Handicapper Tips & Picks

#1 FACE THE FUTURE makes a belated second start and earned a follow from their Hawthorne debut back in June. They made a positive PRERACE+ appearance in the paddock then lost their race WASTED a lot of energy waiting until post time (post time drag noted) that translated to a TROUBLE_S (many in the field had legit trouble and contact at the break) then made a WIDE MOVE an overall BTL effort in the distant place finish behind a well-intended open length pacesetting winner (B+) called Murdock from the L. Rivelli barn, one that has yet to run back.  

#12 C'EST MAGNIFIQUE should be live in this spot and hold the ML given the recent running lines paired with the far outside post. Their form back at Hawthorne fits on par especially the 8/4 B OptixGRADE and 82 speed figure as one of the higher recorded numbers looking at this field in the past 3 starts. The 11/22 race might have been a PREP finding a race on the circuit and showed run making a WIDE MOVE after the SLOG and overall visuals to suggest IMPROVE. 

ML favorite #1 AGATINO has consistent figures to support that role and is an upgrade from 10/14 trip racing WIDE X_FLOW. Overall their current form fits though lands in a contentious spot paired with projected shorter odds.

Following the trend of runners from the Hawthorne meet: #2 SIR PISTOLERO returns fresh after two subtle trips in Stickney. They looked to use the 9/26 race as a PREP especially with the race moved to the main track, the addition of front wraps and the race won by their stablemate, King Of The Palace. They had a look returning to the turf (with the wraps removed) on 10/10 though caught in TRAFFIC impacted their outcome. 

#4 SPUN NOT STIRRED turned in a BTL effort on debut though exposed (DROP) in their second start stepped up to MSW company. The same race to race pattern follows some others in this field including #1 TOPPERS AT SEASIDE one that could look to take the field gate-to-wire from the rail under E. Maldonado though might find company with the stretch out runners - a scenario to assist SPUN NOT STIRRED from off the pace and their tendency to break SLOG. 

#3 J DUTTON could be flying under the radar for their connections and upgraded as they make their second start on this circuit getting a race in at DMR last month and that PREP along with the STRETCH out in distance should assist here. 

6-FOX VALLEY RAMIRO-Needed last after lengthy layoff

7-FOX VALLEY TYREL-Another who needed race after vacation

8-BULL MARKET-Likely makes up ground late

4-LOU’S MIRACLE-Outclosed “Scorecard” for the last win

5-SCORECARD LIL RED-Loves coming from far back

2-LOUS MAGNUM-Dangerous speed if he stays flat

4-OMAHA STORM CHASER-Good form; gets Casey tonight

2-LUCKEY STORMIN-Just missed as odds-on favorite

5-NOBLE PRIZE-Possible late upset

6-FOXMAN-Just beat these; can do it again

4-MAZIN BLAZIN-Barely lost last couple

3-SADIES ART-Hoosier ship-in deserves a look

6-DREAM-Guns them down late again

3-ITTY BITTY SECRET-Dead heated for the win in last

8-JIMMY LAI-been in good form for months

5-HEAVY PRESSURE-Can take them at the wire

4-SHOCK WAVE-been meeting a bit tougher in Indiana

1-STREET BOY-Has a chance to lead throughout

3-RK’S TONI-Meets far easier foes

1-ROCKNROLL DAKOTA-Break prior to start cost her

6-MSGRANT TWENTYFOUR-Best of the rest

8-FRONTIER FANTASY-Won last despite break at the start

6-JEZIBEL MOOSS-From way back

2-LITTLEOLDME-Improves off needed race

4-WHO’ZZZ THIS SKY-Been better with Lasix; won last 2

2-FRED’S FINALE-Meets easiest in months

3-FOX VALLEY BOXER-Contends for lead throughout

STARLET STAKES(G2): 

#5 TENMA will look to rebound from the Oak Leaf (G2) their first start around two turns and with a rider change, J. Hernandez landing here. Going back to her winning debut in August, physically appeared to handle the STRETCH out and followed up that effort with the 7f DMR Debutante (G1) win showing class/GRIT to overcome the TROUBLE_S with TWO_MOVES. That type of effort perhaps played a role in the recent stakes as well as the blinkers, a short addition with the removal for this race. As far as timing she has been freshened two months (scratched from the Desi Arnaz) to be back on track here. 

RING THE BELL STAKES: 

#1 HAPPY IS A CHOICE appears well intended in this spot opening weekend at Oaklawn Park over a course and distance they are familiar with looking for that first local stakes win. They held their own in the G3 Count Fleet and showed their class with the GRIT-ty stakes win last out at CD. They are listed as the 2-1 ML favorite though this is a deep group of seven where not any would be any surprise. That type of scenario makes it tough to take too short of a number though noted as some drifting up from the assigned ML can be projected

It would even not be much surprise for #6 GULFPORT to wind up favored. They showed a ton of class starting out his career as a juvenile and had some setbacks making just one start as a sophomore though has returned consistent in this four year old campaign. Overall they have benefit from favorable trips though with the outside draw and complexion of this field, they could find another one here.

#5 RUN CLASSIC could get overlooked given the recent running line and finishing position and presents value on a horse that is a contender. He has shown up competitive in graded stake sprints and carried his game to multiple tracks and surfaces. That includes a start at Oaklawn back in 2022 in the Tinsel Stakes a 9f distance that has since proven further than his ideal and appears at home sprinting.

D. Van Dyke comes into town to ride one horse on the entire card, #7 OF A REVOLUTION.  The two paired up with the allowance win back in August at GP and depart that southern track base to make the trip to Arkansas to return and run in this sprint stakes is too intriguing to dismiss.