Handicapper Tips & Picks

#6 HAPPY SAILS comes into this event with progressive form and form at this level as a logical contender. The move to the outer post should assist in terms of trip/pace shown in Quad I. Her stablemate #3 PRETTY IN PRADO must improve and finds a slightly softer spot showing up in this race for the tag exiting statebred company. She took money on debut off the trainer name alone not showing much with the WIDE trip in September and then was not asked (NO_PUSH) for run after losing her footing (TROUBLE_S) at the break. 

#4 SURE WASN’T ME gives up some recency making her return off the three month break and Hawthorne debut. Her races to date stack up number wise though some of those higher figures were earned around two turns. Value must also be assessed with the layoff and combined with the class drop.

Clearly #2 SHEZA SAVAGE was not right from the visuals (NO_PUSH) and the layoff that followed the April 23^rd race. She will return under similar conditions and if race ready off the layoff for Rivelli, should hold a pace advantage (Quad I) in this event.  #1 PALACE MAGIC does not standout in this field though has some hidden form coming into this race as the second start of the cycle and from the wide trip on October 30^th. Her other local start, the place finish here back in April earning a 71 OptixFIG fits into today’s OFR in addition to the back numbers that stand out from last year.

#6 KEEN RESPONSE physically presents on the TURF side, though handled the main track here under similar conditions two weeks ago. They had upside and buried form going back to the BTL effort on September 4^th at Canterbury Park.

#5 OPTION could be given an “excuse” from the October 7^th race here on the main track. There was a DELAY to the start and Option showed run after a rough start (TROUBLE_S) with the WIDE MOVE ill-timed (TACTIC-) by the rider that day. Their turf form and figures from this form cycle stack up on par and can be given another chance today (at a price) to transfer that form to the dirt.

Becker is coming in off a strong weekend showing. One of their winners returned from a layoff recording a career best and noted with #11 WILDWOOD’S WARRIOR coming off the 105-day break for belated second start. Going back to August 5^th at FanDuel, Wildwood’s Warrior made a mess of the break (SLOG, TROUBLE_S) racing off the pace while her stablemate went on to win as the even money favorite. Improvement will also be required for #2 I’M YOUR VALENTINE; though another going out for live connections with trainer Frank Kirby. They were entered and scratched under similar conditions back on November 4^th and pick up first time Lasix and Orlando Mojica, a live rider change. Tavares will jump aboard #1 MORANT as he lands here for a route debut and from a common race back on October 2^nd that has been a moderately productive event.

The distance cutback to ONE_TURN upgrades #3 CHRISTMAS PRESENT along with current form should be well-placed here looking for that first win this Hawthorne season. 

#4 JUST RIGHT MIKE is one to keep on the radar as they could hold a pace advantage over some others in this field shown as a Square alongside the other “Circle” Quad I runners. #1 FAMA Y DINERO can also be upgraded as a Square on Surface/Distance and for Eduardo Rodriguez, a live barn, and steady works for this return.

The shorter distance could be tough task where trip is key for #5 ART HEIST shown as a Large Quad IV Square and will be closing late into the “Sun” Contention. 

#1 MIDNIGHT’S GIRL should be able to hold her California form into this event for Rosin on a 27-day turnaround and showing a local breeze here on November 13^th. Her form and figures stand out in this group and outside of her it becomes a more competitive horse race.

#7 HALLIE’S RAINBOW returns to this condition with form and a slight flow upgrade from the October 8^th race staying on as the BOS, “best of the speed” through a Very Fast opening half mile that assisted the winner, War Music to close from off the pace. That race shape combined with her being lightly raced is playing into the Plot position and Large Circle today. She will be joined here by stablemate, #6 WILDWOOD POSSE with live rider (and barn off the layoff) Santiago back aboard though will require a career best race to compete here today.

Fellow California invader, #8 IT’S GREEK TO ME could find this circuit and distance the right fit. She was able to hold her form on the main track at Los Alamitos though compromised in those sprints at the shorter distance and from the rail, a tricky post on that course.

#5 WILD FOX scratched from a $5k restricted claiming event at today’s distance to run in this spot instead. That placement could suggest positive intent and hidden for that fits at this level. They return to this same condition from the October 28^th race, a race with a higher 93-87 OFR that can upgrade the hidden form, the C+ OptixGRADES and Keywords showing run (WIDE, MOVE) despite the running lines and finishing positions.

#7 DANVILLE used their class as an edge to show early speed with the BOS win on October 28^th. They will return with a lateral class move first off the claim for Vanden Berg and should be able to hold their form and compete in this race. 

#9 DIAMOND DAVE was scratched by Childers with the races taken off the turf here back on November 6^th. While the main track could be a secondary option, they are upgraded on the Plot and tough to ignore off that visual in this race.

#8 PISTOL BOX (Quad IV Square) is upgraded over #6 PROMISING SHOES (Quad IV Circle) in today’s race shape though both require top efforts to compete in this race with the slight step up in class today. 

Both #7 W W KAN DO, and #12 LITTLE MIGHTY MAN are logical types in this race though have each other as the main challenge shown together in Quad I on OptixPLOT. They project to set the pace and how much that takes out of them could set up the race for others. 

#10 AGAVE KID could also get caught up in the pace shown in Quad III, though there is a scenario where they can track off those two main rivals and as a Square, still hold finishing ability. The recorded B- OptixGRADE at this level back on October 1^st stacks up for the level. #4 RICHIESGOTSWAGGER and #5 EASTER MUSIC will be looking for that stalk-and-pounce trip tracking as Quad II Squares.

#11 OUTRUN THE POSSE will come from the opposite direction (Quad IV) though is not a runner that must be as far back as he was in his two local starts. They were held up by the rider (TACTIC-) on October 1^st and compromised by the slow start and outside draw with the shorter sprint distance on October 30^th.