Handicapper Tips & Picks

Some horses that have faced off in the past meet again. Went to 1-THE LAST FACT as he has speed and both lifetime victories over this racetrack. He drops a bit in class here but could scamper away early. 2-TRIPLE CHROME has some tactical speed, finishing behind The Last Fact in a start last winter. She turned the tables on that one a bit last out and is another getting some class relief. 6-BOURBON TEDDY has the speed figures that make him worth a look in here. He was also one who showed some speed in starts last year and is five of six on the board over the track. The one concern is that he was claimed out of his last and that claim was voided. He has just one work on the slower end since that February start which leaves some questions.

Looks like a bit more pace in here, unlike last time when Troy Ounce was easily able to wire a field. With three that could head for the front, I'll give the nod to 3-GAGOOTS as he makes his first start of the meet. He was an easy winner at this level two back and comes back off a couple of workouts. Have some slight concerns about fitness but the barn is having a strong meet as this one could be ready to roll. 2-BEHAVIN MYSELF put together a nice string of races here last fall and has posted all three career wins over this Hawthorne strip. Slow starts in his last couple leave some concerns but he gets some class relief and pace to chase which could even things out. 4-KRAMDEN shifted hands a couple of times through the claim box last fall and comes back to Hawthorne after a start at Mahoning Valley last out. He has been solid at Hawthorne but will need to improve his form a bit to compete in here.

5-UNBRIDLED ANNSLEY was very impressive in victory last out as she came in fit and ready off recent Fair Grounds starts. She has tactical speed in a race that doesn't have much pace. Her last was a lifetime best mark but she could be in position to repeat that performance today. 4-SUMMER BELLE makes her first start of the meet as she has been working well toward her return. She has run well when fresh in the past and figures to take some action today. 2-THIS MASQUERADE comes in from Kentucky for her second start off the long layoff. She does have enough speed to chase early and could hang around for a share in the lane.

Really not much for early pace in here. Thinking 7-DANVILLE looks to get away from the outside and find early position. He has been good over this track and comes in off some solid starter races at Gulfstream. Let's see if he can rate close early and wear down the leaders late. 6-PERFECT WAGER is always a hard trying runner as he just missed while sprinting in his last. He is just as consistent around two turns and likely won't be too far back early today. 4-BAKENEKO drops out of an allowance test last out where he chased early before giving way into the lane. With the lack of pace in here he could easily inherit the lead, which may make him dangerous.

On figures alone, 3-CRYSTAL SNOW looks to be a standout in this spot. She has run competitively against tougher and has shown speed from outside draws in three of her last four starts. If she can shake loose from the inside today they may never catch her. 5-SONG OF AMERICA is another that takes a class drop into here as she also has some early speed. She comes out of a key race as Mendrel won in a near track-record time before being sold for a large sum off that victory. This spot is much easier as the top two could follow each other around every step of the way. 6-LUNARCHY also takes the class drop as she entered in Indiana but chooses to stay home for this race. She will need pace to chase but if the top two duel early, she may get the setup she needs in the end.

Really nice allowance field in here as there could be a good amount of early pace. Thinking the quickest of the quick is 7-FEVER NATION as he comes off a big victory here in his first start of the meet. With the outside draw, he may be able to force the inside speed horses to make their choice early but it was his effort from just off the pace in the Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity last winter that shows he has some versatility. 2-UNCASHED is one of a pair in here from the Rivelli barn as those two draw the inside. He's been away since last October but is working well toward the return as he makes his three-year-old debut. 4-SWISS GUARD showed a big improvement in his last as he got onto an extended early lead and never looked back. We will see if he is sent away again early here and if he can sustain the speed he showed in his last.

A really competitive field closes out the card as the lightly raced 4-CAT ROYALE gets the nod in here. She has good tactical speed and figures to rate just off the early pace. Her works are solid as she is another Boyce horse that could be sitting on a good performance. 7-WILDWOOD DREAMER has speed and will likely head for the top. She was pushed every step in her last and gave way late. Let's see if she can shake loose early in here. 3-TIME BREAK is another with tactical speed who is winless at the track but has found the board in 6 of 9 starts. Look for her to rate close along with Cat Royale and try to run on late.