Handicapper Tips & Picks

This isn't a great bunch to open the day and the Becker runners should go 1-2. Awesome Willy looks to be a bit more proven on dirt and should provide more value. I'm Your Valentine is hard to figure out as this is the 3rd or 4th time that this one has been entered and then scratched to run in a different spot.

I really liked the effort out of Baladine last time out. That was a quality bunch and he held his own in his first dirt start. He should be forwardly placed and should dig in and battle if challenged.

A short field and a talented field that is evenly matched but little along the lines of early pace in this race. The inside will be an advantage for Sun Squall as he races first off the claim. He should be close early and the shortest way around on an expected inside speed favoring surface is the way to go.

Ward has been very good when picking spots to send horses to Hawthorne. This looks to be one of those. Despite the outside draw, this runner has speed to clear and should be ready off consistent works following the layoff. Expect a solid performance today.

What an incredibly tough race! This field is evenly matched and could be very bunch up much of the way. I think there will be enough pace to chase but not sure if Seminole Beach has enough class to compete. He's won two of this last three and Colon gave him an exceptional ride last time out. Maybe he is in with an upset shot today.

I was a bit down on Sir Acealot going into his last start as we was a bit flat two race back in a spot where he figured greatly. It was an improved effort in his last. If he can build off that performance he should be right there late with these.