Handicapper Tips & Picks

Not a ton of pace in this spot as I gave the nod to 5-KITTY MACLEAN in here. She runs for the Granitz barn, who has been solid with every horse they have shipped in. She ran a good second last out and will take action once again. 2-JUDY'S MS. OFFICER figures to rate and look to run on late. She was a good winner two back and ran well just behind Kitty Maclean last out. If the pace is contested, it will benefit her in the end. 4-SOTRMY EMPIRE has done her best running over this track. She figures to settle mid-pack early but her recent drills off the layoff show she could be ready for a big effort.

Hard to determine what to do with Bourbon Spirit as this one takes the plunge for trainer Brad Cox. I'll look for the upset and go with 6-GALLANT BUCK as he figures to show speed and contend the entire way. He gets some class relief into here and may be able to shake loose and never look back. 3-BALADINE could be in a tracking spot behind the leader as he looks to chase the entire way. He comes out of a race against tougher as well and figures to take his share of action. 2-BOURBON SPIRIT is the question mark as he ships in for Cox. He had an excellent start to his career before tailing off in his last couple. His most recent race wasn't terrible though but this is quite the plunge into today's race.

An extremely tough race for this level as the are so many classy runners in here. 11yo 4-NYOMAN has won 22 times on his career and 12 times over this track. He has some tactical speed and has been great at six furlongs. 5-Z U SOON ran a nice race last out as he closed well from the outside. He's another that has run well at Hawthorne and should get ample pace to chase. 3-D'ARCHER is one of those with speed who grabbed a pair of wins earlier in the meet. Trainer Vance Childers has had a good last week and this one has been a great fit with Santiago in the saddle.

Weather will dictate if we are on or off the grass. If on turf, the price on 6-MAGNA MASSA will be better, but even if off the grass, the horse merits a look. She has faced so much tougher in recent starts as the big class plunge makes her a major factor. 2-SUNSET PAYNTER likely needs the turf as her figures on grass are stronger. She has some tactical speed and could tuck in right behind what looks to be a contested pace. 1-MOVE IT BABY welcomes the return back to turf as she figures to wing it from the inside. Let's see if she has company in here.

Hard to determine what to do off one career start, but 6-SAWYER FOX could be ready off the bench in here. He debuted in stakes-company last December and showed some early foot before tiring. He has since has some time off to mature and comes in with a pair of bullet drills at Keeneland. Expect a big return effort. 4-GOD GUNS N GUTS has run a pair of solid races and should be rating close early.   He didn't face the toughest of company in his last though but still posted a decent figure for a barn having a solid meet. 1-J J'S SOLUTION is overdue for the maiden score but has run races good enough to win. He tends to rate and rally on the dirt but gets a strong finisher in Lezcano in the saddle.

An incredibly tough race as any in here have a chance. 6-SOUL COAXING has been competitive at this level in the pace and has enough tactical speed to rate close early while the pacesetters battle on the lead. The 1st and 2nd place finishers of his last start both came back to win their next races as he may be sitting on a big race while at a good price. 7-GUN RUSH looks for his sixth victory in a row as he has speed but may have company upfront. Let's see if he looks to clear or chooses to rate today. 5-JEFF THE LION will hope the Gun Rush and Moment push things along upfront as he figures to settle and close in the lane. Let's see how he handles the class hike today.