Handicapper Tips & Picks

#6 APOLLO YOU ANYWHERE could present a pace advantage (Quad I) in this event. Her early speed was effective earlier this year and was caught up with a higher SpeedRate (and warmup) playing against her on June 1^st. The separation will be ley with #1 GHAALEB’S MAGIC, #2 ARCH FLYER and #3 MI CRESCENDO (upgraded of the set in Quad II near ParLine) taking up a stalking role and looking for first run.

#5 TAP AND TWINE does not present any edge on the Plot for today’s race shape though her form cycle (every other) suggests a move forward today and should be sitting on a top effort. 

#1 NORTHERN ALLIANCE could present a move forward (upgrade Surface/Distance Plot) wheeling back in two weeks to make her second start of the cycle and third this season. On June 4^th she chased outside (NO_COVER) horses close up to a Very Fast early pace before losing ground. Not only is she a subtle “flow upgrade” that tactically is not her ideal trip and should gain plenty of fitness coming back in this race and should get back to her preferred “stalk and pounce” style. In terms of tactics, Hugo Rodriguez will also return with #7 SAFE TRAVELS in that can rate if necessary, though has shown to be more effective on the lead and could be tough on the front end in here returning to the claiming level also a flow upgrade (X_FLOW) on June 1^st.

The pacesetter #4 PRANCIPANTS ran a big race setting a solid pace and holding bravely on to the lead to score gate to wire. On the track she stood out (PRERACE+) in the post parade and upgraded off the visuals. That is something to look for here and should consider some overall regression especially coming back in two weeks and projects to be much shorter this afternoon.

The race shape on June 4^th is noted with many returning from that race and the race shape flattering #2 NO NANNETTE NO and #3 COMMAND POINT. On the day, NO NANETTE NO was given an upgrade with the shift to turf, while COMMAND POINT required little introduction as one of the more obvious runners and going out for the live, Block connections. Both fit today’s race haps, though again project to be shorter on the pair coming back from the in-the-money finishes.

#4 ZANDREA’S is another upgrade from June 4^th likely needing the race coming off the break and has back form at the level keying off a similar $10k claiming event over this course/distance last October recording a solid B- OptixGRADE with a sneaky trip in that fourth place finish. 

#3 D’ARCHER has benefit from favorable trips in his races this season, and looking at OptixPLOT could fall into another one today. His position in Quad I with separation on the rest of the field suggests a clear pace advantage that should allow him to clear and the one to catch.

#2 BAREFOOTBOOTLEGGER could present value coming back from the June 4^th race. The short comment says “no speed” though there was more to the story (SLOG, TROUBLE_S) as he lunged out of the gate and checked off heels setting him back off the SLOW early pace and compromised from the start and race dynamics. #6 CHRISTMAS PRESENT is moving forward in his form cycle and has back numbers that stack up strongly on par and with today’s group. His Plot position (Quad IV Circle) is impacted by placement, timing, trips to keep in mind with price compensation. Some further intent could be in play this afternoon with Mojica jumping aboard for the first time and for a barn he does not often ride for. 

In terms of the pacesetters, #4 I’M YOUR CAPTAIN is preferred over #1 SOVIET STANDARD in this spot. I’M YOUR CAPTAIN will make his first start in at this lower claiming N2L level and can be given an upgrade from the race shapes in May sitting up closer to faster, contentious early paces at the higher claiming level. SOVIET STANDARD returns to the $6250k N2L conditions where he was competitive and the right move for this horse, though must show more overall noting the C+/B- OptixGRADES, a touch below the “B” typically required to win.

#6 UNCLE DICK is on the slower side and requires a top effort to win. With that said, he could present some upside for this race and build off his prior Hawthorne form. The May 31^st race was his first against winners and might have lost his race before it started as he was given a very lone WARM_UP, often a negative factor for horses, especially for those at this level. Trip and pace is key for #3 CLASSOFSIXTYSEVEN for this distance though off the May 14^th visuals he projects to show a move forward (PREP) getting that race under his belt coming off the 135-day layoff. 

#2 SUMMER DAY was given a mention on May 31^st coming off the layoff and suggesting she might require the race – and a softer favorite. Her class assisted, turning in a game effort with adversity (WIDE,TACTIC-) still posting a show finish and B- OptixGRADE. The 8.5f distance also appears a touch beyond her ideal and the slight change in distance, along with fitness, is a positive.

#4 COWGIRL FRANKIE was also mentioned that day with the surface switch to the grass. Her physically suggested she is suited to the TURF and given just a second opportunity (the first a sprint in her second career start in against open Special Weight company) to run over the surface. The challenge with her is the gate, the pattern of SLOG (slow out of the gate) and from there making a trip and late run from off the pace.

#6 MOM’S TOWN presents the most upside in this field as a lightly raced runner making her sophomore debut in this spot. That is key as she will require improvement to compete from her juvenile season taking on the older, seasoned rivals. In addition to the potential progression. She could also present early speed in this race and be a factor forwardly placed. 

#7 MANTA REY is upgraded over many of the “experienced” other runners in this field and from the group that has come up short at today’s (or statebred) Special Weight level. The races he ran at Oaklawn Park were competitive Special Weight events and MANTA REY held his own including a B OptixGRADE on March 12^th.

#8 BLACK RAVEN wheels right back in a week for this second start and showed run earning a B- OptixGRADE making a MOVE following the SLOG (slow out of the gate) and continued to GALLOP+ out past the wire. First time starter #6 WICKED WOW could be a runner, he shows a “bullet” from the gate on May 21^st, an “outlier” type move compared to the other published times. The presence of top rider Orlando Mojica is also of note. 

Rosin was likely looking for #2 SOMEONE SAID SO to return at this level on the main track noting a vet scratch under similar conditions on June 7^th – though could not have been too disappointed sending out the winner of that race, Off Ramp. The turf is not a surface SOMEONE SAID SO has much experience over, though has been able to hold her form on the turf and compete keying off the July 17^th event last year at Canterbury Park. The pace projects to be contentious with six of the seven in the field sharing the E/EP RunStyle. #3 LADY RADLER could be the quickest of that group and shows up here off a dominant front running win in the Goldfinch Stakes last month. Class will not be the test for her as it will be for #6 LIPLINER, however the surface switch to the TURF is in her favor off the visuals and Surface/Distance Plot upgrade. 

#3 GROVELAND was not quite to the level of his graded stakes rivals on the “derby trail” this year, though this circuit and allowance condition figures to be the right spot to get back on track and some confidence going forward. His class and speed figures fit today’s conditions and also holds a favorable RunStyle for today’s dynamic. Harty already sent out a winner on this circuit and should be in line here for similar success.

Mason has not had nearly as much success so far this season, though she is a capable trainer that can get on track at any point. #1 G T FIVE HUNDRED has not quite shown the same class and speed as fellow three-year-old GROVELAND though has back numbers and recency that keep him in the mix.

#2 DANCE SOME MO has had most of his success on the turf and synthetic still needing to prove himself on conventional dirt. The two starts on the dirt could come with some mild excuses (the first being his debut and the second coming off a 209-day layoff last year at Santa Anita) and reasons to project he can improve off those two start where his form on the other surfaces make him a major player in here.