Handicapper Tips & Picks

With a case to be made with many in the opener #2 NOT NORMAL sits as the least obvious and as a result most interesting. He showed up with a strong effort here back in the spring at the longer two-turn route distance and higher N2X allowance condition. Since the race he stepped up stakes company was not as effective (and less than ideal trips) and similar in the August 5f sprint requiring added (STRETCH) ground. They were given time with the 42-day break leading into the 9/22 start, a race where they had both TRAFFIC and TROUBLE adversity playing a role in the outcome and given Hernandez a chance to redeem off that trip here. 

#8 MERIT finds a positive distance change in their second start at the claiming level and the right move to place them where they can compete at this point. #9 COULDITBEMAJIC presents upside and a contender at this level. They projected to IMPROVE closing out 2023 and with the long layoff  that followed they returned last month with a bar shoe, something to monitor in the changes for today's race. 

The question for both #1 MAGICAL LUTE and #2 QUATRO Y VINTE is the turf for this race as both come into this event with main track form that makes them a contender. While the surface switch is an unknown, the grass is the reason both have eligibility for this particular race to fit the conditions. 

#3 STABLE CURRENCY showed a lot of talent on debut after breaking SLOG made a MOVE X_FLOW and continued to CLOSE and GALLOP+ out strong. That gave her a look in the second start and beat the breaks off the 9/26 field recording a strong improved figures and B+ OptixGRADE that should see her step up to compete taking on winners and confidence from the connections coming into KEE. 

#1 QUINN'S PROMISE earned a follow off her BTL debut and validated those visuals with the 7/29 MSW. The connections will follow a similar "second off" pattern into this race and exiting the Pocahontas (G3) with some potential upside noting she was very fractious in the GATE and might have lost her race before it started.

Connections will make the call to drop #5 OTTOMAN PRINCE in for the claiming tag today - a move that could see a claim as well as IMPROVE from the races this season. Number wise he has been consistent and similar with the pattern of C+ OptixGRADES - Average for the allowance level, though move up naturally with today's lower race par/purse. 

#3 LOOKS LUCKY was well-prepared and placed breaking their maiden on debut and held their form with the effort against winners last month. The connections will find a similar spot for her and can even appreciate the STRETCH out. The route distance is still unproved for #6 SABRES though not a knock especially as they fit under today's conditions keying off the B OptixGRADE earned in the 7/28 start at DMR. 

#4 MUCHO MAGNIFICO was on a forward pattern heading into the 10/6 event when stepped up and stretched out and comes back down to a reasonable spot to compete. #2 STRETCH PASS follows a similar forward pattern and with the class drop though does appear more "obvious" of the two. 

#1 SMART ALMASTY comes into this race with buried form and sneaky good (B-) efforts in the two recent starts finishing off the board to get overlooked off the running lines and finishing positions. The effort from 9/6 earned the B OptixGRADE with a BTL showing given the TRAFFIC trip putting in a late CLOSE and GALLOP+. 

Arguably tougher to see on the recent form though #3 TOWN'S WARRIOR is a massive upgrade (ABOVE+ Plot) for today's race shape. He also stacks up ABOVE on Speed and AVERAGE+ on class in this conditional claiming event. Some further intent could be in play returning from the 41-day freshening, a reset in the current form cycle and reuniting with Wilson their primary rider from previous seasons as well as the 6/23 win rider. 

#4 CANTUCCI also can be given an upgrade keying off the 9/7 effort with the IMPROVE Projection on the day and back at the extended sprint distance.