Handicapper Tips & Picks

#2 NOT VERY GENTLE turned in a solid B- OptixGRADE effort with the place finish in his March 26^th return. That result can be upgraded given the four horse field and lone/flow winner he was chasing on that day. The pace does not project to be overly contentious with the Snowflake designation, though some contention with today’s Surface/Distance with #4 FORT RIDGE, #5 MIDNIGHT BLUE NOTE and #6 COSMIC TREASURE.

#1 IRISH MAJOR also given a mention with progress this season and returning to the route distance exiting the March 30th race with a B- OptixGRADE with the CLOSE for place and solid GALLOP+ after the wire.

Some regression could be in play for #7 STAN THE CAMERAMAN as he will be required to hold his form and was well-intended with a subtle pace advantage here on March 23^rd.  With that said, he could still have the edge over others in this field (Quad I Square) and from the runners with recency and returning layoff runner, #8 HOUR CAT. Age is also noted as just one of two three-year-old runners in the field with first time starter, #4 DURANGO CHROME being the other sophomore.

#5 CALICO JOE physically has a “turf” look though also has buried form on this Hawthorne circuit and main track that stacks up on par.  Age wise Calico Joe is one the opposite end as one of the five-year-old runners in this race. The other five-year-old is second time starter, #6 SUPER CITRO where age comes into play for this runner making that belated racing debut just last month.

#3 CHIEF MYSTIQUE was overlooked off a competitive (B- OptixGRADE) race despite the 5^th place finish on March 9^th and paired up (B- OptixGRADE) effort with the show finish on March 23^rd. He projects to hold his form here and even capable in terms of a stalking trip to win and playable with value compensation. 

#1 T J MUNNINGS has spent the majority of his racing career running races at a route of ground and could appreciate this distance change going SHORTER for the first time in a long time.

#4 LUCKY SHOT projects to sit on a top effort in this second start back off the layoff and fitness from a WIDE trip last month. Trainer Dee Poulos used a similar “second off” pattern last year and with the rider change to Centeno picking up the place finish on December 10^th.

#5 ROCKET HOTSHOT had pace to close into on March 16^th though just unable to reach the front running Vanden Berg trained Rally Squirrel that day. They should have pace and form coming back to this race though trip again comes into play (value required) with the off-the-pace running style.

As far as the morning line favorite, #6 RACARINO he was well meant, placed, and ridden to get the win off the layoff back on March 5^th. He was all out to hold late in a tight photo and that is noted with the return today, a slight step up in class and must hold form for a horse that has a history of layoff lines. 

#7 SILVER CHILLER is given a follow off his March 26^th debut and projects to IMPROVE. The track listed as muddy with the race run in the rain. Silver Chiller was GREEN from the GATE playing a role in the SLOG and showing run making a move and more interest than perhaps the running line and finishing position suggests.

Some excuses can be made for #2 I’M YOUR CAPTAIN in each of his three starts. He debuted against open company and overmatched at the Special Weight level in January 2022 with that race followed up by the longer layoff. He returned from that layoff on February 2^nd, looking a bit short and upgraded as far as trip/pace. Trip also played against him with TRAFFIC wheeling back on February 20^th and the finishing position taken with a grain of salt behind an open length winner.

#6 DASH TO THE CASH finishing second that day and one that has the established form as a more proven, experienced type where what you see is what you get. #5 MEDAL KING also returns from that March 26^th common race and also looking to improve from that event and from his GREEN debut going back to 2021 at Arlington Park. 

The third start off the layoff has been a time for #5 PO BOY to run a top effort. He has early speed and one that can be tough on the lead with a top effort and could have that pace advantage here. Pace/PLOT also can upgrade #8 HEAVENLY TRIP for Surface/Distance and worth keeping on the radar in terms of value and even some intent here first off the claim and picking up a live rider in Julio Felix.

