Handicapper Tips & Picks

8-HI HO HEZ SILVER-Dropper tough in local debut

9-FLICKDAWRIST-Been meeting tougher in Minnesota

7-BELLAS FIRST MOOSS-Rushes up to grab a share

4-WHISKEY LOU-A winning machine; 10-for-11 in 2024

1-LOUS AMAZON-Been far better with Lasix

7-PEEKABOO SAL-Just 2^nd to top choice

1-TRU CASH-Sharp all year

5-LITTLE CHIPPER-Wired last after 3 month layoff

6-GRITTY GATOR-Sleeper’s best gets him in the hunt

2-GORGEOUS BIG GUY-Won 16 of 20; 2^nd in the rest

4-FOX VALLEY DURHAM-Stablemate of top choice usually close

7-FOX VALLEY JULIAN-Tracks; can pounce late

4-FOX VALLEY SADIE-Might be sent right to lead; won last two

5-NO WORDS NEEDED-Like top choice won a leg of “Peachy”

3-FIRST OF HER NAME-Comes off a 10-length romp

10-ALALECIA-Tough post but not out of it

6-SHADY MAPLE ALSTAR-Dygert leg winner; sharp last four

1-MOPPIES MOOSS-Just won a Dygert leg; inside post helps

7-SLIPSLIDE-Might try for the early lead

2-FOX VALLEY TIEGEN-Competitive with Whiskey Lou

6-CALYPSO MOON-Has dead aim late

5-CHANGE THE TUNE-Share chance if she doesn’t break

6-HYPEYOURBESTIEUP-Quick enough to lead throughout

1-FOX VALLEY REEVA-Dangerous from rail with 2^nd Lasix

4-FOX VALLEY TESSA-Good at right time; just won Peachy leg

2-GUITAR MAN-Won 12 of 21 including Carey leg

8-NEGOTIATOR-Can lead throughout despite outside post

7-FOX VALLEY KODIAK-Guessing 3^rd early; finishes fast

10-ALLINEEIZAMIRACLE-Expecting her to be flying late

5-MISS LARRY-Seemingly improved with Lasix

1-ITTY BITTY SECRET-Likely leads from rail

3-PEACE STAR-Been knocking at the door

2-DAY OF LEGENDS-Guessing seeks early lead

9-CRESENTROLLER-Ready off good qualifier

5-ROLLIN COAL-Always liked this mare; won an Open in last

10-FILLISTER PHOTO-Gets great pace scenario

1-DÉJÀ VU BABY BOO-Come off hard-fought Mn victory

4-SLEAZY MAMA-Been meeting tougher at tougher meet

2-MY DADDY’S REVENGE-Needed last; does well at Haw

6-DANDY’S MNM-Trouble cost her in last

6-SG CLOVER SUCCESS-Just missed 3 of last 4

5-CAPTAIN COSETTE-Invades off best race yet

8-SHADY MAPLE BRIDGT-In the money in 7 of 11

2-MY BUDDY STEVE-Won last time he raced at this level

7-I UNDERSTAND-Fair marvel won 16 of 35 this year

8-KEY INGREDIANT-Maybe finishes fastest of all

#7 JACK'S TIME might not end up favored as projected given their connections and some of the "bigger names" in this field, despite arguably being deserving of that chalk role. JACK'S TIME was very impressive (B+) breaking his maiden on debut overcoming GREEN-ness and a poor start (TROUBLE_S) and forced to RUSH into a solid X_FLOW pace drawing clear and continued to GALLOP+ after the wire. That effort gave him a look despite the big hurdles stepping up to take on winners, graded stakes company and the circuit switch last month. With those factors of adversity he created one more acting up and very fractious in the GATE rearing up multiple times and was not checked out. It is encouraging with the two recorded local KEE works, an outside draw for a change and picking up L. Saez in this spot as they stretch out two turns for the first time. 

Looking to get creative, #6 SAHALAT brings upside in this second start of the cycle and from a subtle trip against the dynamic in the 9/22 common race. On his best day, he has recorded figures on par and has shown class; recorded a B+ OptixGRADE with the MSW win in June as well as in the allowance back in August. 

#1 CAPE TRAFALGAR is worth a mention returning from a productive race in August at SAR freshened off that event and making a return to KEE. 

#8 HIGH BREEZE will be tested with the change in circuit though given a follow off a sneaky good BTL debut last month at LRL. She created adversity lunging out of the gate (TROUBLE_S) and checked while trying to recover making TWO_MOVES advancing again late and continued to GALLOP+ after the wire. 

In a race where a case can be made for every runner in this field: #2 AFFAIR should sit under the radar while on a top effort. She showed run in her debut with TROUBLE last year and closed out 2023 on the SA opening day (12/26) with a legit EX - EXCUSE. The COLD signs along with a PREP returning from the layoff last out at DMR could suggest intent for this second start off the layoff and with M. Smith back aboard. 

#2 FEARLESS SOLDIER still holds "ship and win" bonus eligibility and intent in this second start out in California returning from the layoff. They should benefit from the return race in August while picking up a rider and class change to suggest further intent. 

#1 TAISHAN returns to the $16k level where there were competitive back in July and with a freshening (and weight break) to suggest further intent. Their form returning this season for R. Baltas has remained consistent, fits on par and upgraded returning to SA from a WIDE trip last month as well. 

This is a competitive race to give a look at some runners with buried form: #9 CRAZY CAVALIER recorded a B OptixGRADE on debut with the DQ and following that effort was stepped up to MSW at DMR racing in some "messy" events and logical to return to the MCL level of the competitive initial start; #11 OSAGE CREEK find the change in class for the first time and the DROP appears the right move based on their visuals. Number wise their effort over this course back in June fits on par with many of today's main players and more established runners.

#3 LION KINGDOM needs the right pace (and players the right number) to make his run and work a trip. They could find that here returning from a nice 69-day break and with buried form this season under similar conditions and over this preferred inner turf course. 

#2 SECRET SOUL posted a B OptixGRADE effort at this level back on 9/7 and buried with the 10/5 higher MCL race sitting on top off the pp's to hold value. #10 OUR LADY PEACE returns from a BTL effort on 9/21 compromised with TROUBLE playing a role in the outcome despite showing run from start to finish.

LURE STAKES: 

#8 WAR AT SEA returns in this spot off the three month break and some intent as they pointed to this race last year compromised with a WIDE trip. They wheeled right back following that trip in a week to win a graded stakes at GGF and has spent the first part of 2024 in graded stakes company. The allowance sprint back in June appear a reset and group sprinting and upgraded with the WIDE MOVE back in July.

The runstyle of WAR AT SEA fits today's race shape in what projects to be a swift early pace with the 78 SpeedRate. That speed rate should also suit #3 FLASHIEST one that can often break SLOG though brings a solid late kick - Quad II Square. #9 SEAL TEAM falls into a similar Plot position and shape as they return from the extended 350-day layoff giving the edge in recency to their stablemate #4 SUMTER another Quad II Square.