Handicapper Tips & Picks

#1 ALTO ROAD fits as a capable type though is dropping in class of a win and has the recent layoff lines as a change in timing to consider along with a shorter number. The rail draw in here could form their hands to show early speed and take pace pressure from the runners towards their outside. That includes their  H. Rodrigues stablemate #4 BREAKING NEWS. They also find the class drop, though more reasonable than questionable as following the win on 5/1 and racing protected in starter allowance company three weeks ago, the higher par on 6/1 return to claiming company where they have been competitive in the other starts this season.

Looking at the Plot, #5 HURTS SO BAD has a similar Plot position/shape to ALTO ROAD and projects higher of the two in the wagering to make a value case on that front. The move to an outer post following the recent three starts could be a positive for this individual. That includes the 5/29 start under similar conditions noting the trip, TROUBLE_S and in TRAFFIC SHUFFLE back and put in a strong CLOSE for place.

#2 CHRISTMAS PRESENT has plenty of races that fit to compete with this group including a B- OptixGRADE at the level on 4/17, their first start back off the layoff. They were WARM, heavily washed out on 5/29, a big change for them physically and might have been a sign that was not their day and something to look for here. The “bunched” appearance on the Plot could be favorable toward their runstyle and looking for that Sun Contention to run at.

#2 DEMAND RANSOM could present early speed here as well and the manner of their more competitive races to date. With that said, they lack an edge over the other rivals in a similar position on the Plot and current speed figures sit below today’s par. 

#3 REALTA presents value in this field finding sneaky class relief off their races in May and numbers that fit on par. Their runstyle should fit today’s race looking at the Plot and pace contention in front of them, though not far off that first flight to look for first run. #5 JOYZELLA finds a similar position on Surface distance and should benefit from the class DROP returning form the turn route two weeks ago.

The class drop should move up #2 BABE IN THE WOODS and following an every other pattern should be sitting on a peak effort while in this second start of the cycle. The 6f distance might not ultimately be their ideal, however capable in the right spot with the right trip.

The redraw of this race shifts the returning #1 LALY from post 8 to the rail and as a Q1 Square could present a pace advantage up front with the shortest distance around the track. The Plot position and shape could be flattered by their second start when catching the BIAS and LONE lead on the day.

LALY brings in early speed that can be effective though still likely have to contest that pace with #7 LIONS LAW and #6 TWO TIMER looking to establish position from the outside. The redraw finds TWO TIMER shifting from post 2 and like 6/1 racing as the lone sophomore in the field. With that said, TWO TIMES does hold recency and can be upgraded off their form this season coming back from the B- OptixGRADE on 6/1.

TWO TIMER dueled with the eventual BOS winner Crystal Snow one that was able to hold for the win and photo with the closing #4 CALLAS at the wire. CALLAS had a longshot look in that race off buried form and the run 25-days ago compromised at the break with the SLOG TROUBLE_S putting in a strong CLOSE and GALLOP+. Also worth noting on 6/1 TWO TIMER raced as the lone sophomore in the field that day and again is the lone 3yo here. 

#8 CHINATOWN GIRL earned a follow from their debut earlier this month. In running they had TROUBLE_S and from there on hold (TACTIC-) showing a MOVE while not asked for their best on the day and present upside from the experience and the changes shifting to this circuit.

#7 TAKE THE HEAT projected to move up on TURF and did just that on 6/12. Heading into that MSW race there was less concern about the surface switch than the class level and showed a lot more run (especially GALLOP+ out past the wire) than the running line and finishing position suggests.

#1 TRINITYTHREEINONE makes some changes here and going back to last year when starting on the turf showed a strong GALLOP in the sprint debut and class weakness/DROP for the second start. That combination of changes comes forward here along with progressive numbers and fitness from the races this season. #2 POLSKA SUE also has shown improvement on this circuit and the move to the turf. From the sprint races drawn inside and stretch out in distance, they are likely to be assertive and look to show speed and presence felt on the front end. 

