Handicapper Tips & Picks

Race 6:  6 - 2 - 3

Late Pick 4 Ticket: 2,3,4,6,7 / 7,9,10 / 2,3,5,7,8 / 12  ($37.50)

Not proud of this pick at all, but #6 Mister Charming (3-1) seems to be rounding back into form. An 8-yr. old who is 3-for-65, “Charming” should sit right off the speed to his inside. The problem is the gelding is camera-shy, so I don’t know if today will be his day, but I feel as if he has as good a chance as any today. By every measure, he fits in this spot.

Race 7:  10 - 9 - 7

There are two “also-eligibles” signed on in the field, and either one can win. I’ll go with the horse on the far outside, #10 Cool Quartet (5-2). He’s as honest as the day is long, and looks to sit a comfy stalking trip on the outside. Not a fan of an 8yr-old coming off a relatively short layoff, but I’m expecting a short field with a switch to dirt. 

Race 8:  3 - 5 - 7

#3 Navy Seal (8-1) will need a pace meltdown to win, but I think that’s realistic. As the best closer on paper, Navy Seal got acclimated to the Cicero oval last time with an average effort. Now, he’s had time to train over the track and faces a field with a TON of early speed. Maybe I’m reaching too far, and perhaps the 6f is too short, but when I see a pace scenario so positive for a longer-priced horse, I have to tout. 

Race 9:  12 - 2 - 5

#12 Calisue (3-1) is on the AE-list, but I expect her to get into the field. Assuming she does, she’ll be very formidable, as most of the field is best on turf and not nearly as fast on paper on dirt. The wide post will be negated by a smaller field, so I’m less worried about being hung wide early.