Handicapper Tips & Picks

Only a couple in here with speed but it is two different types of speed as 1-JACK VAN BERG typically sends for the front while 2-OVERBEARING has the ability to rate when needed. The great equalizer may be the distance as at 6 1/2 I think Overbearing will be able to wear down Jack Van Berg. The question is what price each will be as Jack Van Berg should go off favored based on the amount of back class. If those two do hook up on the front end then 4-NOT VERY GENTLE may be sitting in a perfect spot to stalk and run on late. He turns back in distance after a pair of solid route efforts this meet and should be closing quickly in the lane.

The pace should be honest in here with Lotta Roses likely to have to send from the outside and Pretty in Prado also with speed. Thinking on the class drop and added distance that 6-HIP HOP EMMY could move up. She comes out of a quality race and also raced into some trouble in that spot from the inside draw. Look for her to settle in the second flight early and run on late with Emigh in the saddle. 4-PRETTY IN PRADO ran a solid race last out as she battled well into the stretch. The winner of that race was well meant and came back to win in her next start. Let's see if she can clear and try to wire this bunch today. If the pace is contentious it should also help 1-PRADA'S MIRACLE as she closed belatedly in her last. She makes her second start out of the meet and with a ground saving trip she should be in the mix at the top of the lane.

A pair of Hernandez horses in here but let's see if Iggy Bigs runs also. On ability, I like the chances of 3-STOPSHOPPINGAMY as she makes her third start of the meet. There looks to be a couple with speed and with the warmer temps and water on the track I expect thinks to play evenly. If that's the case she should be able to roll by in the lane. 4-ISABELLACANNETELLA has speed and has success over the track. She was favored against similar in her last start but that was a terrible price as she was grossly overbet that day. Curious to see how she is handled with the switch to Santiago in the saddle. 1-WHITE LIES makes her first start of the meet as she comes off a nice pattern of drills. She is going to need some pace to chase in this spot and Mojica has ridden well this meet. Look for a ground saving trip and see if she can come running in the lane.

Curious to see how the wagering in this spot is. There's some horses that have run decent races around two turns that could take some action but I'm really curious to see if 6-SLAVA UKRANI runs well in his return to Hawthorne. We will back Javier Tavares to the saddle as he had a solid fall meet and takes this mount. Slava Ukrani was working up a storm before heading to Indiana for his first start of the year, a disappointing sprint. Let's see if he gets hustled away for position here around two turns and can post a solid effort at a price. 5-ELECTRIC CHARGE has tactical speed and comes in off a pair of good races around two turns. He took more action in his last and was left to chase the pace the whole way around in there. If things even out today, expect him to post another solid effort. 3-ICE VORTEX makes his first start of the year as he takes the class drop off a couple of maiden races at Gulfstream last fall. The main concern coming into this spot it the one work as fitness could be a bit of an issue in here.

This is so tough because we know 5-COMISKEY PARK is going to be right there but so often he just runs second and again is going to be a short price. 4-TWIRLING ROSES loves this Hawthorne strip as seven of his eight victories have come over this track. He posted some solid efforts in New Orleans over the winter and has the tactical speed to rate close throughout. 7-LAKE MILLS steps back up to this level off an improved performance last time out. He may sit a bit further off the pace in here early but if things even out for how the track is playing, he should come running at them late.

Coming off the effort put forth by 7-WILDWOOD SICILLIAN last out, you have to give him another shot as he chased a very tough winner in Golden Hornet in that spot. He doesn't need the lead to win, and with pace to his inside I expect her rates just a couple of lengths back early and runs down the leaders in the lane. If the pace is more contentious upfront we could see 6-W W CANDY closing fastest of all late. He ran a nice race while facing tougher in his last and has had good success over this track and at the distance. He comes in off a sharp drill and appears poised for a big effort today. 1-CAN MAN DO was able to make the top in his last and never looked back, winning a first level allowance race. The start prior is the type of race I'm looking for from him today though as he rated in that spot before rallying in the lane. This is a big step up off that performance but his form is the best of his career right now.

Trying to beat the favorite in the final as I hope there's enough pace to set things up for someone to run on late. 9-FEEDING FRENZY returns after making his last start last October, running a pair of good races at this level. He has a consistent pattern of drills toward the return as he should be able to settle early and make one run in the lane. 6-POWERFUL MAN is another that will likely close ground late. He was closer last out due to the lack of pace upfront, but with more likely to be sent away early in here, he should be rating mid-pack early before looking to close in the lane. 7-FLASHY RICHIE posted an improved effort last out as he rated in the second flight and ran on evenly in the lane. Look for him to chase once again and see if he can pick off the last few late.