Handicapper Tips & Picks

Don't get too creative here as the opener could be a free spot in the win column. That being said, it is worth using 6-UNIFIED WEEKEND as a single in the multi-race wagers to see if you can catch a price down the line. He's consistent and looks to get the trip in a race with no pace. 1-ROCKET HOTSHOT is at his best over this Hawthorne strip and could be best poised of any to upset as he gets class relief in here. This barn had a big day last Sunday and he could move up if the track is off due to rain. 2-CHICKS FOR FREE is another dropping from the same races as Rocket Hotshot. He was also left to chase Gita's Lad in those spots, running a good second in each. If he gets back to his race two starts back you can expect him to be in the mix for the gimmicks as well.

Trainer Jim Watkins has done a fine job with splitting his stable between Hawthorne and Fairmount Park, running very competitively at both locations. His horses are spotted well as he grabbed a couple of victories here last weekend. 2-STRANGE ARRANGE comes back off a fine win at this level last out. In that spot he stalked the leaders into the lane before responding well in the final 16th. he goes an eighth of a mile further today and could find himself alone on the lead with this bunch. 3-AUTOPILOT makes his first start of the meet as he has a could of works over the track leading into this spot. He ran well against Starter company in Louisiana in his last but may need Strange Arrange and Lucky Shot to hook up on the lead for his best chance to win. 5-LUCKY SHOT chased from the outside in his last and ran on well for second in that spot. He comes back at the same level today and gets to the best distance for him. Don't be surprised if he rates close early and contends late while at a price.

This could be the spot to potential catch a bit of an upset on the first half of the card. 4-SHEZ STUCK UP was entered here earlier in the meet but scratched on the morning of the race, opting for a tough allowance at Oaklawn instead. She held her own in that spot, closing up some ground late. She comes back today to a track she has won over as she could get a good tracking trip behind the two favorites if they battle on the front end. 2-BALI DREAMING is fast from the gate and ran a good second at this level in her last. I expect she is fastest to the front as six furlongs looks to be her preferred distance. 3-KAELY'S SISTER chased in her last and ran on late. That may have been a better than looks on paper effort, considering she was coming off an 18 month layoff into that start. Don't be surprised if she is able to improve off that performance in here.

With the potential for Coni's Coup to possibly be pressed by Action Seeker, things may set up for 2-ITWASTHISBIG as he comes out of a tough allowance in his last. That race was won by Camp Daddy, who dominated on the front end as Itwasthisbig chased from the outside the entire way. With the improved post and second start of the meet he could get a good stalking trip and run down the leaders in the lane. 4-PATH TO SUCCESS should get that pace to chase as he comes out of the same race at Itwasthisbig in his last. He rated back in that spot and was further behind than normal with Camp Daddy scampering away but at the wire he was only a half-length off Itwasthisbig and closing quickly. Don't be surprised if he is able to run by them all in this spot for a barn that is off to a fine start. 6-MCMONEY returns from Gulfstream as he raced well against similar in his last. He rated mid-pack in that spot before rallying in the lane. With the move to the Hawthorne dirt he should be able to save ground early and benefit from the long stretch run.

An intriguing race here with some class droppers and potentially not a ton of early pace. Hoping that 8-THE RIDGE could be poised to steal this race as he stretches out off his debut effort. He faced a bit better in that spot but had trouble from the start as the rider wrapped up in the lane. With clear sailing early in here he could potentially run comfortably on the lead and hang around late. 3-SHARP STICK is going to take some action as he takes the class drop into today's race. He ran a decent race around two turns at Oaklawn two starts back and held his own from the inside in his last. With the class drop and stretch in distance he's the other to potentially show speed as he appears to be the horse to beat. 6-ICE AXE comes back off an improved effort in his last. That was the first start back in six months as he settled at the back early before running on late. If the top two choices hook up on the front end in here, he may be the one running them down in the lane.

The potential for a contested early pace along with the class drop was enough for me to go to 7-GETTIN PAID today. He was entered at this level earlier in the meet before scratching to take on tougher. he raced ok that day behind a strong winner. With the drop in class and added distance he should be able to close in the lane. 1-OVERDUE HONOR broke his maiden on the front end on the grass last October. He is spotted well for his return as he has been working consistently. He will take his share of action in here as we will see if he can shake loose early on the front end. 4-MAD DRAGON is the other with speed who comes out of the same race as Gettin Paid in his last. He was sent hard early in that spot but gave way in the lane. With the class drop today, and not as much pace to contend upfront, he should be forwardly placed once again but won't have to work as hard to get there.

Looking to turn his form around, this appears to be a confidence boosting spot for 4-FRANKEL BABY. After back to back scores at Fairmount to close 2022 and open 2023, he took on much tougher and the results showed. With some time off and a strong workout pattern on the class drop, He should be able to rate close early and run on late. 2-PALACE MAGIC is a horse I have always liked as she tends to put forth a good effort more times than not. She has run in the top two in 9 of 15 Hawthorne starts and has enough tactical speed to rate close to  the pace. This is her best distance and a wet track will move her up as well. 7-DESSERT FIRST has faced tougher in her last couple, running a good race despite a troubled trip two back. She drops back down today as she looks to get back into form but can't be dismissed for a barn that is starting to wake up.