Handicapper Tips & Picks

#2 SEAWARD has buried form and should move up with the added ground in this second start off the layoff. She ran a competitive race (B- OptixGRADE) on the off-track making her return to Hawthorne and slight reset of her form cycle off the 39-day layoff. In addition, she holds a win at this level albeit over the turf back on November 13^th, however also holds a competitive race at the condition on the maiden rail from October 14^th earning a 78 OptixFIG, a number in OFR for today’s race.

Her stablemate #1 HOT DAME will look to pair wins coming off the starter allowance Mahoning win two weeks ago. As far as that race, and as shown in the OptixNOTE, she took pace pressure (PRESSED) along the rail (SAVED) and did come off the inside (NO_LINE) off the turn into the lane finishing all out to hold in a BLANKET finish at the wire.

#4 A REAL HERO ships in to make her Hawthorne debut. In terms of ability she fits on class, speed and form shifting to this circuit and has been able to transfer her form to the conventional dirt in the limited starts over the surface. The surface change (dirt) is still unknown for #6 DIALED INNA, one that has progressed as of late. She will race in this spot protected and could be a sign they will give her the race today.

Number wise both #3 JULIASON and #5 RONAN are lighter for today’s event in the contender role, though expect a move forward with the race and added ground (STRETCH) for JULIASON making her second start off the layoff and 14-day turnaround. 

Class wise this will be a lateral move for #7 GO BERTI from the March 10^th race at Turfway Park and recording a strong figure and effort (flow upgrade) from that race and place finish. A repeat of that effort has them competitive right back with today’s field though must show they can hold and transfer form, something that has been a challenge for some of the shorter priced runners shipping in from Turfway Park this meet.

#5 CELLULOID HERO is the five-year-old seasoned runner in this field and back at Hawthorne where he has run in the past and not his ideal distance (or post position) sprinting here back on November 19^th. Number wise he has consistently run the higher figures than #1 MINNESOTA MOON, the second choice on the morning line returning to the main track here at Hawthorne with the blinkers added.

#2 ANCIENT MAN and #4 STAR NATION could still hold a move forward as they return from the common race here on March 5^th. Both horses were caught off the pace in a race shape that played against them with minimal change in running order behind open length (and next out) winner, Act a Fool.

Slager has a pair in this race with both #3 CHERRY ORCHARD and #6 MINING CAMP stepping up in class. Number wise Mining Camp has run competitive numbers for today’s race par, a lighter race pair than maiden claiming events from earlier this meet, though still must prove himself on class and on this surface with the visuals for this runner suggesting TURF. Cherry Orchard returns from the March 19^th common race with Mining Camp and should benefit (PREP) from that race though has ground to make up on the other established runners in this field. 

#5 ALEBRIJE has a strong Plot position and Large Square (closing ability compared to the others in the field) that is tough to overlook, especially as one that might not be favored in this race. He has form over this course and current form/speed figures that fit at today’s claiming condition and race par.  

#6 LAKE MILLS went “gate to wire” for Kirby in the second start off the layoff last season, the win back on June 10^th earning a top 88 OptixFIG. That same intent could be in play today as they make their second start off the layoff, returning to the claiming level and off a subtle trip (GATE, TROUBLE_S) back on March 16^th.  #4 LATIN CASINO is likely looking for a similar trip up front as their three wins to date have all been recorded when on the lead. They also have faltered on the lead with pace pressure and have also been able to stalk and pass horses recording consistent speed figures in line with a top effort even though result wise did not pick up the win.

#1 GAME BOY BENNY won off a similar layoff at Ellis Park last summer and that could suggest intent for this spot and returning to the claiming level looking to place him where he can win. His races here at Hawthorne have all been competitive noting the level last season racing in N1X allowance company for the higher $34k purse.

Closers have struggled over this course as of late and something to keep an eye on with the first two races and how that can impact #2 STALLONE and #3 STAR OF KODIAK for this race. 

As noted in Race 3, closers have struggled at times this meet and that must be considered here for #3 MEMPHIS PRAYER listed as the morning line favorite with that clear closing RunStyle. #7 IZEONDEC could have to work a similar trip with some of his more competitive races and RunStyle from off the pace.  #1 ARROW STRIKE is another that has shown to lack early speed and that Closer RunStyle though races as a longer shot compared to the other two mentioned in this field.

