Handicapper Tips & Picks

Competitive race to open the card. Think there may be price potential with 2-RUSSIAN STANDARD as he posted an improved effort on the grass last out and should welcome the added distance. There should be enough pace to chase and we may still get a decent price on the class drop. 4-MONSTERONTHEMIDWAY ran well at this level back on June 7 and has just been waiting to get back on the grass. He's another that will benefit from some pace to chase as he picks up Esquivel in the saddle. 5-ELECTRIC CHARGE ran well in a race taken off the grass last out. He has the ability to rate a bit closer early as he figures to take some action in here off a string of consistent performances.

Going to be really right or really wrong here. To me this race looks like it has a good amount of early pace in it. Because of that I'm leaning on runners to come from a bit off the pace. 2-BLOW TORCH won't be way back in this spot but shouldn't be on the lead either. he comes in off a solid effort in Iowa in his last and this barn has had a good meet here at Hawthorne. 3-PLAUSIBLE DENILE also figures to rate and rally. He chased in Kentucky last out but looks to be better in a stalking spot. Let's see if he can repeat his performance from his maiden score three races back. 4-DASH TO THE CASH had a good maiden win two back and competed with open-allowance runners in his last. He's the one that will need the pace to chase but I expect he is picking off horses late.

Not a ton in regards to early pace in this race which could help the chances of 5-IRONMAN RICHIE. He has been consistent throughout the season and is at his best when running from just off the pace. He was in a stretch battle last out and just got unlucky at the wire as he lost a head bob. Expect him to compete in here once again. 1-SANTINO'S FANTASY takes the logical step up off a nice victory last out. He doesn't want or need the lead but also won't be too far back. If he repeats his last performance he could win right back. 6-TEA WITH LEMON was also a solid winner last out. He's been sharp this meet as well and doesn't appear to need to do much in between starts. Look for him to figure in the mix late.

Much like race two, this is another spot where there seems to be quite a bit of early pace. 5-SONO GRATO was claimed for just $8,000 out of a start two back at Oaklawn. He closed up some ground in his last while sprinting but seems to be a better fit around two turns. The main concern is the reasoning for the class plunge to the spot where he was claimed but if he can get back to some of those races from earlier in the year I expect he is tough in here. 6-EMPTY HOLSTER doesn't like to win but he also has the running style that suits. The stretch back out in distance should benefit his chances as he will come running in the lane. 4-FLYING SAMURAI figures to be dismissed in the betting but he posted a much improved effort while at a nice price last out. If he can repeat that race he could contend for the top spot.

2-GUSTAVI was entered as a MTO on Sunday but scratched from there for this spot which looks to be a good move as she figures to go favored. She faced two tough fields at Oaklawn earlier in the year and has worked well toward her return. Expect a solid effort in here. 7-IT'S MAGIC posted a nice debut effort at Ellis as she settled mid-pack early and was closing some ground in the lane. We will see if there's enough pace to chase but on paper it appears they will be moving upfront early. 1-ANGEL EXPRESS is one of those with speed as she comes off a pair of turf races to open her career. She comes in off a bullet drill into this spot and picks up Esquivel in the saddle.

Really good field with a decent amount of pace in this race. If things unfold the right way, 2-NOTARY should be able to settle in just behind the early pace and come running in the lane. It was a good win last time and only a slight step up off that victory. Expect another good performance today. 6-EMPIRE BUILDER is is bred to run all day and was really solid in a pair of starts on the meet. This barn has had a tremendous meet but the question is how much pace pressure he will face in this spot. 4-BUCK MOON also has speed but doesn't have to make the top to win. He won a take with a good stalking trip at Fonner two back but when you look at all of his starts, he's either upfront early or within a length.

A really competitive race to close out the card with a large turf field.  Looking to 11-KINGSBURRY ATTACK as he drops back down off a decent effort on the grass in his last. This mile distance may suit him nicely as there's enough pace to chase for his closing move from the outside. 6-BAILEYS RUN makes his first start of the year as he has been training in Indiana throughout the spring and summer. He does take a class drop on the return but could get a perfect stalking trip. 8-LAWMAKER was a good winner in his last turf start. He stayed in last out when the race came off the grass but was compromised with a poor start. Let's see if he bounces back here with the return to the grass.