Handicapper Tips & Picks

#5 RENEGADE BOB returning to make their second start of the meet in what appeared a PREP at the higher claiming level (and 219-day layoff) back on April 9^th. Arrieta will also be back aboard and was the win rider on August 5^th.

#4 NOT VERY GENTLE also returns with a rider change and seems the right move given the TACTIC- on April 16^th that along with the race dynamic (X_FLOW/VS O4S) might have cost this horse a better finishing position if not the race.

Following the rider change trend, #1 JACK VAN BERG reunites with Orlando Mojica (hot rider) and the rider that was aboard for their second place finish here back in November. Current form puts them in the mix, though value must still be considered on the class drop. That carries to #2 OVERBEARING another coming in with form and figures on par, with the barn on the colder side, though did pick up their first win this meet with Protomagic as the race favorite (with Centeno aboard) on the Thursday (4/27) card. 

#1 PRADA’S MIRACLE was given an EX – EXCUSE on April 2^nd with the combination of the WEATHER conditions, poor TACTIC- and still made up ground to CLOSE and record a BTL effort behind, open length (and next out) winner, Unbridled Annsley. #2 PRETTY IN PRADO the place finisher from that common race was unable to match strides with the winner and rode the profile (stretch tough to make up ground on) to hold place.

#6 HIP HOP EMMY will make a lateral class change to land here in this second career start. Going back to her debut, she showed run while GREEN and despite the running line and finishing position. The visuals from that effort suggest she has more to show (PREP/TACTIC-) and could even handle the added ground with the GALLOP+ to add fitness.

#2 TEXAS PRINCESS shows up for the live Cristel barn and from the two Turfway Park sprints stretches out and shifts to the dirt for this race. The debut on March 15^th was not overly productive though did see a pair of runners move up shipping out to race on the dirt; and another picking up a maiden claiming win on Wednesday (4/26) at HS Indy from the March 30th event.

Mojica will jump back aboard for Witthauer sending out #5 HURRYANDBYE noting these two teamed up with upset 19-1 winner, Raceday Attire earlier this meet - the barn also sending out Prancipants picking up the win on the Thursday card. As far as HURRYUPANDBYE, she has the potential to move up in this second start and with the rider change though has her challenges with the distance change, stepping up in class and running here against older horses with the quick turnaround. 

#3 STOPSHOPPING AMY returns to the right level in statebred company. She recorded a B OptixGRADE and BTL effort that was too good to lose here back on March 23^rd. The change in class, the rise all around and in against open was not the right spot for her and to her credit still turned in a solid effort behind a nice filly called, Sharp Hero.

#4 ISABELLACANNETELLA has a subtle trip racing tight (SCARED) inside contesting (DUEL) the pace back on March 23^rd. She should move up off that race and in this second start off the layoff. She has form at this level including a win at this level back on December 10, 2021 – a second off the layoff timing race.

#6 RONAN has been just a touch below the “winning” race needed at this level though her B- OptixGRADE race under similar conditions back on November 25^th puts her right back in for a share today. She is another making a second start back off the layoff and returning from the April 13^th race, a race run on a day it was tough to make up ground with the pacesetters finishing 1-2, minimal change in running order and place finisher, Seaward coming back to win here on Sunday’s card at 8-1.

#1 WHITE LIES returned off the layoff one year to the date last year recording a solid 80 OptixFIG and place finish that day. She was able to hold her form from the spring through the summer before returning here in the fall with declining speed figures before the layoff. A top effort has her as a contender though that effort can be tougher to project returning from the layoff and now as a six year-old. The layoff is also in play for #2 IGGY BIGS taking this spot rather than the allowance (against her stablemate Long Tall Woman) and could all around require a race, though worth following the board for clues. 

#2 AUNT STELLA could be overlooked in here and from the distant fourth place (open length pacesetting winner, Princella Stella) on April 9^th. She was claimed out of that race by Meraz and from Sullivan, a barn that has been cold with their runners so far this season and noted showing up where with #1 ALL AMERICAN JEWEL.

The subtle change in distance could assist #5 SNOOTY here as one that has the tendency to lack finish (Circle) though shows up with tactical speed and form/fitness from the races here this season. Returning here to show that early foot should keep the pace pressure on both #4 FROST WARRIOR and #6 FOGGY KITTEN. 

The surface/distance might not be the ideal for #5 GHAALEB’S MAGIC here though can be upgraded on OptixPLOT (Large Square) at the right number on the board. 

