Handicapper Tips & Picks

Pace makes the race and I am worried a bit as the inside two horses are the only real speed in here. It is why I didn't put Ioya Again on top. Sierra Hotel has a great stalking style and has run equally as well for his new barn since being claimed. Let's see if he can track and pounce in this spot.

This race is really tough because the two that should take a majority of the action (6&7) are both switching surfaces along with taking the class drop. When there's so many unknowns it may be worth looking for one that is making changes while at a price. I'm Your Valentine remains on the dirt but this one stretches out and adds Lasix. The last field was far too tough as the results shows but this bunch is much easier.  Maybe there's a shot he scampers away from the gate a tries to wire this bunch in a race that doesn't appear to have much in regards to early pace.

This race really appears to be a race for place on paper. Beyond Proper has three open-company wins and comes out of the state-bred Illini Princess in her last where she raced into some traffic trouble. At a price it may be worth using Stormy Empire. She is long overdue for a win at this level and may be better on the grass. The move to Tavares maybe wakes her up a bit too.

Likely the toughest race on this card to figure out. There's a good amount of pace in here to go with horses that are inconsistent and looking to build some confidence.  Toss in the 5 1/2 furlongs and it makes things more confusing. Lapis Lazuli has one start over the track and held his own against much better this spring. A new barn here but also gets the rider back who rode that race in May. Maybe he is a sleeper at a price.

You get two horses in here that love this track and will take a ton of action in Twirling Roses and Big Sport. Emigh rode Twirling Roses in his last two victories but has to shift to Big Sport here. Big Sport has been great at Hawthorne but may have some company upfront early. Kierkegaard could be in a perfect spot as he has faced a pair of solid allowance fields in his last two and was impressive in victory last out. His running style puts him in a perfect spot early and he should be charging late.

Not a huge field here and also not a lot of early pace in this race. Dream Keeper has raced well over this track in the past and comes out of a tough race in Indiana last out. He will likely be on or near the lead today and shouldn't have to work too hard to be there. Mr. Solo ran a big race at this level at a big price last out. Despite drawing outside, with only eight in here he should also be able to clear and contend while close as well.

After running very well at two distance that weren't quite his best, El Asesino finally gets a race at three quarters which is right in his wheelhouse.  There's not a ton of speed in here and while he won't be on the lead, El Asesino won't be too far back either. Felix has ridden him well and I like that the connections aren't asking him to do too much in this spot.