Handicapper Tips & Picks

#2 MONGOLIAN MAX appeared claimed for this meet and pointed to this spot. They find closer to a lateral change in class with the barn change making this a reasonable move coming off a B- CLOSE into a Slow early pace in that most recent 6/13 start. 

#5 TRUSTY RUSTY holds a win over this course, distance and level going back to last season in the 9/19 start. Since then they have held their form and figures while stepped up to remain protected, those factors playing a role in just coming up short on the win end. Looking at the OptixPLOT there is not much between TRUSTY RUSTY and #7 READY TO POUNCE as individuals though likely to see a bigger shift in odds on the board between the two. 

Intent should follow #1 BLAMETHEGOODTIMES as they fit this condition only after running for the optional tag in the 6/7 freshening. They bring that intent for this starter condition as well as fitness making a late MOVE and working steadily since with the rider change to C. Demuro. 

#1 WESTERN AVENUE could come down more to trip than other factors as they fit on class, speed and current form. They earned a flow upgrade running under today's N3 claiming conditions over the turf on 6/1 and impacted with TROUBLE still showed run to finish in a four horse BLANKET at the wire in the five horse field on 6/12. Surface wise they appear versatile without that being a knock and just comes down to finding that right group and trip for the win. Similar could be stated for their stablemate #8 LEFT HAND MAN one that not only needs those other things going for them but returning to a new top effort and turn things around from the two starts coming back from the long layoff this year. 

#2 INVINCIBLE remains on the dirt and perhaps a clever move when isolating their two most recent main track starts they recorded some of their higher figures. With that said, some of that could have been circumstantial given the trips and dynamic in those events. 

The angles for #6 TOUGHNESS are there though the default mode of the public will lean on the trainer name in this case and ignore the "every other" pattern and turf-to-dirt, second off move that has been effective on the win end. 

There are a lot of hurdles in this race from the field size, draw and many returning from layoffs. Perhaps even the most interesting, the lack of real 5f turf sprint "specialist" in this field shortening up even from 6f does not always (or often) translate. Perhaps the edge on that front to #3 TEJON PASS keying off the 8/17 start last year, a 4th place result though a B- OptixGRADE and their highest recorded figures in the process.

#5 KANGAROO COURT could be positioned to attempt that move shortening up and from showing speed in the return layoff races this year, including the BOS on 6/15. They debuted with a strong figures at 5f dirt and wheeled back at 5.5f for a dominant second start MSW win both races at DMR in 2022. 

#9 THE RABBI was dominant breaking their maiden on the turf sprinting last May. They were one of the six that was SLOG and the pattern of SLOG followed in the two route starts ultimately landing an abbreviated three start season with the layoff following the July event last summer. 

This is a competitive N2 without a strong standout "horse to beat" in the group and many contenders. #3 MONDEGO upgraded in this second start back off the layoff and from a BTL/B- in that 6/8 start making a middle move (after the SLOG) and CLOSE all X_FLOW into a Very Slow early pace. They should have an honest pace here given the complexion of this field that includes front running (Q1) stablemate, #4 GENIUS JIMMY and #3 MONDEGO capable of showing more tactical speed as they shift to a Q1 Square today. 

#5 DRULINER with the benefit of experience coming back for this second start and following a BTL debut on 6/14. They were compromised out of the gate with a SLOG/TROUBLE_S before putting in a strong CLOSE and GALLOP+. It is encouraging following the start first out the next two published works both from the gate working to clean up some of that habit and perhaps more professional from the blocks this time around. 

#8 AMERICAN PRIVILEGE earned a follow from their debut last November making a WIDE CLOSE X_FLOW. #3 UNBINDING capable to IMPROVE off effort in their stateside debut on 6/8. With TACTIC- following the SLOG they made a WIDE MOVE with the top two finishers together at the wire. #5 FOR ARROGATE has shown improving figures and following the "second off" pattern that allowed for  B OptixGRADE in the MTH race closing out 2024. The connections had considered running a week after the 6/7 return entered and scratched from the San Juan Capistrano (G3) - an interesting spot and timing and reasonable to waiting and pick this spot early in the meet. 

#1 KAWACATOOSE could present a slight class edge as this marks their first start at the lower conditional claiming level, a level the others have already run at. Some value is still required with the pattern of layoff lines including the slight 50-day break they return from here in this second start of the season, a flow upgrade making a RUSH and PRESSED in a Fast early pace with the 3-5 chalk winner, Souper Success rallying from off the pace. Today's race shape still brings the same Sun Contention, though a lower SpeedRate, 15 today vs 34 in that May event.  

#4 MISTY EYED clearly has their "gate issues" and impacted significantly with the ungraded TROUBLES+ and NO_PUSH on 6/14. Heading into that event, they were upgraded with the change in class and form from the 5/10 start (WIDE CLOSE IMPROVE and despite a similar outcome on 5/31 improved their figure and did so with a NO_PUSH and strong GALLOP+ - both events at the higher 40MOC level recording C+ OptixGRADES to transfer on class here.