Handicapper Tips & Picks

#4 PRACTICAL JACK was a bit messy out of the gate (TROUBLE_S RUSH) on debut the connections going back to the gate to work on 6/27 was dominant in company from other side pulling away from that pair under wraps late. Physically they should handle turf from the visuals and action and waiting for DMR could further intent.

 #1 BULLWHACKER the lone FTS making a very belated debut as a 5yo. They should be as ready as possible at this point along with a steady strong of works and physically presents on the turfy side, the rail draw with E. Maldonado should be assertive from the jump; #2 PARKER'S CANDY not quite a FTS debuting last August though after almost a year off could be looking like one coming back around for a reset, turf debut and barn starting out with some live runners. 

#2 BACKSTREET EMMA an X_FLOW upgrade from 7/4 now drops to the lowest level they have raced at to date while returning to the turf and back numbers on the grass from 2025 clear contender. They hold an edge over #6 KEYTOTHEPARK another longtime maiden dropping in class looking for the right level for their abilities. #9 PERFECT RING upgraded returning to the level of their B- debut effort on 6/5 and should continue to progress with experience. 

#5 SHOOT should move up naturally on the class change with the lower MCL level and much lower race par than any of their three starts to date. Each race has come with subtle trips in part to a far outside or rail draw - the IMPROVE was projected in December though ran out of race meet returning last month off the layoff making an X_WIDE RUSH after a TROUBLE_S. #9 SYMPATICO second off wheeling right back in two weeks for this second start of the season. While finishing 6th in that 7/9 return, the B- effort suggests more competitive than the outcome noting the outside post for them and X_WIDE RUSH making a middle MOVE - the win, show and 4th place finisher from off the pace, 8+ lengths back at the first call. 

#4 RATINGS UPGRADE was upgraded returning to the TURF in the second start (PREP) of the season on 6/25 though not the ideal trip/TACTIC- to compete that day. After the SLOG was SHUFFLE making a WIDE MOVE on a course inside favoring. There is a subtle change in dynamic here to assist as far as trip (Q4 Square/AVERAGE+) in addition to Speed (ABOVE) and Class (ABOVE+) 

#6 DESIGN DIVA has a similar Q4 Square Plot position/shape while upgrading as they return second off, back to the turf and under conditions where they recorded competitive numbers and OptixGRADE last season including a B - winning effort for the level last August, 8/3 while reuniting with S. Civaci.