Handicapper Tips & Picks

We kick off our final week of the thoroughbred season with a nice 10 race card that includes a Late Pick 5 carryover beginning in Race 6 of $7,709. Babies in the opener to sprint as Larry Rivelli enters the final week of the meet with a three win advantage over Chris Block for leading trainer. Rivelli sends out 7-HIGH PROBABILITY in the first as he draws the outside. The gate drill on September 15 was impressive (:46 3/5) as he looks to be loaded with speed. I like the outside post for him in here as I expect him to clear quickly and never look back. 6-REAL BLUES runs for DiVito, who has had a solid meet as well as he has also worked forwardly toward this start. His breeding suggests he may eventually want to go longer but the sharp gate work on September 8 may be a sign that he is ready here. 3-STRANGER'S CHURCH could be one that is picking off runners late as he makes his second Hawthorne start. He has run second in his first two races and just needs to avoid getting hung wide into the lane.

A good field on the grass in a race that doesn't look to have a ton of pace. Hopefully one of the outside runners will keep longshot Lavender Earl honest early as I'll look to 2-SHADY MCGEE to settle and look to rally late. He ran a nice race in his last as he had to overcome traffic trouble on the turn before angling wide. If he can safe a little ground in here he should be picking off horses quickly into the lane. 10-SOUL COAXING is one of those who should be able to keep Lavender Earl in check as he may benefit from a pressing trip. Despite the outside draw the run is long enough into the first turn to get tucked in and the distance suits. Expect a solid effort with the move back to the grass. 8-SILVER QUARTERS has class and just needs that pace to chase. He has run well on the year, oftentimes while facing tougher and he gets his best distance in here. Let's see if Baird can keep him close.

Conditioned claimers on the grass to go a mile in another spot that doesn't have a ton of early pace. Gave the nod to 5-SPICY ITALIAN as she gets back to the turf where she held her own against tougher two back. She does have some tactical speed and could settle a bit closer early in here. 11-JOYZELLA could be a bit of a sleeper from the outside. It's been some time since she has run on turf but the recent form has been better and her race against this company two back was a solid performance. Maybe the stretch back out for 7-CRYSTAL SNOW puts her on the lead in this spot. The trainer switched bits for her last start which seems to fix some of the drifting problems she was having. If she can get away in good order and relax on the front, she may have enough left to hang around late.

Conditioned claimers in a pretty evenly match bunch. The rider change could be the difference for 6-CHAMPAGNE MIKE as Cohen is back aboard. He did ride around two turns two back but that was against much tougher. Since dropping to this level, the efforts have been stronger and let's see if he can finish today. 2-WILD TIME ran an improved race on the drop in his last as he was closing late down the center of the lane. He will need some pace to chase but has never missed the board in five starts at this distance. 5-ANCIENT MAN could be a bit of a sleeper as he has run well in his three dirt starts since being claimed. He does tend to run on too late at times but could close to get into the mix underneath.

Pace makes the race and there's not much along the lines of pace in here. Hoping that 1-DINOS DIXIE is able to clear from the rail and show that speed as he comes off a good effort at this level in his last. With E.T. aboard he gets a great speed rider and the barn has had a fine meet. 10-MAHONEY ROAD has tactical speed as he figures to rate close the entire way. He chased as the favorite in his last and battled late but has had a solid year and should be worth a look once again. 2-A P BLAZING GREEN will be hoping for a contested pace as he should come running in the lane. Slow starts have been costly in his last three but if he can get away in good order and save ground in here he should be picking off horses late.

The race for the old men as 7yo's and up take to the track in the Methuselah. Let's see if we can upset the likely favorite as I'll give the nod to 6-DEVIL VISION in this spot. He ran a solid race just last week as he was left to chase the lone speed of Christmas Present and was the only one getting to that runner late. There's more pace in this spot to chase as he should get the jump on the late closers. 10-DANVILLEhas been competitive in the Allowance ranks but drops back down for this spot as he looks to get a confidence boost. He likes this track but may have to work out positioning early from the outside draw. 4-WHISKEY WEDNESDAY didn't show much in his last but was solid in the three starts prior. He has the ability to close with a rush and is another that will benefit from a quick and contested pace upfront.

With some pace in here to her outside, thinking 2-SHABAM could be sitting on a perfect trip as she looks to rate and rally in the lane. She was a good winner around two turns on the dirt in her start two back and gets back to a similar level today. Expect her to take a good amount of action in here. 10-MORNING LINE NEWS just missed in her last at this level and figures to get a similar trip once again. Santos rode her to victory three back and is back in the saddle today. 6-CHILD PROOF has speed and may be the one looking to clear early. If she can shake loose, she has the potential to wire this field but I'm concerned she may have some company early from She Be Sheehan.

Turf maidens to close the day with a full field. 10-SHOTGUN RUNNER comes off a good race in his last as he had to overcome some traffic in the lane which was costly. He has shown good tactical speed in recent races and may rate close in this race that is lacking early pace. 2-INTERLUDE has some speed as he chased in his last and contended well into the lane. That race did come back in June though but he has been working consistently since that start. Cohen gets the call in here for Roussel. 12-MACHIVA scratched off the also-eligibles in the Hawthorne Derby last Saturday for this spot as she will take on the boys today. She has been improving with each start and just missed with last rallies in her last couple. Let's see if she can everyone down late in here.