Handicapper Tips & Picks

#4 MR. MACHUPICCHU finds some class relief and should be key overall. Even with the class drop moving to claiming company two weeks ago they found a higher par with the open $16 claiming level, recording a B- OptixGRADE and figure on the higher end of today's par. 

Higher odds should hold on #2 WINNING PATRIOT due to speed figures on the lower side. With that said and certainly must run faster than they have so far to win, they are lightly raced and number wise have already improved with each start. That includes their return on 8/2 taking on winners for the first time and with a legitimate EX - EXCUSE as they were unprepared at the start GATE/TROUBLES+ from the rail making a WIDE MOVE. There was intent despite being compromised taking wagering support under similar conditions to today, bet down to co-favored 3.2-1 from a 10-1 ML. 

The lone runner with experience #4 MISSTRIAL stumbled out of the gate and following the TROUBLE_S made a WIDE RUSH X_FLOW before NO_KEEP providing some excuse on the day. 

#1 BANZAI BETTY has shown a pattern of breaking a step slog in the morning, though also with legitimate early speed. That is the type of trip that should be projected here especially with the inside. #6 HEAVEN'S BOLT showed more speed (with contact out of the gate) on 8/10 though one that might prefer to track and finish as they have shown when outside working and could be the case here with the draw. 

The McCarthy pair training together with #3 MOLLY E getting the better of #5 DEFINITELY PRBABLE on 8/10 and the ML appears to be reflecting that drill, previously worked heads up from the gate. 

#6 GO GEMMA is a value alternative in this group. they bring in 5f tur fsprint form and runstyle versatility where they can show tactical speed and pass horses. The barn has had success this season at this surface/distance, bringing this one in with a pair of local works and with a lateral change in class to suggest intent. 

#3 PRIMO took the class drop last out and while some intent could have been in play with that move, the surface/distance perhaps less than their ideal and no question the EX - EXCUSE worthy trip TROUBLE+ MOVE X_FLOW impacted the overall outcome. They wheel right back similar level, a lower par from the prior Tapeta sprints this season and making a rider change. 

#1 GOOD AS GONE finds some subtle changes along with buried form in the starts this season. Class wise they landed with a much higher par in May/June compromised on that front while to their credit recorded consistent figures and C+/B- OptixGRADES. Returning on 7/31 from a slight freshening they had a TROUBLE WIDE trip on 7/31 and overall visuals to suggest STRETCH. There was intent to race at today's surface/distance scratched from an event on 7/12 and going back to last year they recorded consistent efforts and numbers - efforts that should translate competitively here given the higher class and par in those 2024 starts.