#5 DIAMONDS JOY follows a positive swing in their current “every other” form cycle pattern and overall fits this race checking the ABOVE boxes on Speed, Plot and Class. The find class relief form the recent starts and open $12.5k claiming condition last month. They bring upside form that trip/TACTIC- caught WIDE chasing on hold up close to a Very Fast early pace going two turns on the turf. The front wraps were also added in that race. O. Mojica takes over today and has been aboard in the past up for the maiden win as well as the claiming win last September when picked up for their current connections.

As noted the ABOVE on Plot and when looking at the race shape paired with the draw she can track outside the early pace (#2 LITTLE SASS, #6 ANNA FTER MIDNIGHT, #7 RUNNERS HEAT)  look for first run. That first run over #3 WRITTEN CONSENT as well as #1 BELLA FRANCESCA one that probably could prefer an outer post though at the same time has shown improvement number wise as a 4yo and new face on this circuit could find the right level to compete.  

While #7 DARK VINTAGE ultimately might prefer a STRETCH in distance, a class edge on the turf is tough to ignore. They bring in upside from the higher level turf sprint allowance following the extended 578-day layoff with a higher par and noted near blanket finish with the top six together at the wire. The timing also a further positive given the time away and now right back in two weeks as a positive for these top connections.

DARK VINTAGE should find pace to chase given the complexion of this field and primary pacesetter #9 MARTINI MAN making their return in this spot. They land here fand perhaps with some intent with a scratch on 6/11 from an N1 allowance race at CBY and while similar par and condition, the purse here is $8k higher.

#6 RAVIN’S RANSOM also projects to show early speed as was the path to break their maiden LONE on debut and given a X_FLOW upgrade from 5/17 when fractious in the gate forced to RUSH and NO_PUSH late. Stablemate #1 VIA DEL CORSO returns to allowance company and with the connections off the claiming win and no takers three weeks ago. While they will be tested to transfer their form to the turf they were not entered MTO in that 6/5 race and perhaps the bigger hurdle than surface is the test to improve number wise as well as class. Their runstyle and inside draw is a positive. While W. Rodriguez was aboard for the recent win (and three other wins that day, while also dropping the stick late, which clearly was not needed) A. Centeno was aboard for the maiden score taking back over here. 

#1 MANAGING MISHIEF return from a legitimate TROUBLE+ trip over the turf on 5/29 that trip playing a bigger role in the outcome than the surface switch. Despite the adversity she showed a MOVE and interest to record a B- OptixGRADE in the 5^th place outcome. As she wheels back in here they bring further upside from the 2024 season and even the allowance in April at Oaklawn taking KICKBACK that day – something to avoid (and perhaps the reason to try back on grass) here likely showing early speed while they draw the rail – less options than when drawing outside for the redraw.

#5 FIRST HILL also taking the same path as MANAGING MISCHIEF back to the main track and does hold form under similar conditions surface and distance from last year. Based on placement and race shape there are factors to consider that she has been up against it (class, dynamic) and unable to show her best playing a role in the outcome at Oaklawn and here last month. As shown on Surface/Distance she could also contest the lead, and the pair keep #6 MARY’S BOON honest – one  that was able to RUSH clear to a LONE lead racing with the track profile (BIAS) and worked HARD with the new top speed figure recorded.

The outside draw should assist trip with #7 COMMISIONER GULCH sitting ABOVE on Speed and Plot while making her return turn Hawthorne with progressive efforts this year and now in the third start of the form cycle. She should establish first run on closers #3 DEVIL and #4 SALLY’S SURPRISE sitting as Q4 Squares. The Plot position is not as ideal for #2 SAMARITA though could also find her way back to a top in this third start of the cycle and a competitive type overall. 

#4 CLOEY ATTACK appears well intended with the racing this season moving up with each start at FP and now in the third start off the layoff and returning to the turf, arguably their preferred surface. She held her own in the FG sprints though was not at the right level in the earlier season allowance races finding the drop and the win on 2/28 that conditional claiming event holding a similar par to today’s race with a slight rise in purse.

