Handicapper Tips & Picks

MRS REVERE STAKES (G2):

#7 MINOUSHKA was impressive (A-) showing class to overcome some self-inflicted and trip adversity in allowance company last month at Keeneland. The connections are showing confidence with the step up in class and the timing noted as they did a lot of running (tough to pull up in addition to trip) and has 50-days between starts. Trip wise they came from off the pace, against the Slow early/late pace and profile though noted a SLOG and perhaps could sit closer though the early pace should be honest given the complexion of this field. 

The subtle change in class is noted for #2 BUCHU exiting G1 events where they have held their own though not quite on the "winning" level despite a BTL back in August at Del Mar the Grades sit on the C+/B- range a touch short while in G1 company. The change suggests intent finding this G2 event while on a positive swing of an every other pattern to present a top effort. 

#1 DANCING N DIXIE also worked a mention racing X_BIAS in the Valley View (G2) last month and has form B/B- efforts at the G2/G3 level from the races earlier this year. 

HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP (G2):

#8 NINEELEVENTURBO has been given a freshening since an EX - EXCUSE in the Carey Memorial last out at Hawthorne. The trip was compromised with TROUBLE making a WIDE MOVE against an inside favoring course and in hand (NO_PUSH) late. There was some concern heading into that race following a big effort in the $500k Tapit Stakes where they appeared pointed and turned in a game GRIT place recorded a B OptixGRADE and intent questioned (as well as trip) in the Carey Memorial and they lack those concerns here. 

Trainer P. D'Amato has three entered in this spot: The distance suits #4 DIVIN PROPOS wheeling back from a less than ideal TRAFFIC TROUBLE trip in part to rider TACTIC- and makes sense to return with a rider change as U. Rispoli takes over today to suggest intent. The 12f distance is a concern for #9 BALNIKHOV though will note a respectable BTL effort in the Del Mar Handicap (G2) back in August. #5 ROCKEMPEROR has the edge looking at back class, though on current form needs to step up and perhaps the reason for the rider change.  

Current form and the HOT J. Thomas barn sides with #11 TRULY QUALITY one that has shown ability since their debut and brings in confidence after pairing wins and new top speed figures, though today's event holds a higher par and should get a lot of attention of those recent noted factors sitting on top off the pp's and could land in underlay territory. 

#3 LEOPARDESS is the clear value in the field at the assigned 8-1 ML. They form is buried and competition at the level since returning from the layoff in June. Trips and ground loss/WIDE have played a factor in the end result. Trip and pace adversity was present in the recent 10/13 start  along with the TACTIC- (rider change today) chasing inside/SAVED TRAFFIC making a MOVE X_FLOW and recorded a B- OptixGRADE to upgrade the finishing position as well as speed figure. 

#7 NEWS AT TEN is a contender right back under similar conditions from the B place finish last month and going back to 8/17 with a BTL show finish over this course and N1X condition. They present value as the second choice on the ML in the face of #9 TERRY'S BOY on that returns giving up recency and stepping up in class, factors that require price compensation that does not project to be there should the ML hold. 

#3 FORGIVING SPIRIT has select races that fit as a contender and experience over this course and 5f distance with a level of competition consistency. This race marks the second start off the layoff and the connections scratching from a statebred $20k N1X to run here instead a change in race date that allows for them to pair with J. Hernandez.

Worth getting creative in this spot #5 ALLURING making their third start back off the layoff and second start at the route distance. The STRETCH was projected following the 6.5f Senorita (G3) and there was intent keying off two 8f events over the summer prior to landing in that 9/2 allowance - a race that had adversity (TACTIC- TRAFFIC) for a COLD barn in what had "PREP" signals. They improved all around on 9/28 and should hold some fitness from that WIDE trip despite the two month break into this race. 

Looking at OptixPLOT the Fire Contention and higher 73 SpeedRate present conditions that suit #9 WORD PLAY as a Large Q4 Square to make their late closing run. 

Trip can often be a liability for the rider aboard #8 MAD CHATTER one that has recorded adversity such as the TRAFFIC TROUBLE two weeks ago with races to compete and clear the maiden level in this group.

#2 BARONS BLITZ brings in form from their races this season and upgraded to the MCL level. The figure back on 10/25 fits on par and given a flow upgrade tracking behind a Very Fast early pace in the MSW event on 11/17.

#6 FOUR K FORCE returns from a layoff giving up recency a trade for price compensation. Their form fits at this level and upgraded from the running lines and finishing positions this season. They projected to IMPROVE off the 5/5 sprint and did just that on the two week turnaround on 5/19. They returned to face raining WEATHER conditions on 6/21 and upgraded with the outside draw and up close to the early pace in a race shape that set up the top two to stalk from off the pace. 

6-BEN RACING-Meets easier for blazing barn

2-FOX VALLEY MONACO-Can awaken with drop and improved post

8-STREET BOY-Competitive speed and top driver

3-FRONTIER MARSHALL-Meets easier; fastest of these

5-JIMMY JACKPOT-Barely beaten vs similar

4-GRITTY GATOR-Been in the hunt all year

2-BEACH COWBOY-Didn’t fire at odds-on; maybe today

1-DRAGON PERFECT-Just surprised similar group

3-HI HO HEZ SILVER-Won last 2; can do it again

5-LUCKEY STORMIN-Seems logical with class drop

2-AUNT PERCILLA-Looks like controlling speed

7-BODY ARMOR-Barn cold but drop helps

1-GONNA BE A QT-Impressively wired the field in only 2nd start

2-GENEVIEVE’S WORLD-Just beat similar; can do it again

4-CUPID’S REVENGE-Often close against this type

2-FROZEN SHARK-Poor form but invader takes needed drop

7-HOO NIEN N-Broke in last; gets Casey today

4-BUNKERHILL PHIL-Better post and easier company

7-TRUFFLE DOG-Sharp winner this level can repeat

8-INTIMIDATION-Can finish fastest of all

2-TOWN GOSSIP-Can stretch win streak to three

1-MARSHALL MALONE-Last was the “key”; ready today

8-COPPER TEEN-Drops from Opens; wake up call

5-A MAJOR OMEN-in money last two this level

3-PONDA BEACH-Been much improved with Lasix

10-GOTTA GO GRAM-Meets easiest field in months

8-GALLANT ATTRIBUTE-Right there every start this year