Handicapper Tips & Picks

#6 VANISKY wheels right back and while there are some concerns with the time away and now the drop he should show more run today. Last week he drew the rail climbing over the track early and in hand not asked for run. This one has more early speed and should come into play here with the all around changes and timing.

The same timing and ability to show early speed also follows #5 SLAVA UKRAINI from the event one week ago when he broke SLOG and unprepared out of the GATE. Following his efforts this season, he holds plenty of races that fit on par to return to a top effort here. In addition, he picks up another rider change looking for a more assertive hand exiting higher race par events this season and competitive numbers from earlier this season that fit as a prime contender.

Number wise there is not much between #3 MISTER CHARMING and #7 PLAIN OR PEANUT and both capable of working out a favorable trip looking at the Plot. The edge in recency sides to MISTER CHARMING and could land higher with the public as Rachel Slevinsky shifts back to PLAIN OR PEANUT returning off the layoff. As far as form cycle, MISTER CHARMING follows and “every other” pattern into this race and while looking for that first win this season he has been right there and will note PLAIN OR PEANUT fits the conditions of today’s race as the lone winner this season, he caught a lower race par and the race flow back on 6/1. 

#4 ATKINS turned in a strong effort (B) under similar conditions last month with a less than ideal trip and could catch the right group and intent returning here. He has been given a little more time between starts keying off the quick turnaround last out, the return to Centeno as well as two works since 8/29 to suggest he has held his fitness. The edge on recency and class could turn out to be the separator today in this allowance group and the complexion of this race from a race dynamic standpoint.

Part of the race dynamic comes down to the outside runners with #6 FINDAWAY stretching out and still looking to prove where he fits after catching a softer group breaking his maiden on debut with #7 CHAOS REINS to his outside with proven route speed as an older established horse. He will give up recency coming back off the 110-day layoff along with the ride in class racing protected for the first time since his MSW days in 2022.

#5 DANVILLE is another older, established racehorse with form this season returning from a slight 46-day freshening. He has held his own against this type of allowance company, however, has come up short on the win end or a winning effort something that keeps him in the mix though not quite on the “horse to beat” level here; something that follows #1 GLUCKSTADT returning to the main track though will pick up Mojica and could be positive intent with that rider assignment.

#4 STABLE CURRENCY made a positive appearance in the paddock on debut and the visuals to suggest she would benefit from added (STRETCH) ground and backed that up in running while catching the eye making a MOVE X_FLOW and strong CLOSE and GALLOP+ out after the wire. That debut will not go unnoticed here and with the connections likely to be favored and valid in that role.

C. Block will also debut #7 CURLS NITE OUT one that was entered earlier this month with Mojica aboard and notable as he lands on #3 GOLDENAGEACTRESS one that made a very classy appearance back at the March sale when just in a gallop. She carried herself very professionally and physically should be right at home around two turns and appears well prepared off the series of works.

#8 CLASSYCOWTOWNLADY showed some ability on debut though still a little GREEN first out and should benefit from the start and added works since to IMPROVE off the initial experience. She has kept up in training as a positive and will make the transition to this circuit and the grass picking up a live rider in J. Felix. 

This is a competitive MCL event where many lightly raced types will look to find the right move where they fit on the class DROP. Two top trainers will send out a pair with Rivelli bringing back #1 GOOD TO BE PRINCE and #5 BEST DRESSED MAN with the class change for their second starts and Catalano with IL-bred pair of #3 HOLDEN MICHAEL and filly #7 LYLAH RENEE all capable though likely to get attention off the connections alone and could catch a price with some others in this field:

#2 LEO’S WISH moved forward race-to-race though on a class standpoint was not quite to the allowance competition and takes the DROP here as the right move off the races this season. #9 SNEAKY FEET also should appreciate the change in class along with the timing off the races to establish form and coming back today with the outside draw from the rail last out. #8 MARK MY MEMORY made a positive PRERACE+ appearance took a lot of wagering support in the face of the heavy favorite, eventual winner Baby Boat in that 9/15 common race and without much hesitation wheels right back here.

#6 MAN OF QUALITY is worth a mention coming back from a WIDE trip winning type effort on 8/31 at FD though could find this spot as a slight rise based on circuit purse and giving up local experience. 

Many of the runners in this field return from the 9/1 common race with the BLANKET finish and SETUP winner #2 CHROME ATTACK all back under similar conditions here. The complexion of this race could see a similar dynamic to assist off the pace runners including #5 SHE’S WANDAFUL one that was right there in the BLANKET finish with a BTL effort in a less than ideal trip.

The dynamic could shift enough for both #1 FROSTED ÉCLAIR back at the rail, a slight hurdle for her in the past though again could be compensated on price. #6 MADELYN BELLE could again be favored, a pattern for her and has some knocks on 9/1 in that role, though makes for a better fit in here, however price should still be considered in today’s race. MADELYN BELLE can stalk and pounce something she was unable to do in the complexion of the race last out stuck out WIDE on an early DUEL. She does not need to contest the pace here though #8 RAMBERT drawn outside has her hand forced to clear other speed to her inside with the new faces of #3 HA HA GLORIA and #4 ICY RIVER showing up in this spot.