#1 EMPRICAL VIEW is worth a look and getting creative with. As far as class and speed she has those boxes checked both on the grass and from the KY allowance conditions starting off her career and before the recent layoff. Her effort last June (prior to the most recent long layoff) was impacted by TROUBLE and projected to IMPROVE off those in running visuals. While she has not shown that this year, she might have needed the start and as a PREP while racing X_FLOW on 5/1, a race won by her stablemate Vegas Condo and noted DELAY along with the rail draw wheeling back three weeks later on 5/22.

When this race was initially carded for last Sunday most of the field remains though one addition (and one subtraction Spare A Dime) of #8 SPINNING GLORY creating a pair for L. Rivelli in this race with #7 SMOKED making her turf debut. Overall the two bring in similar figures and front running (Q1) runstyle and the complexion of this field could find others also looking for the lead to deal with. The individual separation gives SPINNING GLORY the edge on surface experience while SMOKED has the benefit of races against winners.

#9 MISS MIKOS also shifts first time to the turf though could be a beneficial surface switch especially following the 6/5 start (and her open length pacesetting winner, Mary’s Boon) taking KICKBACK behind horses while racing over a course tough to make up ground. 

The Sun Contention paired with the higher 50 SpeedRate should assist runners from off the pace: #5 WILDWOOD’S WARRIOR falls clearly in that position as a Q4 Square and projecting a move forward wheeling back in two weeks from the 6/8 start impacted by WEATHER and trip chasing inside/SAVED and in hand/NO_PUSH not asked for run on the day.

The Plot position also upgrades #7 PERFUMER coming in from FP on the stretch out for the first time since last season. They picked up the win last April with a similar type race shape noting a Fire Contention and honest 38 SpeedRate. #1 VANISKY was compromised at the break and with the trip still recording an honest effort with the B- OptixGRADE despite the 4^th place outcome and appears intent with J. Loveberry back aboard and likely better conditions than the WEATHER impacted course earlier this month doing them no favors with vision impairment on the left side. 

As far as the first flight, #8 ICE AXE could be forced from the outside (a shift from the rail from Sunday) and #2 JET FLIGHT (one that was drawn post 8, outside) moving inside should run their race, though still could be tested to contest the pace though bring in form and the edge when looking at the Plot over some of their “Circle” Q1/3 rivals.

The one change for the redraw comes from trainer E. Hughes substituting #3 ANCIENT MAN for Son of Grace where ANCIENT MAN brings in current form while stretching back out and from the much too short 5.5f sprint two weeks ago when putting in a CLOSE and GALLOP+ and upgraded on Standard. 

#7 BOURBON STREET BOY finds a softer change in par and purse presenting as a slightly new face on that front. In addition, they can be given a slight flow upgrade as part of the early pace in the recent CD starts. Further intent comes into play as the connection have been looking for a race on this circuit as well as the added ground and turf noting they were a late scratch from the 6/8 $20k MCL event when the weather hit and moved the races to the main track.

Both M. Perez runners #5 BLACK RUSSIAN and #11 MONEY AGENT can be upgraded here. MONEY AGENT had been racing into shape and found their top form on 5/11, not a one off and should carry here based on prior season races. BLACK RUSSIAN should appreciate the STRETCH out from the 5/11 common race where they showed their run past the wide with a strong GALLOP+ and should hold fitness from the races this season and WIDE trip on the day.

Also from the 6/8 common race: #6 CASH APP MIKE still must show where they fit on class though the STRETCH In distance while on the turf is favorable for this individual. #10 DYNO WAR does not hold a class edge though brings in buried form and TURF visuals along with intent for the added ground staying in the 6/8 off-the-turf event to keep up conditioning.

The lone FTS #8 KISS MY CHARMS is in strong hands with O. Mojica aboard. They will given up experience on that front in contrast to the others though fit that “new face” if looking for that in an established group. This IN-bred has been training at Hawthorne and despite a gap from 5/25 to 6/12 looked to make up some fitness with the mile move.