Handicapper Tips & Picks

Local Hawthorne racemare #7 SAMARITA did not appear to like (NO_HANDLE) the Hawthorne off track last month and has a solid record at KEE however today has a tougher group as she will likely try to get out to the lead and attempt to take this field gate to wire. 

That projected contentious pace should assist #5 SEQUIN LADY, a prime contender here. She recorded a strong figure with the WIDE trip back in August at DMR and held her form (B-) last month at CD for a COLD barn at the time and has been pointing to this KEE meet. 

#7 RIVER RIDGE should move up naturally with the class drop and a new face compared to many others in this field that have run for a tag and come up short without excuse under similar conditions. 

#10 GRAND ILLUSION also will race for a tag in this second start. Arguably he finds a lateral change in class from the MSW at IND back in August though can present a move forward off that trip making a MOVE X_FLOW after TROUBLE_S and appears to hold intent for this spot after a trainer scratch last month at CD under similar MCL conditions/par though at a longer 8f distance than sticking with the 6f sprint. 

#4 IMPROBABLE JOURNEY holds some buried form that fits on par and upside in this second start of the cycle and off the claim with a subtle X_WIDE excuse last out at SAR. He has form and figures that fit on par, KEE experience, and competitive races under L. Saez the returning rider for this event. 

ML favorite #1 STAGE LEFT is logical and after "winning" the 9/19 race riderless will look to make it count here. 

#11 CALL ME ICE MAN took a legit stumble (TROUBLES+) coming out of the gate here at Hawthorne last month and raced under a passive ride, with some excuses all around. They  will wheel back for this race and back in for a tag along with the extended sprint distance, something of a positive for this gelding. 

#1 STAY LOST has some positive longshot qualities to give consideration here and keep in the mix. She holds an unofficial career win with a dominant B+ effort last October at BTP though DQ shows up is one of the older longtime maidens in this group. While that present some reservations, she holds some KEE form including a BTL show effort under similar conditions back in April and should hold plenty of price compensation here.

#6 BRACKET BUSTER turned in a BTL effort on debut at IND and off that race improved their speed figure last month at CD despite a less than ideal TACTIC- trip taking KICKBACK while racing in TRAFFIC before TROUBLE pushed WIDE and was in hand late. They could continue to progress and hold fitness in this third start stretching out off the two sprint foundation. 

#9 COOPER improved last month after taking KICKBACK on debut over the summer at SAR. Physically they look every part of a two turn ROUTER and should hold their form here. 

Tough to get too creative outside the logical #1 SILVER ROSE and #6 MISS ENCHANTED though following a TROUBLES+ and a BTL effort on this circuit and 6f distance #2 SING A LITTLE SONG should be able to regroup and look to pick up horses (preferred over #5 BEDAZZLE 'EM seeking a similar trip) late.

Even without the AE runners in this field, the early pace should be both honest (Sun) and contentious (19) something that will force #1 GREEN LIGHT to be "mtb" with pace pressure as they project to be forward given their preferred runstyle paired with the rail draw. 

Setting up from off the pace: #5 KATHEEB has the "obvious" look given their recent form and series of place finishes whereas #10 EL REY REY should be overlooked off the recent running lines and finishing positions brings some fitness as they stretch out from the extended distance sprint last month at KYD.