Handicapper Tips & Picks

If memory serves me correctly, 2-BIG D was being pretty well played a couple weeks ago but was a late scratch. He popped a bullet drill since that almost-race. Liked him on that day. Like his again today. 6-BIAGODDESS is a filly meeting the boys but she ran well in her lone start and the filly that finished second to her third, came right back to wire her next field. Experience is almost always a plus. 3-THIS BEAU KNOWS has been training well for his debut and had been working in company with top pick prior to that runner’s almost start. 1-ELMORE is bred to love the lawn. His rider has won with six of his 12 local mounts this meet. 5-GOGH has had a couple breaks in training but should still be ready for savvy connections. 4-THIEVER has solid drills, including a couple bullets, but get the feeling that he’s going to need a race. 

Very solid race for a $10k claimer. The five-furlong distance makes it especially interesting. I’m thinking that 4-FAITHFUL RULER will be the first to the lead. At this short distance he just might hold it together. 3-ZOOMBIE invades. He’s coming off a narrow victory in Indiana. However, he wasn’t able to catch top choice two races ago at this same distance. 2-GRAND HIDEAWAY has been very consistent. His rider will have him tracking the pace, hoping the top pair lock in a speed duel and tire late. Just throw out the last race of 6-NAGY AND THE BEARS. He was going to be severely outclassed in a turf stakes anyway but any chance he might have had evaporated when the race was moved to the main track. But, at this level, he’s a very real threat. 

6-SHARP ATTACK looked sharp breaking her maiden in last. She was making her second start for this barn and her second start of the year. Obviously meets better when taking on winners but like the tenacity she showed in both of her 2025 races. She might have to fight for the lead but think she can put the rest of the speed away and finish with something left. 3-SAFECRACKER SUE drops in class, turns back in distance, and moves back to the main track. Forget last on the lawn, she was in far better form on the main track prior. Could bounce back in a big way. 5-SHE STOPPED SHORT was in much too tough in her first start against winners. It’s been three months since that race but she has been training well and she’s dropping to a reasonable level. Guessing she’ll be attacking late.  

1-GUNNY SACK has had two turf races and ran well in each, finishing second both times. Goes from maiden claimers into a maiden special but also moves from open company into Illinois breds. Slim pick in a wide-open race. 7-FRONTIER MARSHALL ran well in every start this year. He’ll be making his turf debut but runners from this barn usually excel on the lawn. Probable favorite could deserve it. 6-JAKES CHANNEL is likely to go right to the lead. He led most of the way in last but gave it up late. Might hold on longer this time.  

7-MAASAI WARRIOR could surprise. His recent main track form leaves a lot to be desired but he was racing well against far better than these on Louisiana turf earlier this year. With the move back to the lawn he just might wake up. 5-TEMPER TANTRUM just never fired as the favorite in last. However, this late runner won his prior two starts. He does look like the one to beat but still a bit concerned about last. 1-VITALE just dominated in last in a race originally scheduled for turf. However, he had been in good form on the weeds prior to that race. Think he likes the front end but he is going to have to deal with some other speed in this field. Still, he might last. 

The pair of runners trained by Michele Boyce looks awfully tough. Wouldn’t be surprised if they completed the exacta. Only a neck separated them at the wire in last, finishing second and fourth in a blanket finish. I’m going with 6-BUTTONS AND LACE. She might be light on experience but might have the most upside. 7-RIETTA owns better tactical speed but she might have to fight a bit to get clear. 4-SUPRISE ME AGAIN finished directly between the top pair in that race. She went off as a longshot in that spot but expect her to draw far more action today.