Handicapper Tips & Picks

LONGSHOT: #7 MINT DRIVEN stacks up as well as any in this field and intent with the class DROP wheeling right back with the move to the turf and rider change. Their current form has been consistent though "dirtied up" with the placement class wise in the recent starts going back to the B- on 5/16 a competitive effort under similar conditions and par. Pace wise MINT DRIVEN brings a favorable runstyle with the Fire Contention and higher SpeedRate - a dynamic which could also assist #3 LA SCATTA (Q4 Square) to get into the mix as well. 

#7 UP THE CREEK can put forth a competitive effort to compete at this level off the layoff as they return here. They are placed at the right level for their abilities, a key change to compete for the top spot as they have been protected since their most recent win back in April 2025. The race shape should be highly contested early (Fire) with at least half of the field sharing the E/EP runstyle, UP THE CREEK looking to land that first run tracking trip. 

#6 SHE'S OUR GIRL upgraded stretching out around two-turns for the first time and noted ROUTER (PREP) from the April 7f KEE debut. They moved up over the WEATHER impacted track conditions on 5/22 with a sneaky trip nothing the TROUBLE_S making an X_WIDE MOVE. 

Second time starters: #3 ILL DE LA CITE races as just one of two 4yo in the field and for a live B. Walsh barn coming off a solid B- debut on 6/13 with the TROUBLE_S RUSH and CLOSE through TRAFFIC - more competitive than the 6th place might suggest; #9 SWEET REWARD recorded a B OptixGRADE on debut despite the show outcome with in running TROUBLE, though will note that 6/6 event with a much lower par than today.

#7 FOR THE WIN presents upside off the debut 27-days ago. They had TROUBLE_S early and slight TROUBLE- in running moving up early and despite that early adversity put in a strong CLOSE and GALLOP+ while at the shorter 4.5f sprint distance and should appreciate the added ground (STRETCH) here.

#1 CHANCEL should hold value in this highly competitive claiming event while projecting a peak effort for the third start back this meet with key changes. Coming off the layoff on 6/6 they were fractious in the GATE and chased WIDE in that sprint projecting a STRETCH out going forward. Which they did with the route two weeks later though at the starter condition caught a high race par for the level and a strong race shape (Very Fast early/Fast late) while chasing WIDE with the lone winner and noting the top two together and clear at the wire. They drop back to claiming company and back to the level/distance where they had been competitive including picking up the win late last season.  

#4 ROAD TO VERSAILLES makes sense in here and the type who should lack any excuse at this level second off the layoff. That said, they have come up short without excuse in the past, can be on the PLODDY side. Looking at the Plot, ROAD TO VERSAILLES should find a favorable stalking trip and similar for #7 CLIVE CROSS one who require value all around at this level while giving up recency though has contender capabilities all the same.