Handicapper Tips & Picks

1-PRINCE DAY has had a couple decent races and he’s dropping in class to make his turf debut. Could be good enough. 12-JOHNNY BOLT might be the quickest of these. He’s another dropper trying turf for the first time. 9-SAND CAST didn’t show a thing in five previous turf races but all were against maiden specials on a tougher circuit. Could awaken in this spot. 

Closely matched bunch of runners. Most are quick from the gate and at this short distance, doubt if any will hold back. 7-FROSTED ECLAIR could take advantage. She’s one of the few not likely to be involved in the early breakneck pace. Could run by late. 4-RAMBERT might be the quickest and she has shown some resolve when fighting for the lead. Might be the first out of the gate and hold sway all the way around. 10-HIALEAH HOTTIE jumps in class but she is two-for-two in turf sprints. Has to be worth a look. 

I think first time Lasix could help 7-LALY quite a bit. She used to be pretty quick but hasn’t been quite as competitive lately. Might grab the early lead in this spot and take it all the way. 10-SASSY WALKER hasn’t been at a level this low since she was claimed at Turfway early in the year. She’s been an even type of runner with competitive speed and the ability to close some. She isn’t likely to make a big late move or to try to outrun her rivals early but she might be able to grind out the win. 3-BL FORTY drops to meet her easiest field ever. She could be the best closer in the field and is a legitimate late threat if the pace sets up. 

3-BLUES CROSS is likely to be coming from far back. She narrowly missed in two of her last three races when the distances were too short. The weird thing was is that she didn’t show the same kind of run in the in-between race that was at this distance. She’s meeting the boys which makes her task more difficult but she could be tough if the pace sets up. 6-MONEY AGENT usually teases but he could be the best speed in the race. It’s been a while since he had a bad turf race. Maybe today he’ll be good enough. 2-LONE RETURN is more versatile than most in here and could be a factor on or off the pace. 

7-HE GONE has been training well like most Rivelli-trained runners do. Have to believe he’ll be ready to make his career debut. I heard 8-LITTLE KRUSH had some ability. He’s another making his debut off a good series of drills. 4-UNION CAIT is the only one in here with dirt race experience. He just missed graduating in his debut. He showed little in his follow-up race on the lawn but we know he can run well on the main track. 3-ROCKFEST might be the better of the two DiVito-trained runners in here. 

Don’t ignore 3-SHE BE SHEEHAN. She finished far back in her first start of the meet but her second race back was far better and she even took the lead before fading late. Drops a notch and races runs with another race under her belt. Can surprise. 10-DESSERT FIRST with a win and two seconds in her last three starts seems most likely in a field filled with runners in mediocre form. 6-LUCY'S LOOKIN LEFT was favored over Dessert First in last but had to settle for second place. She has, however, had the most local success with six wins in 17 local races. Can make amends.  

8-SAWYER FOX drops into straight claimers for the first time. He seems likely to be first from the gate. Have to worry about distance limitations since most of his races have been far shorter but he did have one race at the distance and narrowly lost after leading from the start. 12-LAMPLIGHTER JACK is another meeting his easiest field ever. He owns good route speed and we know he can handle the distance. 1-CAUGHT OFF GUARD is likely to get a favorable pace ahead of him. Attacks late. 

4-OY GEVALD has had two local races. He finished third on turf in his local debut and then crushed maiden rivals on dirt. Then he was sent to Kentucky to take on another tough turf field and didn’t show much. But he’s back here now and back on dirt. Should awaken. Lightly-raced 7-TRE ITALIANI might have been overmatched when shipped to Keeneland for his last start but repeated traffic woes didn’t help. He did look sharp breaking his maiden at Indiana in his previous start. He’ll never be far off the lead. 1-PONCHO ATTACK could show some late run. 

This race is filled with speed types so things should set up perfectly for 10-MISS RIVER RAT, 1-ATMIDNIGHT and 5-ROAR OF SILENCE among others. Miss River Rat won two of her last four races and finished in the money in the other two. Atmidnight is a well-traveled runner who just won locally for the first time while finishing second in her first two Hawthorne turf trips. Roar of Silence also won two of her last four, while finishing second to top choice in last. Can see 7-CAT ATTACK, 4-WANDA STRONG and possibly 8-IZZY'S MONSTER fighting for the lead. 

11-SHTARKER races on dirt for the first time in his career but he’s dropping a few levels to do it and his dirt works suggest he should be able to handle the surface. 8-COOL LESTER SMOOTH drops and turns back in distance. He showed little in previous sprints on any surface but he’s more seasoned now. 6-REGAINED POWER is blessed with plenty of early speed and has a legitimate chance to wire the field. 

1-DIXIE PENNY has been in great form when they run her at the right level and she’s at the right level today. She won the last three times she met straight claimers. Can get back to the winners’ circle. 7-AWESOME SUNDAY was favored in last when coming off a layoff and dropping in class but she reared leaving the gate and started off far behind the field. Deserves another chance. 8-SHARP ATTACK faces more seasoned rivals but she has been in good form and races for top-notch connections. 

4-ARROMAX is far from a strong choice but he has been competitive vs. better in recent dirt races. 9-ALL ABOUT TONITE looks like the best of the speed. He’s been tiring in his races but might last against this group. 2-HUEY ATTACK takes a big drop following a 17-month layoff. Not sure if he has anything left.