Handicapper Tips & Picks

If it doesn't happen in here is it ever going to happen? This is the easiest 3-BE MY BESTIE will see on the grass and she will provide no value. She has speed to clear, she has the preferred distance and she should be a single for Pick 5 players to open the day. 6-GETOUTOFMYKITCHEN ran her best career race on the grass last summer in Minnesota. She may be the one to push Be My Bestie upfront but it is likely that she is racing for second money. 2-BONITA D'ORO hasn't shown much in two starts but those were both against better and both were last year as a 2yo. She has consistent works toward her return and may have matured a bit with the time away.

This would be the type of race that 4-CHOPPER wins. He has one style, send and see how far your speed carries you. There's not much to challenge him upfront in this spot so we will see if the 5 1/2 furlongs is too far or if he can hang on late. 5-IDEA MAN is likely to rate back early and come running in the lane. He had a good win at a similar level three starts back and just needs enough pace to chase. 1-CHICKS FOR FREE takes the class drop as he comes back to a track where he's had success. He will also need some pace upfront to close into but should be coming quickly in the lane.

Chance to pull off a bit of an upset here as 1-BIA BOLT RUNNER gets back to the grass. Her best races have come on the turf but those were last fall in Indiana. She's been away since March but there looks to be intent with the ship here to Hawthorne for this spot. 7-LOTTA ROSES got the maiden score on the grass and appears to be in the best form of her career. She has some tactical speed and should be able to settle just off the early pace and come running in the lane. 5-SUMMMER BELLE drops back down to the level where she just missed on the dirt two back. She was in the mix well into the lane on the turf last out and should be pushing things along upfront in here.

5-SHACKLEFORD STRONG has been so good on the meet and figures to be a solid threat once again. He has good tactical speed as he should be close up the entire way in here. He's run this distance once, a winning effort, and figures to take his share of action today. 6-TWO WORLDS is one that will likely head for the top as he could have the most early speed. He returns to Hawthorne after training in Kentucky but fits nicely in here. 3-FIRST MASAMUNE could be the sleeper at a price. We typically see him around two turns but he has gone 6 1/2 furlongs four times in his career, never missing the board. 

Trainer Chris Block has a couple of live horses in here as I'll give the nod to 9-I'M BOX OFFICE. She draws the outside as the short run into the first turn may force her to get away for early position. She has worked well since her maiden score and figures to be solid once again. 6-FREE LOVE is the unknown and she has speed but has never run on the grass. If she is able to shake loose early she may never look back, but she will have to answer the question of how she will handle the grass. 5-WANDA STRONG just missed at this distance earlier this meet. She was claimed from that start but the claim was voided and she has since stayed in allowance conditions. She figures to sit back early and run on late but her turf tries are solid and she will take some action.

It appears there's a lot of speed in here as the 5 1/2 furlongs could be a perfect distance for 4-GRAND HIDEAWAY. He rallied for the win last out while at a nice price and should be able to rate 3-4 lengths back early before looking to rally in the lane. 7-CHANNEL WON has some versatility as the break may dictate his position. He closed in a pair of turf tries in Minnesota but had some efforts last summer on the turf where he showed speed and hung around late.