrected making a RUSH into a Fast early pace on the turf in the Pea Patch Stakes last month. 

#7 LINCOLN HIGHWAY is due for some racing luck and should be sitting on a peak effort. He turned in a BTL race in May at CD under N2 conditions before the complete EX - EXCUSE with the "trip" last month returning with a rider change. 

#2 VINOBELLO earned a follow through the OP season and deserving of another look back against winners. She was giving up recency and local experience heading into the 6/29 event, upgraded with the Fast early and late pace. N. Casse has been sending out live runners as of late. #8 PENDULUM has the turf foundation and upgraded from the "trip" last month at CD to move forward in this second start of the cycle.