Handicapper Tips & Picks

Turf could be the deciding factor for many in here as a race remaining on the turf benefits a few over others. 4-ICE SHARD is one of those. His turf route two races back was easily the best race of his career. He may look to get into the race a bit earlier today and then come running in the lane. 7-EVEN THE WIND is going to take a good amount of action as his last three on the grass have all been solid. He's another that may look to get into the race a bit sooner as he picks up a strong finisher in the saddle in Emigh. 3-REGIMENTAL gets the bug Rodriguez in the saddle, who has ridden this turf well. He has taken action in his last three as he runs for a barn that has had a solid last couple of weeks.

There's a lot of early speed in this race, but the speed of 2-TIMEHASCOME is a different kind of speed compared to that of the others in this field. He showed the ability to battle through the wire when headed in starts three and four back and prevailing for wins. The last couple have come against tougher company but with the class drop into here, he may be sitting on a big race. 1-SWISS GUARD may benefit from the veteran Emigh in the saddle. He has speed but has to know that there are others who may be quicker early. If he can settle early, he should be able to pick off runners that are coming back to the field in the lane. 5-SANTINO'S FANTASY may not be up to par with some others in here in regards to speed figures but he may have the running style that suits this bunch. He has had a good meet and figures to rate 3-4 lengths back early and look to move into the lane.

While the record on paper may not show it, 1-TWO WORLDS could be a better route horse than sprinter. His first start of the meet at a mile 70 was an excellent effort and his race at this distance last fall was sneaky good.  The barn is solid, the race pace may be right and a perfect stalking trip could become a winning trip. 2-MOMENT figures to show speed as he wheels back 10 days off a good effort when in for the optional $40k. He loves this track, having never missed the board in ten Hawthorne starts, he is good at the distance and has had another fine season. Let's see how much action he takes at the windows in this spot. 6-DANVILLE comes back with a good amount of time between starts. He will be hoping for a contested pace upfront as he figures to rate in the second flight and move forwardly in the lane. If you get close to the morning line on him, he may be worth a play.

There's going to be some pace in this race with the presence of Chopper but this is interesting due to the movement of numerous horses at different levels. I like that 1-SOUPER FORTUNE is turning back to the sprint after a couple of routes while facing tougher. The fact that Colon chose this runner over another solid horse in Idea Man only flatters his chances. I expect her rates in the second flight early and comes running in the lane. 3-PERFECT WAGER is interesting in here as well. He has had past Hawthorne success at higher class levels and comes out of a race at Fanduel against much tougher. I expect he improves in here. 4-CHICKS FOR FREE ran at this level last out and ran a solid race. He closed with a rush and just ran out of real estate. The added 16th should help as he's another that figures to benefit from the pace in this race.

This looks to be a really solid field of juvenile turfers as hopefully we can remain on the grass. 7-RIETTA runs for the hot Boyce barn as she has a good pattern of drills and is bred nicely to handle the grass. She's an Illinois-bred facing open company so the intent to race for the bonus purse money is clearly here as well. 3-YODA GLITZ is also bred for the turf as she may be a bit overlooked with some of the others in this field. Her gate drill on July 19 shows that she may have some early speed as she picks up the 10 lbs. bug in the saddle. 2-KENWICK ships in from Kentucky for this spot, a move that trainer Eoin Harty has had success with throughout this meet. She has trained solely on the poly at Turfway so the move to turf for the debut looks to be very logical.

A really solid field closes out the card on the turf as there appears to be a good amount of pace in this race. 2-PROTONIC POWER may get the right pace setup ahead of him as he comes off a sneaky good race on the dirt in his last. He is still looking for his first win of the year but his last victory came over this course and Emigh looks to be a solid fit in the saddle. 1-SAILING SOLO has speed and also has a lot of heart. He's been right there in all three starts since coming back off the long layoff and looks to be turf only. This is his best distance and the inside draw may allow for him to get the jump on some others in this field. 3-POWER THROUGH also has speed but did show the ability to rate last time out. That was a good win in his first start back off a lengthy layoff as he also runs at his best career distance. As long as he avoids getting into an early pace battle with Sailing Solo, he could be a factor the entire way.