Tracy has sent out some well-meant runners this meet and could have another with #6 GO FOR IT first off the claim. While he will be tested against winners, his form/figures from Turfway Park this season fit on par and has back (and buried form from his HS Indy races) form on the dirt as well.

Perez horses have also been firing all meet and #2 TEA WITH LEMON being one of those winners picking up the maiden score here on March 5^th. They returned to take on winners with the WIDE trip in the mud at this level on March 26^th and again will try something new stretching out in distance for the first time.

Hernandez wheels back with a pair in this race and for #4 OVER CALENDARED in a week after they were able to draw into the April 6^th allowance race. The timing off the layoff, class, outside post and WIDE trip did them no favors on the day and has more to show though still requires the right spot and seems they will look to be assertive from the jump and for early speed as an advantage. The form cycle is progressive for stablemate #5 FATHER PATRICK another on a quick turnaround as well as the buried form from the Churchill Downs races last November with those races fitting right in to compete on repeat. 

Number wise #1 WHERE’S THE DAY GO and #2 DEORA STORE fit in this group though have run at this N3 claiming level not quite showing enough (C+ OptixGRADE) to support at the projected lower odds, especially with the distance change for both stretching back out to a route of ground. Their presence in this race as shorter priced runners could open up the race for a price and to get creative.

#5 FLASHY RICHIE turned in a sneaky good effort (MOVE, C+ OptixGRADE) against a higher claiming group on April 3^rd. The WEATHER conditions that made it tough to make up ground on the track and he still finished with run and in a four horse BLANKET for show.

#4 POWERFUL MAN repeats a form cycle pattern from last season to suggest upside and improvement for today’s race. He returned off the layoff last year, November 20^th not given (TACTIC-) his best change and sprinting though again was caught up in a trip on December 10^th and ran out of race days before the end of the meet. Stablemate #6 ZARMAE also returns with a look here back under similar condition from the March 26^th race and class drop from the higher level claiming races here last season.

#8 CHOCOLATE BUNNY returns from the common race a this level on March 26^th where they appeared well-meant that day bet down to the favorite from the assigned 15-1 morning line. He ran to that public expectation, however, took a tough beat after controlling most of the race to get caught at the wire by, Ministry of Art, the morning line favorite and second choice in the wagering.

Longshot #3 C V THUNDER will show up here with class relief from her recent races though a interesting spot off the layoff running this five-year-old mare against the older horses. With that said and what could be a prep (or scratch) form on her best day makes her competitive. 

#1 FIELD DAISEY made a positive (PRERACE+) physical appearance returning from the layoff on March 19^th though broke slow/SLOG was caught WIDE behind a pacesetting winner in Trip to Freedom for the Tanner Tracy barn shipping in from California. FIELD DAISEY could improve off that race as the race itself has held form and returning to the lower $6250k N3 claiming level – a level she improved at last season and appears all around the right fit for her abilities. 

#5 STACY ATTACK appears to hold some upside and intent in this second start off the layoff and returning to Hawthorne. She picked up the win last year with similar “second-off” timing in her form cycle, the October 23^rd front running (FLOW aided) score under Felix and appears to look for a similar trip returning from a competitive race (one next out winner) on March 17^th at Turfway Park. Her presence in this race with the early speed could make things tougher trip wise for morning line favorite, #6 MY LADY SLEW and even #4 NIFF in the field.

STACY ATTACK shares some common run lines with Field Daisey going back to last season and local form. She also shares the March 17^th run line with #2 BERTRANDA landing in this spot and circuit making her second start of the cycle. In terms of trip today, Bertranda has been more effective from off the pace and the change in tactic keeping her close to the pace last out could have been by design and a conditioning move returning from the layoff.

At the morning line, #8 CAIRO SUMMER fits on value with a case to be made here based on her Plot shape/position. Value is still required for her as she has come up short at this condition in the past and requires a top effort as well as trip to win at today’s level/distance. 

