Handicapper Tips & Picks

Interesting race to start the card as there are some question marks among some in here. One who I like is 3-MY LADY SLEW as she makes her first start of the season. She raced well to close the fall meet and has a trio of works coming into this spot, most recently posting a snappy bullet drill. Let's see if she can beat Niff to the top. 4-MAYSTART is worth a look but a recent scratch is why I didn't put her on top. She needs some pace to chase and may find it here but we will have to see if there's enough distance for her to get up in time. 6-FIELD DAISEY is another that recently scratched from a spot where she looked to be tough. She ran a lot of good races last year but was also winless from those 13 starts. She may be better to look to underneath in the gimmicks.

A horse for the course, 6-TEE BURNS looks to be in a good spot as he should get a perfect stalking trip. He made one start in New Orleans this fall and pushed the pace along before giving way. If he can rate early, he should be able to run by in the lane. 5-LUCKY SHOT gets back to a spot where he should be tough as he makes his first start of the meet. He's another with success over the track as he could get a very similar trip to Tee Burns in here. 1-SHIMMER ME TIMBERS scratched from an allowance race on Thursday for this spot. He has early speed and a work over the track as well. We have seen some horses recently come from Southern California to Hawthorne to win and this is another that is worth a look.

This level is usually pretty tough as you get horses coming in from different spots to run for this tag. Hoping for some value from 2-PALACE MAGIC as she makes her second start of the meet. She faced a solid field on opening day and held her own in that race, sitting back and running on in the lane. She won't have the lead here but wont be too far back either as she may sneak off at a decent price. 5-CATCHUSIFYOUCAN is one that should rate close as well. She has been working consistently toward the return and is clearly the one to beat in here. My main question comes with her taking the drop below the level of the claim in just the second start since being claimed. 6-ALMAFUERTE steps up today as she makes her first start of the meet. She has just one work toward the return which leaves some concern but her record of 10/12 on the board in races over the track can't be overlooked.

A lightly raced bunch here and not quite sure what the pace scenario will be. I am concerned about only one workout toward the return but I think the class relief, combined with turn back in distance and possible value flatter the chances of 7-MODIFIER. The Perez barn has gotten off to a good start this meet and this one did face tougher fields in both starts to open his career. While sprinting, he is likely to settle back early and look to run on late but there may be enough pace to come back to the field. 1-BLAME SHIFTER debuts from the rail as the break will be the key. He's one of a pair of Vanden Berg runners in this spot who has a nice pattern of drills toward the return. The recent gate work was solid and let's see if he looks to show some early speed. 8-LOCOMOTE comes from the Rivelli barn, which often has their young horses ready to roll early. He has a pair of works leading toward the debut and I don't mind the outside draw. Lasix for the debut and let's see if he wears blinkers as well.

Another spot where there's some potential for some value as the favorites have some question marks. Gave the nod to 7-BIG BLUE as he makes his first start of the meet off a solid pattern of morning works. He ran a decent race over an off track in his final start last fall but this barn places their runners well and he should get a perfect stalking trip. If he can sneak through in this race without getting claimed then he becomes Starter eligible which may be beneficial for the turf season. 5-KEEN RESPONSE ran some solid races early in the fall last year and was claimed out of back to back starts. He was in too tough for his two most recent starts and returns off an easy work. No concern with fitness though as he figures to sit mid-pack early and run on late. 3-WILDWOOD'S WARRIOR will take action but also has the questions surrounding the class drop in here as well. He has raced with mixed results throughout his career and should be fit after spending the winter in Oaklawn. The only concern is that he may not provide much in regards to value today.

This spot has a mix of some who faced off early in the meet at this level along with some new shooters. 3-D'FEVER has potential to be tough as he drops back down after facing much tougher in his last.  He has some early speed and was able to wire similar last December. He could have company just to his inside but may also be able to outkick Agave Kid to the top. 2-AGAVE KID showed speed at Mahoning Valley last out before giving way into the lane. His record at Hawthorne is good and he has won at the distance. The question in here is if he chooses to push things early on or settles back and runs from just off the pace. If the top two do hook up, it sets things up for 7-RISKY BOY. Risky Boy looked to be sitting in a perfect spot on opening day before scratches completely changed the complexion of that race and Chopper was able to steal on the lead. With only a pair of possible speed threats in here, they will need to likely hook up on the lead for Risky Boy to sit behind and close into late.

Not a ton of pace in here as it is very likely the pace goes 1-2 around the track. I think 3-RIGHT ON RICHIE is the fastest to the front despite turning back in distance. He returns from Florida for this race but with picking Baird up in the saddle you would have to think he's headed for the top. 1-WILDWOOD DREAMER figures to chase early and run on in the lane. He faced open company to close out the meet last fall but it wasn't the greatest bunch for that level. He is working consistently toward the return and you have to figure he will be roused to press early from the inside draw. If there is enough pace, 6-COMING UP ACES should be closing well late. He ran a good race in his last start of the fall and returns with a pair of works. The only question is the distance as 5 1/2 furlongs won't give him a ton of time to get up.

Going to single 1-MADLY in my late Pick tickets which could be very wise or very crazy. Of those that have raced here we haven't seen a whole lot but the Tracy barn has gotten off to a good start this meet and has this one spotted well. She has faced much tougher in her two starts in New York but since coming to Hawthorne she has worked well. I expect she shows some speed from the inside and never looks back today. 3-LADY KALINA ran a decent race on debut here on opening day. She made a middle move and led late before being run down nearing the wire. She figures to rate in the second flight early and look to rally once again in the stretch. 2-EVIE JEAN was a horse I selected on opening day as she showed some speed before giving way late. She has the potential to chase once again but the added 16th of a mile may work against her chances in here.