Handicapper Tips & Picks

It is quite rare to see three straight EX - EXCUSE notes in a row though that is the case for #3 LINCOLN HIGHWAY here. There is some liability for a horse that seems to create issues though in this case some of it was circumstantial not "trouble"  and held held their form and figures with back competitive races over this turf course and distance along with what expects to be plenty of price compensation. 

#10 MIZZYAAN earned a follow after the EX - EXCUSE chasing X_BIAS at DMR on August 2nd. She validated the visuals from that effort with a strong BTL, B OptixGRADE with the place finish last month. While both of those efforts validate her in the role of the favorite, the pattern of SLOG has been a hinderance in those events and could expect similar out of the gate today. 

#11 SOPHISTICATE projected to move up with the STRETCH out in distance following a sneaky CLOSE and strong GALLOP+ out on debut. She improved with the BTL effort in August and while the finishing position last month at 2-1 was a less than ideal outcome, she still turned in an honest B- effort getting a SHUFFLE out of position before putting in a strong CLOSE. 

#2 FIRE BAN much step up in the figure department to compete for a top spot though has buried form in her finishing positions including the B- OptixGRADE returning from the 9/7 common race and the IMPROVE Projection on OptixNOTES from the 8/2 TRAFFIC TROUBLE trip. 

#5 BEACH BOMB comes in with intrigue after a game effort (B) in the Violet Stakes. That effort sneaky good was her first start stateside a good jumping off point and fitness with a WIDE trip finishing with a strong CLOSE. The connections making the trip second off and with the added ground while picking up a solid local rider suggests further intent. 

#2 SERIOUS GREEN was perhaps flattered by the FLOW aided show finish on debut and encouraged the connections to try stakes company in the two starts that followed. Some of their confidence was validated with a sneaky run and less than ideal TACTIC- in the Muskoka S. where she projected to IMPROVE though compromised by the TROUBLE_S RUSH last month in the Victoria Queen S. on the turf. She will reasonably return to maiden company before all confidence lost racing against tougher foes and projects some intent with the rider change as journeyman D. Fukumoto taking over here. 

#12 LIKE THE KING showed a lot of ability to start off his career and in those early starts positioned himself in the gate of the 2021 KY Derby. Since his campaign as an older gelding the connections have been looking to find where he fits and what it is he wants to do. They have had success on the turf and at the longer distances going back to a BTL show finish in the 10f Niagara S. from 2022. This season he has come back perhaps in the best form of his career, form that could be buried in finishing positions and intent as they STRETCH out from the King Edward (G2) last month. 

#5 NADETTE has been in strong form this season and fits today's race conditions. She picked up her first graded stakes win back in April in the Wilshire (G3) a dominant B+ effort that allowed her to hold form in the Gamely (G1) and win the Beverly D Preview in July. The added ground in the Beverly D. (G2) played against her and looked to move up with the SHORTER distance in the Ladies Turf (G3) at KY Downs, however was unable to run her race to compete stuck X_FLOW. That 6th place result and running line could have her dismissed here without reason and intent with J. Leparoux making the trip north coming back to ride today.