#8 BERNIE LOMAX returns to dirt, the surface where he has been most effective and recorded his higher speed figures. That is noted when looking at his form and a different picture emerges covering up the turf was at Tampa  and the recent three starts at Turfway Park.

The Surface/Distance Plot position/shape for Bernie Lomax also is upgraded (Large Quad II Square) with the potential pace dynamic, a Contentious pace with the Quad I group of Circles – lack of finish. #3 TOM’S LAST GENERAL also is upgraded as a Quad II Square and could also suggest intent noting they have been entered twice at this level during March before the race on March 30^th at Mahoning Valley.

As far as the early pace, #10 K C’S FIRST BMW is listed as the lukewarm morning line favorite and a horse that has legit early speed, though can be his own worst enemy with the pattern of breaking slow before making a RUSH to the lead. #5 BLACKTECA could be the “speed of the speed” in this race as he has back class and speed figures against tougher setting fast early paces that on his best day make him a player. The barn did start out the meet with an open length winner shipping in from the Fair Grounds and Blackteca returning from the 68-day layoff where they were entered at the Fair Grounds three times since that February 4^th race unable to compete as a vet scratch in each of those entries.

In terms of the closers/Quad IV: #6 TIZWOW could hold a move forward in the third start off the layoff. They return from the March 23^rd race when compromised on tri from poor rider TACTIC- in the four horse field that included front running unofficial winner, #9 SOVIET STANDARD. #7 PERFUMER had buried form including a BTL effort on March 9^th to set up the maiden win on March 23^rd. The effort could be taxing (HARD) coming back in three weeks and stepping up against winners though to his credit has shown run and improvement race-to-race. 

#4 EMPIRE BUILDER was claimed back in January and was entered in an allowance race in February at Turfway Park though a trainer scratch for Hernandez that day. They will return here and return to the dirt with what appears some intent to run here at Hawthorne where they have been stabled and training and calling up Emigh to ride.

#1 SPALDING STROLL projects to be a "longshot" on the board and one that has races that fit on par/OFR to win with class showing up at this allowance condition, the prime hurdle. As far as form, the added ground (STRETCH) and race coming off the layoff (PREP) should present a move forward.

Tracy entered #8 MR. SOLO at this N1X allowance condition on March 19^th and unable to compete as a vet scratch that day though could suggest intent as they return here under similar conditions and with Felix back aboard. #5 MISTER CHARMING ran in that March 19^th race and turned in an honest effort for the level. The class level is noted again here as he will be back up against open company.

#6 PAPA’S LUCKY SEVEN also returning from the March 19^th race where he projects to benefit from the race off the layoff noting they were not asked for run and moving up late on their own to earn fourth. Trip comes into play for this runner one that can be a deeper closer with the noted track profile to follow with the races earlier on the card. Their familiar foe from last season, #7 PATH TO SUCCESS returns to this circuit and allowance level where he has been competitive, though has come up a little short on the win end.

#10 BALADINE will attempt to stretch out in distance for the first time in his career. Outside of that unknown he has shown the ability to compete at this allowance condition with improving speed figures on a lightly raced, younger horse, compared to the more established types in this field. 

#7 READY MADE returns to the maiden claiming level where they have been more effective and seems well-intended with that class change. #8 SMOOTH ATTACK also returns to the maiden claiming level where they have recorded some of their competitive races and numbers on par with a similar RunStyle (Quad I Squares) to Ready Made. The Quad I Contention runs deep as they look to be joined by stablemate #5 ROCKET MAN ATTACK. Also taking up a spot in Quad I, #9 FASTNFURIOUS shipping in for Tanner Tracy, a lateral move in terms of race par exiting the Fair Grounds meet.

That early Contention could benefit #2 GUST OF WIND, the lone Square in the off-the-pace runners shown on the Plot. To date, Gust of Wind has been his own worst enemy with the pattern of gate issues (SLOG, TROUBLES+) since the debut, though has shown run to make up ground from off the pace in each start.

#1 GREEN GOBLIN could move up in this second start and shift in circuit. The trip and race shape even racing inside that March 5^th afternoon at Gulfstream Park did not do him any favors. The pattern of gate issues has also been present for #3 NORMANDY ANGEL in each of his three starts and must improve all around returning from the 139-day layoff in his sophomore debut.