Perez will send out a pair in this race and the new face with #1 BLACK RUSSIAN, making their stateside debut returning from the layoff and first start in blinkers to suggest intent. As far as #3 ICE VORTEX, they return from the 217-day layoff and out of a 9/25 Gulfstream race that has not been productive, as every horse from that race (other than the winner) is still maiden eligible. In addition, they are a four-year-old and have two vet scratches (10/28 and 2/20) since that race last summer.

#5 ELECTRIC CHARGE is a logical type with their form/figures this season and in terms of class is technically a step up though a similar race par/OFR to April 2^nd. #2 HIGHLY UNLIKELY has the benefit of local form and foundation returning under similar conditions from April 9^th when running against the track profile that was tough to make up ground on and to their credit showed late interest and GALLOP+ after the wire.

#7 CALICO JOE does present more on the “TURF” side physically, though capable on the dirt and could catch the right group going back to a competitive, albeit flow-aided place finish here back on May 7^th.

#8 FABRICATOR exits a more productive race with recency on March 11^th at Turfway Park. In terms of distance they are unproven at a route of ground, noting the route back on 12/31 was against Special Weight and class playing a bigger role than distance that day. Number wise #6 SLAVA UKRAINI is softer though could project upside in this second start back off the layoff and with the class change. They have been running against Special Weight company since the November 11^th debut and had some subtle excuses in those races last year. 

#4 TWIRLING ROSES returns to Hawthorne, a course that arguably is their preferred given the race record and success. They will be put to the test returning here at this allowance level noting their prior success was in at a lower level and must step up to the competitive while figures fits. His current form coming into this race is okay though should be noted he has run without a break since his second start back in March of 2021.

#5 COMISKEY PARK is almost the opposite, a horse that has proven allowance form but still one that is looking for that win and “winning/B” effort. Value should side with #6 ON K P of the pair exiting the common race with Comiskey Park on April 6^th and keying off a competitive race over this course distance back on December 30^th. The connections return here after failing to draw into an allowance turf sprint on April 21^st at Keeneland.

#1 SONNYISNOTSOFUNNY has found his top form as of late for Reavis. He will be class tested, in this spot and returning to Hawthorne in allowance company, though as a Quad II Square above the ParLine on OptixPLOT is upgraded in this field and with today's race dynamic. 

Looking at a "new face" #3 WEST WARPATH fits this condition and with some back class to compete at this allowance condition. While they have had their recent success in claiming company those races were in Kentucky in contentious events, race par and purse similar to today’s condition. 

#6 W W CANDY earned a follow (PREP) returning on March 30^th and showing run in that race and competitive, B- OptixGRADE/93 OptixFIG on the day. They are one that requires pace to close into (Quad IV Square) though could have that scenario here given the “Fire” Contention on OptixPLOT.

#7 WILDWOOD SICILIAN could hold the edge of that Quad I/III group returning from the WIDE trip place finish earning a B- OptixGRADE/95 OptixFIG at this level on April 6^th. #5 MALPAIS also holds competitive races at this level and here at Hawthorne throughout their career. They are getting older and returning to top form is still something they must show. They also have been able to show some RunStyle versatility and that could assist here with many, especially those to their inside, runners that have shown a “need the lead” to win. 

#3 ZARMAE should be sitting on a peak race (IMPROVE) today as the third start back off the layoff with progressive form and figures at the level. They will also return with a rider change and that appears to suggest intent given the ride/TACTIC- on April 13^th. Their stablemate #6 POWERFUL MAN is more “obvious” of the two earning the place finish that day, though not as obvious on race day sent off at 47-1.

#5 BLOOMING GARDEN returns with a key rider change as Mojica takes over today. They will also return with class relief and in the right spot to compete as the races from December 30^th and April 2^nd were contested at a higher level. The class drop and rider change should have them forwardly placed, a trip and effort similar to their race winning here on December 4^th. Pace wise they will likely have to contend with others including #8 WILDWOOD’S WARRIOR, a horse that will be stepping up in class of a new top and win just last week.

#7 FLASHY RICHIE looked to be well-intended on April 13^th with the class drop and in the second start off the layoff. They did have some TRAFFIC and slightly against the profile, though still ran one-paced/PLODDY and needed to show more. They can be upgraded should they get overlooked on the board.

#9 FEEDING FRENZY will give up some recency returning from the layoff, though is returning under the right conditions for their abilities keying off their October races last season, recording B- OptixGRADE in both starts and could be overlooked off those run lines and finishing positions.