Handicapper Tips & Picks

#4 MASHIE NIBLICK showed intent for DMR on the ship-and-win for the second career start last summer and could be looking to pick up where they left off. Number wise they must improve, though reasonable to project off the two juvenile starts with the layoffs and even intent in play suggesting perhaps we have not seen their best. They come back in this spot training forwardly and can come out live -- while trainer S. Miyadi has not sent out many maiden runners returning from a layoff at DMR to have a full sample that group off runners overall for the barn wins at 33% (positive $0.18 ROI) and 63% ITM. 

VALUE ALTERNATIVES: #10 BUCKS ACTION should be live here on the DROP and coming in fresh, more time between starts a decent number on the main track for the debut and B OptixGRADE in the second start on 5/1; #3 MISSLE CRUISER one of the more experienced runners in the field and in terms of numbers their stronger figures have been recorded on the turf though will note three recent starts a flow upgrade and taking a class drop with a lower par than what they have landed as of late; #8 H Q WILSON lightly raced second start as a sophomore, a competitive B- effort at the time in juvenile company at DMR last September 

Trip is crucial for #10 KEEP DANCIN NICK though should hold value with the draw and the two most recent running lines and outcomes to get overlooked. Those two recent starts should assist fitness wise stretching back out third off, a horse going back to the juvenile season needed the STRETCH/ROUTER and improved last year with added ground and age. #7 HIGHPLANSDRIFTER one of the older, established runners in this field especially at the two turn/route distance, a change for many in this field. That distance change for runners stretching out could see a contentious, honest early pace to the pace advantage of HIGHPLAINSDRIFTER with their off the pace run. They have had pace to chase in their recent starts and has been to their benefit just coming up short on the win end recording B OptixGRADES in the place outcomes. 

#8 MC VAY fits as a contender on Class/Speed and even Plot (ABOVE) for today's race shape. Their form lines can be tough to read through with layoff lines and even going back to their sophomore season running in graded stakes company as a maiden trying to secure Derby points. After picking up the maiden win (May 2024) they went right back to stakes company subtle trips split with layoff lines and competitive races looking beyond outcome - GREEN/EX mixed in. They came back this season with a no-grade "excusable" return in March stumbling TROUBLES+ losing the rider though continued to run riderless finishing alongside the eventual winner galloping out in front. They wheeled bakc with teh win in April in allowance company a a strong figure coming back in the Gold Cup (G2) subtle TACTIC- trip perhaps part of the reason for the rider change here. The connections also picking this spot and flat mile noting a trainer scratch from the San Diego (G2) last weekend for this spot. 

#1 MIDNIGHT HORIZON has the benefit of a local stateside start and can project a move forward stretching out and from the SLOG sprinting on 5/17. They have trained forward since, and strong visually  "race ready" solo drill on 7/19. The L. Powell barn has been on the colder side to note while #9 YOGA MASTER can be upgraded with the STRETCH in distance, a change for them returning here.