Handicapper Tips & Picks

A very competitive race kicks off the Thursday card on what looks to be a beautiful day for racing. Timehascome looks to show speed stepping up off the win and the claim which may put 2-IRONMAN RICHIE in a perfect stalking position. He won from just off the pace on March 23 and may get that same trip once again. 1-TRIPLE CHROME was very unlucky last out as the timing off the gate springing coincided with him rearing badly at the start. Toss that race out. He has tactical speed and comes from a barn that will have him ready. 3-BOURBON TEDDY is hoping to move forward off his last, a spot where he just raced evenly. He will need some pace to chase ahead of him but could be charging home in the lane.

The 5 1/2 furlong distance makes this race very intriguing as at three quarters I probably would have put 6-BAREFOOTBOOLEGGER on top and at 5 furlongs I would have picked 4-CHOPPER to wire the field. With the distance in between those two, it may set up perfectly for 3-HATCHET CREEK. He ran a solid race at three quarters in his last but was run down late. 5 furlongs three races back appeared to be just a bit too short. The race two back at this distance was a solid one where he was left to chase the lone speed. Things may be a bit more contested upfront in here as he should settle just off the pace and come charging late. 6-BAREFOOTBOOTLEGGER was one I selected last out and he didn't disappoint. He was well rated and charged home in the lane. I expect a similar trip here but the question is if he will have enough real estate to close in time. 4-CHOPPER is all or nothing on the front end. He is going to be sent. I expect he clears but the final 16th could do him in. Let's see how far he can carry his speed.

A short field of state-bred maidens and 5-BE ME BESTIE just looks to be a standout in this spot. She has improved in each start and looks to be able to win either on the front end or from just off the pace. 3-FREEDOM ATTACK was fourth in races that Be My Bestie was second in for starts two and three back. She figures in here but will need the pace to fall apart for her to run by late. 2-GO ON GIRL is intriguing as she steps up off being claimed for just $7,500 last December. This is the perfect spot to do it as she catches a short field and has speed. Her best shot to win is to be sent to the front and see how far she can carry her speed.

Possibly a shot to catch an upset as there's horses in here with mixed form that will take a lot of action. Gave the nod to 1-WICKED SUPRISE as I hope the turn back in distance is enough to wake him back up. The starts three and four races back we solid and he may get some pace to chase today. 2-STAN THE CAMERAMAN has been knocking on the door and has speed to contend. He's probably the most consistent runner in the field but is going to take a good amount of action as well. 6-SANTINO'S FANTASY comes in from a tough Oaklawn meet but merits a look for a top barn. Let's see if the venue change and class relief wake him up.

Two Perez runners in here with a shot but I preferred the effort out of the horse that will be the longer price last time out. 4-GUST OF WIND raced at this level last out and was one of only a few horses to close significant ground that day. It came at 5 1/2 furlongs and the added 16th has to help his chances in here. 2-RUSSIAN HAMMER looked to be a standout to me last out and he disappointed as he sat closer early but has nothing for the lane. The was a field that I didn't feel was very strong either. The class drop will help but I expect he takes a lot of action in here. 1-EYE ON DESSERT debuts for Berndt and while I don't like the rail for first timers, I feel the horse is well placed and has to be considered. He gets Lasix for this spot and let's get a look at him in the paddock prior to the race and see if he takes any action.

Very little in regards to early pace in  this spot as 5-COUGAR should have little issue finding the lead. She has run well in her two starts this meet and likely won't have to work hard to make the top. Let's see if she can back things down early and kick away late. 3-ON A TOUR likes this Hawthorne strip but is going to need some pace to chase. She comes out of a race against much tougher in her last and gets back to her best distance as well. 1-NO NANNETTE NO was claimed out of her last and moves back to a two turn event. She may have enough tactical speed to get into the mix early with the lack of pace in here. Curious to see how much action she takes at the windows.

Nobody really stands out in this spot but I think it is worthy of searching for a price as I'll look to 3-FREE LOVE in here as she makes her first start of the meet. She's gone two turns in her last three but stopped badly in her last at Mahoning Valley. I think that with the turn back to the sprint, and some pace to chase upfront, she should be able to settle and rally in the lane. 1-AWESOME SUNDAY is one of those with speed as the class relief could be beneficial in here. Her race two back was good before she headed to Indiana and wasn't able to run on with that bunch. She's a good fit in here. 4-JUDY'S MS. OFFICER has had a lot of chances to pick up her second win but has yet to do it. She gets the benefit of returning to Hawthorne, where she has her only victory, as she will likely rate just off the pace and look to get the jump on the closers.

This is a really good allowance bunch as trainer Gary Scherer has 7-UNIFIED DREAMS in here, fresh off the claim in New Orleans. He has speed and won on the front end in his last. He doesn't need the lead to win though and could settle just off the pace and wait to move in the lane. Two works over the track benefit his chances as we welcome Lindey Wade back to the Hawthorne jock's room. 6-HIGH BROW loves this Hawthorne track, having never run worse than second in eight starts around the oval. He just missed in his last to a game winner in Moment and is likely to get a very similar trip from the second flight once again in here. 8-BEN DREAMING comes in off a good victory at Oaklawn in his last as he also has tactical speed to rate close. He has improved since adding Lasix and removing the blinkers as he seems to be maturing with each start.

This is another spot where trainer Jimmy DiVito has a well placed runner as 4-WINNEMAC AVENUE looks to be sitting in a great spot off a good maiden effort at Oaklawn last out. He has enough speed to get into the mix early as he was working well going into his last race and posted an improved effort in that spot. 3-MINNESOTA MOON has speed and improved with the addition of blinkers last out. I expect he gets sent away again in here but there may be some other speed to contend with. 1-MERLOTTI stretches out in here as he has raced well in a pair of sprints. He is bred to run all day and may be overlooked with some of the other contenders in this spot.