Handicapper Tips & Picks

Marie G. Krantz Memorial Stakes: 

#13 NANDA DEA takes the step up in class for this second stateside start and still reasonable in stakes company to start out 2025. She was professional under J. Ortiz picking up the allowance win in October at KEE and looks very fit and race ready training into this race shipping in for the connections. 

#7 AUSTERE has been patient waiting for this stakes race scratched from the Pago Hop when that event was moved to the main track last month. AUSTERE brings in current form with the allowance return win off the layoff in November and back class to compete in stakes company from the juvenile/sophomore seasons. 

#6 WAY TO BE MARIE returns from a BTL effort making a CLOSE X_FLOW in the Pago Hop on the main track. The connections had entered MTO in the past and has shown a level of surface versatility should that come back into play.

SILVERBULLETDAY STAKES: 

#1 CHASTEN looks pointed to this race and to start the sophomore season following a dominate/B+ debut win back in November at CD. They have not missed a beat training at FG since that race and to point here. As far as the rail and stretch out in distance they have tactical speed, stamina (the 12/16 drill) and class despite coming from off the pace in the 7f debut and would not be a surprise to see F. Geroux show early speed especially if there is an off-track. Brad Cox does many things well in the game of horse racing and one of those in this particular category (1/2020 to present) of sophomore dirt stakes fillies at the FG with positive $1.16 ROI with 45% winners and 75% in the money.

Trainer K. McPeek shows up with a trio in this race with #2 GOLDEN GAMBLE coming off a place finish in the Untapable Stakes last month likely the fancied of the set. A lot of her race could have been attributed to the paddock behavior, very MANIC and did not appear focused on the day and something to follow here. The other two fillies hold ability as they step up off MSW wins over this course and distance: #6 GOWELLS DELIGHT stepping up to take on winners off a smart debut around two turns and similar for #7 SHE'S A SWEDE catching an off-track with the layoff win just 20-days ago. 

W. Beckman also with a strong hand with a pair returning from different races last month. #3 SIMPLY JOKING showed talent breaking their maiden in stakes company and earned the highest recorded figure in the field in the process though will be tested with distance giving up that experience to others in this field. That includes their stablemate #4 DREXEL HILL one that recorded a BTL and B- OptixGRADE in the Untapable Stakes, the same GRADE as GOLDEN GAMBLE and #5 CALIFORNIA SUNSET despite the change in finishing position. The trip for DREXEL HILL was compromised by the break/TROUBLE_S, race dynamic (Very Slow early) and lacking ROOM SAVED made a CLOSE into that Very Slow early and Slow late pace and continued to GALLOP+ after the wire. 

Sunshine F&M Turf Sprint:

#7 STAY AND SCAM fits as the horse to beat with #5 ANDIAMO RAGAZZA providing value. ANDIAMO RAGAZZA returns to stakes company as well as the turf with buried form. Their first stakes try was during the summer at DMR on the main track in the Fleet Treat Stakes given an EX - EXCUSE on the day. They rebounded in CA Distaff with a B-/WIDE trip and strong 89 speed figure, a number that stacks up with many in this field.

Turf Classic:

#2 NONE ABOVE THE LAW is not the most likely, though a runner to give a look in this spot at longer odds to consider in the mix. Overall, the 7yo might not present as much upside as some of the others in this field, though fits as well as any and a double digit runner to include and not without a chance to pull off the upset. Connections alone should be overlooked in this field - and on that note perhaps a sign of positive intent with M. Smith back aboard; the two paired up with the B/show finish in the Cal Flag stakes and used a similar pattern in that race. 

California Cup Oaks:

#6 TAKE ANOTHER CARD wheels right back from a dominant/B+ debut now three weeks ago and should handle the STRETCH out in distance.

#9 GRATEFUL MY LOVE still a maiden though has held their own in stakes company recording a B in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies in November validating the BTL X_BIAS effort on debut. 

