Handicapper Tips & Picks

A potentially playable opportunity on this card (though still feels like a reach) #5 LADY ORIENT appears to hold intent second off (possibly front wraps off) with a return to SAR while finding a slightly lower par here and coming back from a WEATHER impacted and scratched down field on 6/6 at CD. Value wise there needs to be some meat on the bone and with a compact field (even with a compact field) price compensation is still required. 

#3 MUNSON fits well in this group with the changes and trips in each of the three starts to date. They showed run on debut, albeit with the race FLOW though projected to STRETCH something they have yet to do until today's extended sprint. The change in class and timing second off is also logical where a move forward can be projected; again going back to last season following a similar race-to-race improvement and number improvement at SAR for that second start, prior to the layoff closing out the juvenile season. They bring upside from the 6/12 CD trip with the TROUBLES+ taking significant contact making an early WIDE MOVE and continued to GALLOP+ something tougher to see with the running line and finishing position. 

#9 HIGHLAND PEAK is one of the more "experienced" runners in this field though should be the time and place for them to put forward a top effort. This marks the second start off the layoff and with the change in class suggests intent and notable as the barn has used this move with other runners this season moving horses up. 

The change in class should move up both #1 BOWMAN'S RUN and #4 OUT N OUT DISGRACE showing up here. Trip could favor both runners in addition to the change in class and current form; the current form with the recent finishing positions is more "obvious" with BOWMAN'S RUN and perhaps less so with OUT N OUT DISGRACe making a WIDE MOVE into a Very Slow early/late pace at the 7f sprint distance on 5/10. 

The change in class is also notable and suggests intent running #7 HEARD A GHOST above condition at the N3 level returning from the 196-day layoff just two weeks ago; a solid effort all things considered. 

#2 NIKINZIE debuted late in the 2024 meet and showed a CLOSE and TURF visuals. That supported the surface switch returning from the layoff last month and might have needed the race while in hand after briefly part of a Fast early pace. While running for the same owner, the barn change comes into play, positive jockey trainer combination on the year; in addition to posting works since the June race coming in for this second start on the year. 

#1 TOLD IT ALL has had the pattern of gate issues especially this season with the TROUBLES+ coming off the layoff (and in running TROUBLE with a higher par) in May and a legitimate EX - EXCUSE with the TROUBLES+ and late CLOSE behind the pacesetting winner on 6/13. Tough to say they will get a better break here though has that buried form and price compensation likely. 

#6 TODAY also brings in buried form and strong form from the races last season that fit on par. Coming back this season they were compromised with the trip on 5/18 projecting to IMPROVE off that effort the timing and WIDE trip on 6/13 first off the claim might not have been the right time and place as far as intent and that return to form could be here third off. 

#9 LIFE IS HARD drops to the lowest level in their career. While they have run for the $7.5k tag in the past both events including the B last September and 6/13 layoff return raced in open company showing up in restricted here. The shift to restricted claiming company also has moved up #10 U S ARMY CORPS this season and coming back rom a BTL effort in the 5th place outcome last month.