Handicapper Tips & Picks

1-AYE BAY BAY is far from a strong choice but she has had a race which should be to her benefit. Has a decent turf pedigree and top-notch connections. 6-MOLLY THE CAT seems to have slightly better drills than her stablemate. Both are making their debut but this filly might be slightly better prepared. 3-SPIRITED ANNE, the other Rivelli-trained runner, has been training well.  

2-SHAMEN SEZ seems most likely. He has pretty good speed and he finished in the money in his last four starts while facing rivals similar to these. 5-GABE'S CHOICE meets winners for the first time. He broke his maiden versus Illinois maiden specials in his last start and has been training steadily since that June race. Starting at this level is surprising. Wouldn’t be surprised if he scratched. 3-BYWORD drops and turns back in distance. His speed figures suggest that he’s finally at the right level and will be competitive against this group. 

8-XPRESSIR is entered for the main track only and figures to be tough if this race does come off the grass. He’s meeting plenty of others with some degree of speed but think he’ll put them away and have plenty left for the race down the lane. 2-ZOOMBIE seems like the on the lawn. He’s been running well against better since getting claimed earlier in the year. His two dirt races were dull so really doesn’t expect him to run if this race gets moved to the main track but one never knows. 1-MAHONEY ROAD never won at the distance on the weeds but he finished in the money all four times and he sports some of the highest speed figures at the distance. 5-NEON DEION fits well on either surface. He might not be as quick as top choice but he’ll never be too far back. 7-NAGY AND THE BEARS takes a much-needed class drop while moving to a different barn. He’s been splitting better fields. Can awaken against these.  

Don't know how long she’ll last on the lead but think 5-LOST SUNSET will be the one setting the early fractions. She never recovered after a poor start in last but if she gets away cleanly today, she has a chance to lead throughout. 6-A REAL HERO doesn’t possess a big closing move but she is capable of wearing down her rivals. If top choice does face a lot of early pressure, this mildly closing mare could take advantage. 3-HIALEAH HOTTIE is another with good zip. Stablemate of A Real Hero could ensure a contested early pace setting things up for her teammate.

9-MORE THAN A DIVA doesn’t seem to hold a huge speed advantage but she once again looks the quickest of these. She used good speed to wire the field in last on the turf but she’s also been plenty quick on dirt, in case this race gets moves to the main track. 1-UNION DOLLY has been competing in longer races but the turn back in distance could be just what the doctor ordered. She’s been tiring in those longer races but she’s two for two at this distance, scoring her last win at Saratoga in July last year. 2-FROSTED ECLAIR is capable on either surface but think she’s better on turf at this point in her career. She was beaten here as the even money favorite in last. She’ll be tracking the pace today. Could surge late to make amends.

Maybe this will finally be the right spot for 6-DASH FOR THE CASH. He needs more distance to be truly effective but like the way he was running late in last, his first start of the year. The pace of this race should certainly be quick enough. Maybe he’ll get to run them down. 5-THREE AFLEET fought hard in last, his first start against winners but the victor of that race was just a little too tough. But the seasoning this runner received should prove to be beneficial. He looks like the best, but not only, speed in the field. He’s going to have to fight for the lead but this time he could persevere. 7-VERRAZANOINTHESKY is another likely to come on late. This will be the first time he meets state breds on the dirt in over a year. He’s been in pretty good form anyway but could take it up a notch versus Illinois breds.

4-BUTTONS AND LACE is lightly raced compared to the rest of the field but she has shown pretty dramatic improvement with each passing start. She broke her maiden in her turf debut, just missed as a fast-closing fourth in her next start, and won her last going away. There should be sufficient early pace to set up for her late move. Can make it two in a row. 3-R KATIEBUG, stablemate of top choice, could be the one to beat. She’s flexible enough to race on or off the pace and on or off the lawn. She never won at the distance but did finish in the money in five of eight. 2-YAMILE’S is another capable of racing well on grass or dirt. She’s been in pretty good form this year, finishing in the money in all but her stakes attempts. Also, like that she’s tractable enough to race on or off the lead, however the pace dictates. 

This race is slated for turf but I’m expecting few defections if it gets moved to dirt. 9-KINGSBURRY ATTACK is one that seems unlikely to hang around if this race does get switched to dirt. He’s had 30 starts so far and only the one win to show for it but I thought his last race, his first of the year, showed some potential, especially since he finished third in what turned out to be a “key” race. He’s going to be a longshot once again, and might deserve it, but he could also be poised to surprise. There will be plenty of speed in here if this race comes off the grass but, if it stays on, 8-WOLF HUNTER might get the lead to himself. He’s another with 30 starts and only the one win but he also seems sharper than ever. 5-PROFESSOR HIGGINS drops once more. Maybe this drop will do the trick for this late runner.