P 4 Volcanic 2 Hasselhoff 1 Smokin Hot Scott

P 6 Doctor Cruise 1 Like A Glove 4 On Time Delivery

P 1 Glenboro 2 Blue Pacific 6 Angostura Hanover

P 10 Master Of Fire 2 Puffs Last Shadow 5 Abovemypaygrade

P 1 Wildcat Star 5 Chiefs Dream Girl 9 Hes Express

P 8 Booming Economy 1 Code Cracker 4 Wheels On Fire

P 5 Codename Cigar Box 9 Century Heineken 6 The Greek Freak

T 6 Steamer 9 Oh Brother 1 Perfect Angel

P 9 Speaker Of Peace 5 Rockabilly Rebel 7 Neptune

P 6 Poseidon Seelster 2 Pacino Hanover 1 No Control

P 6 Beach Cruiser 5 Lookinlikeamillion 4 Hf Pans Shadow

P 5 Batterup Hanover 10 Armor Seelster 3 Wind Blown

2-GONNA BE A QT-Looks like best speed once again

7-SEASIDE STREAKER-Narrowly lost last two times Leonard drove

9-FIRING ONALL FOURS-Been in great form

1-GOT THE GRINS-A factor in all his races

5-ROUND HERE BUZZ-Faces a bit easier with the drop

3-TRUFFLE DOG-Won last; likely attacks late

2-ODDS ON ALPHA MALE-Consistently in the hunt

1-DONTSPANKCHEKY-Lost all chance in last with break at the start

7-DRAGON MY BOOTS-Wired similar last time out

4-STAR MAN-Been in the money in nine of 15

2-JD’S QUEEN LORI-Should find this field somewhat softer

3-ROAN BY DESIGN-Seems like the best speed

4-FANCY RIGGIN-Should fare better from this better post

9-PERLUCKY-Gets back on track with class drop

8-MARY’S MAGIC-Won the last time she raced at this level

7-ANDOVERTHEWINNINGS-Came from far back to win last

6-HIGH HO HEZ SILVER-Long win streak ended in last

3-ROCKET RUSSELL-Better post could equate to better effort

8-MELTON BEACH-Meets easier; broken equip. ruined chances in last

1-FOX VALLEY JASPER-Rail draw and drop makes him much tougher

9-BOARDWALK JACK-Just 2nd from out here in last

4-VERTICAL SPEED-Finished 3rd last two this level

4-AUTUMN WINDS-Won last 3; can do it again

7-JAMMIN JAMIN-Ohio invader rates a look

3-ALLY BABA-Meets a much easier group than in last

7-GALLANT ATTRIBUTE-Usually right there

6-PETE AND REPEAT-Might prevail with driver switch

8-PONDA BEACH-As fast as any in here

7-FOX VALLEY MONACO-Drops to the right level

3-SPIRIT SHADOW-Beat top choice in last

2-BAY BRUTE-Oosting aboard; beware

10-LOTTIE’S WEB-Won last 2; can overcome tough post

4-WISHUWERGEAR-Been knocking at the door

3-RIVER GIRL-Finishes fast; can get there

5-WHO’ZZZ THIS SKY-Was in too tough in last

9-THATSWHATSUP-Dangerous speed

6-ERNIE THE MOOSS-Stalks then pounces late

2-SAILOR SAM-Fastest of these if he fires

6-REAL COOL COLE-In tougher but won 4 of last 5

8-FOX VALLEY PRESLEY-Gets a lot of paychecks

9-TIME TO RYDE-Won 3 of last 4; good form for months

3-RMISSASHLEE-Maybe best of the speed

10-RK’S TONI-Comes flying late

#3 CULLEN J put forward a B effort on 11/15 (5f) though also showed NO_FINISH and stretches out an extra furlong. Based on the others with experience they could take pace pressure.

#5 HOTHEAD physically appears surface versatile moving to the turf today for a HOT barn/rider. They had TROUBLE on debut and projected to IMPROVE however has not shown progression. 

FTS #1 DAWKINS presents as a turf runner and longer bodied type noted with the rail. They appeared well-prepared for this debut and the barn is capable with the right runner to pop first out. 

#9 DAY AT THE TRACK has shown progression race-to-race and not with adversity in the first two MSW starts as they make the class change here. They had TROUBLE on debut and again with the WIDE trip over the DMR turf in November. The "trips" along with the finishing positions and surface switch should hold the double digit ML assignment.