Handicapper Tips & Picks

1-BRIDGE CLASSIC has been having some issues leaving the gate in good order but, once he’s out, he displays a good turn of early foot. He’s making the third start of his career. Could be ready to lead all the way. 3-GOGH showed considerable improvement in his second start. He came on late to finish second, passing top pick in the process. Don’t know if any of the first timers will pressure top choice on the front end but would expect there to be enough pace to set up for this gelding’s stretch run. Of the first timers, I think 6-LIEUTENANT CHARM could be best at this point. He’s been training well and first-time starters for this trainer are generally ready to go. 

4-STAR OF KODIAK could be the best of these. He’s been good in most of his dirt starts this year, but. Natural speed keeps him close but he can still finish with authority. 6-ALTO ROAD had some traffic trouble early in last and never got close to the front end but he’s probably the quickest member of this field. If he gets away alertly, he could be long gone. 1-ALIBI IKE generally displays good early foot. He’s been tiring lately but there’s always a chance that he can wire the field.  

5-SAN ANTON’s first 11 races were on turf but his last race, his 12^th career start, was his first time on dirt and he managed to finish a well-beaten second. Like many, he could prove tougher with experience. Might graduate today. 4-MY LAST ESCAPADE is probably going to be favored and might deserve it. He’s been in good form for a while and finished in the money in last three. He could be the first to cross the wire. 2-BEST DRESSED MAN will fly right to the lead. He does tend to run out of gas but could get a big heart with an unchallenged lead. 

I don’t THINK we’ll be off the turf, I got far more rain by my house but just in case…7-AUTISM COMPASSION wouldn’t be a stone-cold lock if this race did get moved to the main track but she would certainly loom as the one to beat. She’s entered for main track only and she’s in the midst of a great year, with four wins in her last five races, mostly at this level. But including an allowance romp in last. But this race looks far more competitive on the weeds, though 5-FREEDOM LASS might have the advantage. She’s making only her third start of the year and her second around two turns. She took the lead in the stretch in last but couldn’t maintain it. She finished second in three of last four. Could be a different story this time out. 3-ROAR OF SILENCE certainly figures. She’s dropping in class. However, it seems that she either wins or finishes up the track. Which will it be today? 1-WHAT’S TO DO runs well enough on turf to be a factor but think she would be better off if this race was moved to dirt. Only a nose separated 4-APRILS GEM and 2-LOTTA ROSES when they met at the end of August.

Wouldn’t hand out the trophy quite yet but 7-FRONTIER MARSHALL looks awfully tough in this spot. He finished in the money in all races this year, though Good Yegg did finish ahead of him, on dirt, the last time they met. 6-GOOD YEGG also finished in the money in his last three. He seems to be a little better on dirt than he is on turf but he certainly figures on either surface. 4-JAKE’S CHANNEL tends to run out of gas and he’s stretching out today but he did finish a good fourth the last time he was ridden by Loveberry.

1-PASTA SALAD RHONDA could win right back. She’s still eligible for a race at this level because of a clause but also like that she was claimed from last by a barn that wins with nearly 50% of their first-time claims. 2-ROYAL LAUGHTER drops a few levels. She hasn’t been in terrible form and the drop seems excessive but she should certainly kick it up a notch versus these foes. 5-SILKY WARRIOR has been racing competitively for months, and was even favored in two of last three, but she just hasn’t been able to get the job done. She’s been facing these and similar rivals but maybe it will be her turn.

4-STAR BLESSING was an impressive maiden winner in her local debut. She grabbed the lead quickly, through blazing fractions, and never looked back. She’s meeting tougher here and will face others with speed but hard to see any of her rivals keeping up with her. 2-SUPRISE ME AGAIN has been in very good form but she does come from a bit off the pace and might never get a chance to run down top choice unless another member of this field manages to soften up that rival. 6-RIETTA has been in pretty good form and is a threat on either surface but her declining speed figures could be a cause for concern. 3-TWO HEARTED did win one of her two turf races but she has been far better on the main track.

6-SOUL COAXING drops into the right spot. He chased the ultra-hot Calibrate in last and finished second. His prior races were against even tougher. Good tactical speed allows him to run well on or off the pace. Should be tough either way. 4-LITTLE STEVEN is hard to figure. He’s easily the quickest member of this field and he started off his local year winning four straight. However, he’s been tiring in recent races after displaying his good speed. Maybe he’ll awaken off the claim. 3-HANDSOFFTHEGOODS isn’t a big closer but he’s a kind of grind it out type of runner. Not sure he can win this but know he’ll be trying in the stretch.