The distance change for #1 BAREFOOTBOOTLEGGER comes into question as far as value and intent making that return to one turn for the first time since June 2021.  #2 HATCHET CREEK has turned in competitive races this season in less than ideal trips. A rider change will be made following the WIDE trip last out and show finish with subtle tactical errors by Colon. #3 IRISH TUFF has been able to show early speed in the past though has returned this season from the layoff with the pattern of SLOG, the slow starts. With that said, he has been able to show some progression race-to-race and could present another move forward here with the benefit of those races and the slight addition of ground. 

#7 APOLLO U ANYWHERE could hold a pace advantage with her early speed and sitting in the right time and place this afternoon with the class drop and fitness for this third start off the layoff. #5 SNOOTY also has some early speed and a subtle class change from the open $5k claiming group on April 2^nd. As far as that race (and the full EX – EXCUSE on 12/17) could be in play as she was fractious rearing up in the GATE with an awkward break chasing the eventual winner on a WEATHER day it was tougher to pass horses in the stretch.

#4 RANK AND FILE is tougher to assess as Hughes has been running this horse in much tougher than her abilities since the claim last year. Going back to those races last fall, RANK AND FILE was competitive under similar circumstances to today’s race and could move up with that change and off the “trips” this year as shown in the Past 3 Runlines.

#8 NO NANNETTE NO is listed as the morning line favorite and has some challenges in this spot and should she inherit that role. Sullivan runners have been a little cold and under performing types even when fitting “logically” like this mare here. With today’s class she fits at this level and with numbers on par, though trip must be considered with the shorter price attached as a runner that lacks early speed and will cut back to a sprint. #1 COUGER also has challenges as far as pace with the distance change, though also carries recency and form over this course and potential intent with Giles taking over today for Perez, a live barn and rider/trainer combination. 

The race shape/pace (OptixPLOT) could see #2 VALIANTLY DISCREET with the early lead and pace advantage in this spot. He has that edge over many returning to this $25k N2 condition from the common races this season. The exception could be #4 VERRAZANOINTHESKY for this second start off the layoff, returning from a TROUBLE trip on March 26^th and has back numbers that stand out returning to a top effort as a contender.

#8 PRIZE FIGHTER returns from the layoff, showing up for a Hawthorne debut and returns to make his first start in against winners today. He has some buried form and has recorded some of the higher figures in this field going back to his first two starts, both main track sprints at Churchill Downs from 2021, his abbreviated sophomore racing season. 

#6 EDITOR IN CHIEF was able to benefit from a favorable, PERFECT trip with some racing luck as their main rival had some trouble back on March 19^th. They will be tested to hold their form returning off the layoff for the second start of the cycle, though is a lightly raced type and can be encouraging that Tracy sees fit to run back in this spot and at this higher level on the 28-day turnaround.

#5 BANDIT SWANSON has back class and form that makes him a logical type here though age might be starting to catch up to him as he has lacked some of his tactical speed from prior season. Hernandez/Donato will also show up with #4 PROTONIC POWER, the younger of the two and still lightly raced with upside and solid speed figures from his most recent starts that stack up on par. Trip/pace could be his main challenge as he tends to make his run from off the pace and will require some tactical speed in this group and over this Hawthorne main course. 

#4 ROARINGLIKETHUNDER had a “longshot” look back on March 30^th returning to make their second start of the meet, and coming back from the March 16^th race struggling (NO_HANDLE) with the inside trip. They showed a little more early speed making a wide trip before losing ground and showed early speed with the races last summer at Timonium. If there is a return to those races and efforts, this should be the time with the foundation, fitness and picking up first time Lasix while still In light as Giles remains aboard.

Reavis raced #8 BELLS OF JOY into form last season with a top figure and effort in the third start of the form cycle and has that similar pattern for today’s race. #5 MAIDEN ROCK can also be upgraded from March 30^th with progressive OptixGRADES in this third start of the cycle and solid GALLOP+ finishing in a blanket for the minors behind the pacesetting open length winner, G Money Liv.

#6 QUEEN IN THE NORTH has back numbers and consistent figures including her dirt races that stack up on par. Some intent could be In play as she returns from the extreme dynamic race shape on March 2^nd and picking this spot to run, nothing she was a trainer scratch for Rodriguez back on March 24^th at Turfway Park.