Handicapper Tips & Picks

#1 TRUST DADDY can be upgraded as he makes his second start on this circuit (ship and win) and considerable class relief from the most recent starts. The drop is less of a concern picked up for $30k back in April and shows intent with the fitness and changes (including rider) here. 

Intent could also come into play with #2 CURRY making his second start back after a very long layoff (once again) with the weight break and rider change where they project to show early speed and could attempt to wire the field. A lot of the other early speed is drawn outside and those runners coming back off layoffs at this time bring reservations. 

In terms of projected favorite, #5 UNCLE REG he fits at this level, a lateral move in terms of par from his wins back in May and June though still requires a top effort and takes on a competitive field. 

#9 MUSCLED had a look off the works leading into his debut, however given an EX on the day from the jump breaking VSLOG and showed a MOVE and with the EXCUSE can be given a look right back under similar conditions. 

#2 WENDELSSOHN can be upgraded with the current form cycle and under today's conditions. He ran a huge race (B+) on a quick turnaround breaking his maiden on 7/7 and showed up on this circuit first time around two turns and against winners last month. He was FTQ though part of a Very Fast early and late pace, presenting a flow upgrade from that event here. 

#6 NO MALARKEY is staying in the race and a positive surface switch to the TURF. She has shown progression race to race and can project another move forward and perhaps even intent after the pair of apprentice riders, journey L. Contreras takes over. 

#2 STORMY RALEIGH also look to take to the turf, though unlike others in this field that take the class drop they raced at this level and require improvement off the C+ on 8/10. 

#6 ROYAL RIBBON recorded a B OptixGRADE effort under similar conditions with the place finish last November. She returned off the layoff in July with a WIDE NO_PUSH trip and visually can IMPROVE off that race and outcome.

#3 DUVAL STREET is logical right back even with the changes here. She turned in a competitive race on debut and a BTL effort in her second start. She was freshened 42-day before returning last month, a subtle trip SHUFFLE WIDE in running. 

#1 YLIVOIMAINEN will be required to take another step forward in this group with a new others that have recorded higher figures. With that said, he earned a follow on debut racing in TRAFFIC X_FLOW making a WIDE MOVE and projected to IMPROVE. While he did step forward 13 speed figures points he caught a tough group and tough task given the placement in the DELAY edition of the Soaring Free Stakes two weeks ago. 

#4 EMPOWER was given a tough test on debut in the Victoria stakes and held their own with the B- OptixGRADE. Physically he looked to benefit from added/STRETCH ground and off the TURF visuals last month, those two things come together here. 

#4 MINEDANDREFINED had a TROUBLE on 8/3 though more significant than the trip was the class running against much tougher and finds the DROP here the right move in her second start of the season.