Handicapper Tips & Picks

This race is intriguing to open the card as there's a pair with speed and a couple of Indiana shippers. Went to 3- SHADOW BELLE with the thought that 2-MY LADY SLEW and 4-AWESOME SUNDAY have the potential to battle on the front end. The dirt starts at Indy were pretty solid and the ability to rate should put this one in a perfect spot today. 2-MY LADY SLEW has that good early speed but typically needs to get clear to win. We will see if she can beat Awesome Sunday to the top but if these two hook up it will become a battle to see who runs on in the lane. 4-AWESOME SUNDAY steps up on paper but really is a good fit in here. She dropped way down in her last as she got a confidence builder and won with ease. Now she starts to work her way back up the ladder and this is a logical step.

Now may be the right time for 1-POWERFUL MAN as he has shown some improved form recently and gets a rider change to Felix today. He has tactical speed and with the two outside runners potential to battle upfront, the ground saving trip and stalking style may benefit. 2-MISTER CHARMING may settle a bit further back early but he figures as well on the class drop. His best races have come here at Hawthorne and the weight off in the saddle should be a benefit as well. 4-KRAMDEN has shown improved recent form as well as he finds things a bit easier than he has seen of late. He will likely need that pace to chase as he should be picking off horses in the lane.

No clue what Mother Nature does but on turf or dirt, 1-PENUMBRAS MAKER figures to be tough. She is overdue for the maiden score as she has hit the board in seven of 13 lifetime starts but still searches for a win. She ran a big race in the slop in her last and might look to rate close as there's not a ton of pace in this race. 10-GUSTAVI only gets in if this one comes off the grass, but her two starts at Oaklawn were solid and she comes in off a recent bullet drill. This barn has had a fine meet and she will just need some pace to chase as well. 6-DREAM FLY makes her first start of the year and she ships in for trainer Wesley Ward. Her final speed figure of 2022 was strong and would be good enough to defeat these.

I do not like this race one bit. There's a large group of horses that could all contend for the lead and all of those same horses could give way if challenged. The two that a contested pace would set up for are a combined 2/69 lifetime, so to pick any horse with confidence is tough. For multi-race wagers I would suggest hitting the ALL button and guarantee you move on. With a chance at a price, I will select 2-SHINY SHOES with the hopes that she is ready off the layoff. She has consistent works, the ability to rate, and runs for a barn that is having a strong meet. She also has been away from the races for 7 months and could need a race. Let's see how things unfold in here. 7-SEQUAYA has run relatively well in her last couple, finishing second in both starts. She has a good work toward the return and the layoff may be beneficial. But 1/37 in the win column is tough to back on top. 4-BELLS OF JOY is the same way. She is 1/32 lifetime but also runs quite a few races to get into the money. Expect her to settle as well and run on late.

This race all comes down to if we are on the turf or not. If on, 1-DEGREE OF RISK should be very tough for a barn that always sends their runners well-intended as this one has been competitive in Southern California. He needs back to chase which could be supplied by 6-Freddy J as he will look to rally in the lane. 4-SIMPLE LOGIC battled last out but lacked a little bit of late finishing kick. He should get a good stalking trip once again as he will look to get the jump on Degree of Risk at the top of the lane. 2-SON OF GRACE has run some big races on the meet and figures in here with Tavares aboard. He's at his best on the grass but is another that will need some speed to close into.

Some may think the class drop for 6-PALACE MAGIC is a concern but it is back to the level of the claim. She ran a decent race in her last and figures to get a good stalking trip here. She may get claimed from this spot but if it comes off a victory then Chris Banks comes out ahead in the end. 5-ARCH FLYER has been solid in the last three starts. She has chased in all and just missed last out behind the speed of Helen Mae's Song. Look for a similar trip once again. 4-AUNT STELLA has some tactical speed as she may look to rate a bit closer in here today. The distance suits as Tavares picks up the mount.