Handicapper Tips & Picks

3-SHACKLEFORD STRONG came over from Oaklawn prior to the last start and took quite a bit of action in that race. He didn't race poorly by any means as he chased the entire way on a day that speed held well. With warmer temps, expect the track to even out as he should be very tough in here. 2-WHERE'D THE DAY GO makes his first start of the year for Berndt as he comes in off a couple of works. He is likely best suited for the grass but merits a look for a barn that wins at a good rate. 5-IRONMAN RICHIE makes a quick return off a solid victory. He was left to chase the early pace in his last but took over in the lane and finished strongly. He won't be too far out of it at any point and could be ready to win right back.

With the hopes that the track plays evenly, I'm giving the nod to 5-EVIE at a bit of a price. She made her first start of the meet a couple of weeks back and was one to run on in the lane. With a couple with speed in here, things could be contested early as she could come running on late. 3-OCEAN HONEY should get a good tracking trip in here as the Klopp barn has done well with everything they have sent over. She ran a good race against better in her last and is likely to get first run on the closers in here. 1-BELLS OF JOY isn't one that wins often but she does show the ability to run on in the lane. She's 9/16 ITM at Hawthorne and will also benefit if the track evens out a bit.

Looking to the back class of 3-RESTORING HOPE as he makes his first start out of the meet. He will need some pace to chase but is likely to find it in here as he has three works leading toward the return. With a couple who benefitted from a speed favoring strip last out coming back, they may wing it again and come back to the field. 4-WINGING WAYS is one with speed who may have some company as well. He's another with some back class who has run well at the distance. Expect him to take some action in this spot. 1-WILDWOOD SECRET also has tactical speed as he makes his first start of the meet. He has a couple of works toward the return but the concern is the drop to well below the level of the claim.

Good, competitive bunch here as there's not a ton of pace in this race. Thinking Gita's Lad controls things on the lead but hoping 3-JEFF THE LION can get the stalking trip and look to run on in the lane. Everything from this barn is working well toward their return and Jeff the Lion has had success over the track. This will be only his second start in 18 months but the barn looks to have him ready. 6-GITA'S LAD has been very good at Hawthorne as 9 of his 10 career victories have come over this strip. He figures to clear from the outside and look to control the pace but there won't be much value from him either. 2-FIRST MASAMUNE has to hope things are contested upfront as he figures to settle and close late. The distance suits, he likes the track, and has a race under his belt. There's a chance he could run by them all late.

In past years it would seem odd to see horses here from Southern California but we have seen it more and more over the past couple of seasons. 2-ARDIS is one of those who comes in off the claim at Santa Anita. She qualifies for this race off his start two back and has tactical speed. Races at Santa Anita have translated well in the past for those horses handling this Hawthorne strip. Let's see what this one shows us today. 6-ICY RIVER was a winner in the slop here against Allowance company earlier in the meet. That was a day where speed was good and she took full advantage. Expect to see her winging it from the outside today. 4-LICHITA is another with speed as she comes off a strong win at Oaklawn last out. She was coming off the layoff into that spot and taking a drop but was pushed every step of the way and never gave in. Let's see if she challenges for the front end once again today.

Facing the girls may be the difference for 3-WILDWOOD DREAMER as she has taken on the boys in her last two starts. She broke her maiden in the final start of the fall meet and almost defeated the boys when facing Allowance runners to open this meet. She has speed to burn but doesn't need the top to win. Let's see how things unfold in this spot today. 6-RAINY MOUNTAIN makes her first start of the meet but has put together and nice pattern of drills leading into this race. She won't be too far back at any point and figures to be right there at the if there's a speed duel upfront early. 4-FROSTED ECLAIR comes in off a good win in the slop in her last. She got away a step slowly in that spot before rallying in the lane. Expect her to tuck in just behind the pace in this race and run on in the stretch.

Two in here from the barn of Larry Rivelli as both are in with a big shot. I was expecting a bit more from 7-GOLDEN HORNET last out but it is possible that he didn't take to the slop. There's a lot of pace to his inside in here so let's hope that he settles in the second flight and looks to run on in the lane. 5-WALKER'S WIN likely won't be too far off the early pace but he is very game. He's won both of his Hawthorne starts and is working up a storm toward his return. With the quality of this field, there's a chance he could sneak away at a bit of a price. 2-TAPE TO TAPE is the other Rivelli entrant in here but by no means can be overlooked either. He has speed, likes this track and may be the fastest to the front. 

Had a really tough time with this race as I wasn't sure where I wanted to lane. Ended up on the horse that has had success here as 1-MY LADY SLEW draws the rail. She has speed and although there's others with pace in the race, she figures to make the top and play a game of catch me if you can. Let's see if she can shake loose with the hot riding Giles in the saddle. 9-WITCHING ran well in her last as she rated in the second flight and closed some ground in the lane. She is hoping for a contested pace upfront as an evenly playing track will help her chances for sure. 2-RATTRAPANTE is the question mark as she ships over to Hawthorne to make her first start of the year. She has been away from the races since September but is working well toward her return. She also has some early speed but I don't think she is as quick as My Lady Slew is likely to be from the gate.