Handicapper Tips & Picks

#4 MINI DRESS fits this condition making a lateral class move from the recent Optional Claiming races at FanDuel Park to return for the claiming tag. She could find the right trip for her run style (See OptixPLOT), something that was not possible back on August 27th forced to take up a role pushing the eventual 1-5 chalk winner given the three horse field. #5 PRINCESS STELLA could hold a class edge based on her form prior to the layoff. She has had some setbacks since the January 22 nd Fair Grounds race. She ran that day wearing first time front wraps; a removal today should be monitored and could be considered an upgrade coming off the layoff.

#1 DARE GOES DA DEVIL has buried form here at Hawthorne and at the N2 claiming condition. He ran under similar conditions back on June 25^th recording a “better than looked” effort with legit trouble. Some excuses can be given for the two races that followed and has been freshened for this race where positive intent could be in play. Perez will also send out #6 IRISH TUFF one that took a “tuff” beat on September 14^th with some early trouble before making a wide move together at the wire with the ground saving winner. While that effort on repeat should be competitive, there could be some concerns with the form cycle turning out that top effort just 11-days ago. Irish Tuff is likely to be shorter today than Dare Goes Da Devil and comparing their class and form here at Hawthorn in the N2 condition, Dare holds a subtle, hidden edge. 

The class and speed figure edge sides with #3 OWEN’S PLEASURE making her a contender showing up for her Hawthorne debut. Trip will be her main hurdle, often lacking early sprint speed. She should be able to track closer to the pace today with the class and change and off her Canterbury Park race in the stakes event two weeks ago noting she was not in the right condition to compete or given a chance with the ride as she was allowed to drop back off the pace and taken under a hold. #2 TAILORBESWIFT could benefit from the pace scenario in this compact field according to OptixPLOT. She could move up returning to dirt and with the slight distance change. She could also present a move forward making a mini move into a solid pace over the turf outside horses on September 8^th. 

The Team Block/Chris Block pair #1 LAND MARK DEAL and #2 IOYA AGAIN return to Hawthorne with upside in their current form cycle. Land Mark Deal projects improvement as he makes his second start of this cycle making a wide move in a race that visually appeared to be a prep on September 6^th with the public leaning the same direction dismissing him from the 8-1 morning line. Orlando Mojica was aboard for the win over this course back on June 11^th and his presence back aboard today suggests positive intent. Ioya Again lacks the same “class” as his stablemate, though is in current form making his third start of the form cycle. His running style and finishing ability can be upgraded today shown as a Large Square on OptixPLOT.  

The runners with experience could use that edge to win, however, have left something to be desired and willing to look toward a new face. #5 CHINA CODE will debut here for Rivelli, owner/breeder Wilson and rider Loveberry. This team came together with a juvenile debut winner earlier this season called Fit to Fly, the winner of the race and finishing in front of stablemate, #2 RIVZONAROLL back on June 11^th. China Code was working here at Hawthorne earlier this year to suggest some intent to debut on this circuit. 

This race comes up as a contentious maiden claiming group with multiple ways to land. The projected favorite #7 JIM AND JIM moved forward with the class relief showing subtle, hidden form in his Hawthorne maiden claiming races over the turf. He was able to build off those starts with speed figure progression at HS Indy. #2 LARK also ran in that June 18^th common race and with ground loss in his fourth place result. He could project a move forward making his second start off the claim for Vanden Berg and exiting the August 18^th race at Ellis Park, a race that has held form going forward including one next out winner.

The connections of #9 AQUACAT have been looking for a return to the turf noting he has been scratched five times due to races taken off the turf. That includes two scratches this month at HS Indy when scheduled to run in a $30k maiden claiming condition where he fit for those races and upgrades him at this level/circuit – and could be overlooked here as well.

#3 RETURN TO PREMIUM is a huge stab off his races to date though the added ground should suit his longer frame where the short sprint distance and rail draw has him compromised physically on August 16^th.