#7 MOMENT TO SHINE also has some early speed and proven over this turn course and distance though timing perhaps the bigger knock coming off a hard fought win posting a new top and without much recovery time from the effort just 17-days ago at PRM. 

#2 RESOLUTION has the license to move forward in this second start of the cycle returning from the 9/5 common race. On the day she was not only giving up 42-days in terms of recency – she made a RUSH into a Fast early pace taking KICKBACK behind horses. The race flow should be noted as an upgrade for RESOLUTION here and credit for #5 PEGGY’S WAY staying on as the BOS through the X_FLOW after stumbling at the start/TROUBLE_S.

The race shape assisted the winner, Holy Image with a stalking trip and for #1 QUIERO DINERO picking up horses late and should find a similar tracking trip as the early pace should be hot/Fire and honest with the runners in this field including the returning #3 BLUE LILY after over a year off as well as #6 PROBLEMATICA one with legitimate early speed and given a freshening after the self-inflicted (RUSH/RANK) X_FLOW EX – EXCUSE   back on 8/15.

If there is a very fast pace should #8 BACKSTAGE PASS and #4 CRYSTAL SNOW try to get involved early as well, #7 LUTION has a solid late kick and return to Hawthorne in a sprint race for the first time since opening weekend when she made her first start of the year from a 138-day layoff and at a shorter 5f distance in allowance company. 

#3 C’EST MAGNIFIQUE returns fresh for the connections and back under similar conditions from the 8/4 allowance when turning in a “winning” race for the level (B) making a MOVE through TRAFFIC waiting just a bit too long allowing the race winner, Towering Storm first run. They are given a look off that effort and in today’s race all around to come back with another competitive effort. Their class gives them the slight edge over stablemate #8 GREAT COOLNESS though overall a positive in this second start of the cycle with a subtle trip on 9/5 and back under similar conditions with D. Cohen aboard.

T. Tracy also shows up with a capable pair in this race including #5 SIR PISTOLERO returning with the barn and circuit change off the layoff and positive as they will race protected here with Mojica aboard. They will find a lateral change in terms of race par from the May events out in California, those races were SIR PISTOLERO finished both in a BLANKET at the wire. #7 KING OF THE PALACE showed a ton of run WIDE X_BIAS three weeks ago behind his stablemate winner, Talons Time. While he has the edge on recency of the duo, this will be just the second time they will attempt the two turn distance and does have that hurdle here. 

The connections look to have #7 PRINCESS TENKO placed to pick up the win. They had similar intent with the class drop two weeks ago though unable to get right pace to make her run settling for a B- competitive 4^th place result. They will stretch back out, retain Mojica and take another drop where a claim is also likely.

#3 NO NANNETTE NO started off the season with a win here back in April, a win under similar conditional claiming company. She was stepped up since and open at tougher distances as well as entered in races compromised with the race shape and her off the pace runstyle. She will find her way back to a “Fire” Contention and higher speed rate along with the change to run back in for a tag, the last time she was at the level in August, IMPROVE was projected off the 4^th place result making a WIDE MOVE X_FLOW. R. Slevinsky looked to have some options in this field and lands aboard for the first time.

The class drop looked to move up #9 TIMELESS GLORY on 9/8 and did just though the sprint distance on the day could have played a role in the outcome and that changes as she stretches back out in here. Part of the early pace should include #8 MORNING LINE NEWS a flow and all around upgrade from the allowance 11-days ago and right back to a claiming condition had her competitive in August, however, does require a big effort today with a higher par than those events last month. 

Trip is key once again for #5 BALI BABY though with some racing luck she is overdue for a win. She requires some pace to target and while the early pace can be a tougher read with #4 I THINK I KNOW YOU as a “new” face and #10 TRIBEST on the outside with route early speed, though should still be honest with confirmed front running sprinter #3 GET THE CANDY in the field and with #8 DOCS SEVEN showing early speed last out with the BOS win at this level. BALI BABY made a MOVE behind DOCS SEVEN and not far off number wise from the turf sprint races this season.

#7 LIPLINER also brings in some buried form and buried grass form this meet. She looked to be given the race returning off the layoff on 6/8 and wheeled right back with a BTL show finish three weeks later. She was pitched into a higher race par in July and then caught the main track last month and should improve back on the TURF and perhaps some intent with E. T. Baird taking over.

The Gonzalez pair are worth a mention in with mixed signals. #1 MUSED holds back class and turf form that fits on par, though those races were back in 2022 and while she did find the show finish with a solid figure in April, there have been the layoff lines since that come with reservations. Her stablemate #2 BIA BOLT RUNNER has the edge in recency and a sneaky good effort on 9/5 at HS Indy given the trip (B-) on the day a lot stronger effort than perhaps the running line and finishing position suggest.