Handicapper Tips & Picks

Pace makes the race and who is going with 6-COSMIC TREAURE in here? Doesn't appear anyone is. He comes off a good win in his last at Mahoning Valley and has won two of his last three. Those both did come in the mud though and we will have to see how he takes to the main track today. 5-MIDNIGHT BLUE NOTE may try to rate a bit closer to the early pace as he has had some success here as well. The barn is having a good meet and the class relief should help as well. 2-NOT VERY GENTLE ran a decent race off the layoff in his last. The pace wasn't quick in that spot but he did run evenly in the lane. With not much speed in here today he can be expected to contend early once again.

Unlike the opener, there seems to be quite a bit of pace in this race. If ready, 5-CALICO JOE may be able to rate and rally in the lane. He is working well toward the return for a barn that tends to have them ready off the layoff. If 2-3 go in here, look for him to come charging in the lane. 7-STAN THE CAMERAMAN ran a big race last out as he was pushed every step of the way and never tossed in the towel. He may face some pressure once again but with no choice but to be sent, he could potentially leave for the top too. 1-C F V NOBODYCARES hasn't run poorly in his first two starts of the meet as he may sneak off at a bit of a price. If it is a bit of a back track in here, there's the potential for him to pick off some runners in the lane.

A really competitive race here as there's the potential for a good amount of early pace. 6-RACARINO is one that was game in victory last out as he faced a solid field on opening day. He comes into here with an easy drill but runs well fresh and may sneak off at a decent price. 2-TEE BURNS has been good here at Hawthorne, finding the board in five of six starts over the track. He battled in his last and if there is some rain it will only benefit his chances. 5-ROCKET HOTSHOT may be a bit of a sleeper as he figures to sit back early and close with a rush in the lane. He has been running around two turns in his recent starts but has some sprint efforts that would put him in the mix. Let's see how the track is playing.

There really isn't a ton of pace in here which makes me think my top two choices are the ones that run 1-2 the whole way around. While 5-PO BOY may be faster to the front, I expect 8-HEAVENLY TRIP to sit right off of him early and get the jump on the others into the lane. After being claimed the second week of March, he has since come back with a good work over the track. The distance suits as he should get a perfect trip. 5-PO BOY has been solid in four straight races and cannot be dismissed in here. He made the top in his last two and while he was able to hold on at five furlongs, he gave way late at 5 1/2. I do expect he isn't pushed as hard early in here, but this may not be his best distance. 1-BAREFOOTBOOTLEGGER has some back class as he shortens up for today's race. He doesn't win often but his recent races have been better as he could run on late for a share.

This is one of those races where you can make a case for any horse to win. Based on the class edge, I'm giving the nod to 7-APOLLO U ANYWHERE as she comes out of a pair of tough starter races into this spot. She has speed and may be the fastest to the front. Santiago fits her well and returns in the saddle. Let's see if she can clear and wire this field. The other pace threat is 5-SNOOTY as she comes off a game second in her last. She chased the entire way and was given a hung comment. I'm not sure that she necessarily hung as it may have been that the winner just ran on. Look for her to contend as well as she faces a bit easier. 6-FANCY EMPRESS may be a sleeper at a price as she figures to sit back early and close well in the lane. She turns back in distance but her past success over the track makes her an interesting runner.

There's a good amount of speed in here which figures to benefit 1-MODAZZLE as he comes in from Gulfstream. He has a good work since the March 10 start and the distance suits for sure. The inside draw may be beneficial as well as he should be able to sit off the leaders and possibly make a rail bid in the lane. 6-HURTS SO BAD will also likely come running late. He just missed two back but appears to need a fast track as he didn't take to the mud in his last. He doesn't like to win but may be a good one to look to underneath in the gimmicks. 2-VALIANTLY DISCREET has speed along the inside as he has battled in his last couple. I was a bit surprised he didn't hold on in either though as speed was good both days yet he got caught late. Expect him on the gas early in here but he may have some company.

A good bunch here but not a ton along the lines of early pace. As long as Lavender Earl isn't sent hard for the lead, I expect 2-DREAM KEEPER to be upfront early and hopefully not has to work as hard as he did last out. He battled into the lane before giving way while still holding on for second. If he can catch a breather early in this spot then he may be able to wire this field. 4-PROTONIC POWER is one we saw on the grass last fall, running in the Hawthorne Derby before winning a turf allowance. His races on the poly at Turfway were strong but he is going to need some pace to close into. 5-BANDIT SWANSON is the second Hernandez runner in here but he is also in with a big shot. He finished only a length behind Dream Keeper last out and with some tactical speed he should be able to rate a bit closer early on.

A chance for some prices in the finale as the added 16th could benefit 5-MAIDEN ROCK. She closed well late in her first start of the meet and has been better since adding blinkers two starts back. With some pace in here to keep things honest upfront, let's see if she can run by them all late. 6-QUEEN IN THE NORTH comes in off the claim as she shortens up today. Her maiden score two back was a good effort as she's another that is likely to sit back early and run on in the stretch. 9-FROST WARRIOR will likely show more early speed as she has run well in her last couple. The distance could be an issue for her but it is worth giving her a chance as she has been an improving racehorse.