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Wed August 30th, 2023 |
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Jim's Picks
Hawthorne Race 1
Post Time 2:30 PM CST
Seems to be a good amount of pace in this race. Hopefully things set up for 3-NOT VERY GENTLE to rate and run on late. He does step up a bit in here but has been solid most of the season. He was hung wide in his last but should get a better trip today. 6-POKER PLAY comes in from Iowa for this start as he has speed. He has the potential to be the quickest to the lead and could get brave if he makes the top. Good speed jock in Santiago in the saddle benefits as well. 8-BLOOD MOON is one that comes out of a much tougher race last out. He chased before tiring in the lane but they went very quick in there. Expect him to settle here early and move forwardly in the stretch.
Hawthorne Race 2
Post Time 2:57 PM CST
1-ROGER MCQUEEN was in quite tough in his last two. He held his own against a very solid racehorse in Shackleford Strong last out, running step for step with that one until mid stretch. Things are a bit easier here as he figures to stalk the leaders and move forwardly in the lane. 4-ROCKET HOTSHOT will be hoping for some pace to chase. He was claimed off a victory in his last and gets the bug rider in the saddle. I slight improvement off that effort puts him in the mix once again. 8-LAKE MILLS closed in a race that had a ton of pace last out. Although winless on the year, he has been facing much tougher. Expect him to come running in the lane.
Hawthorne Race 3
Post Time 3:24 PM CST
Not a ton of pace in this race as 2-SLAVA UKRAINI has the potential to show speed and never look back. He was a good winner on the dirt two races back and could clear and never look back. 7-G T FIVE HUNDRED stretches back out as he comes off the layoff into this spot. It was a good sprint effort in his last and he could get a good tracking trip in here. 4-ICE BLAST was claimed off a front running score two back. That was was a bit deceiving though as there was not much along the lines of pace in that race. Expect him to settle back early and come running in the lane.
Hawthorne Race 4
Post Time 3:51 PM CST
I really liked the effort last out from 5-IMPULSIVENESS as he faced a solid field in Kentucky on the grass and held his own. He has run well in his last two and has the turf intentions the majority of his career. The breeding is solid and I expect a strong closing move in the lane. 6-LAWMAKER has tactical speed as he figures to rate just off the pace and move forwardly in the lane. He raced into some early traffic in his last but recovered to run evenly as he chased through the lane. Without much pace early in here, he shouldn't be too far back at any point. 1-MONSTERONTHEMIDWAY will likely be closing from a bit further back in this spot. His last two have been solid as well but he turns back to the mile and may need to get started early.
Hawthorne Race 5 - PLAY OF THE DAY
Post Time 4:18 PM CST
That was a really strong effort that 8-RICHIESONAROLL put forth last out. He chased a very fast pace that day with a well intended winner. He goes an extra 16th today but should be able to possibly clear in here as there isn't the same amount of early pace upfront. 4-CORTESE was claimed for $50k last November and then was away from the races for eight months. He has come back and run well, showing signs of improvement in his second start off the rest. Don't be surprised if he continues that progression in here. 7-TWIRLING ROSES loves this track, winning seven times in 17 starts. The distance suits as well. The only concern is that there's not a ton of pace for him to chase as he may have to rate a bit closer early.
Hawthorne Race 6
Post Time 4:45 PM CST
A little bit of rain could be beneficial to the turf course and also to 7-MCMONEY as the course has held speed well of late. He ran a solid race at 7 1/2 furlongs last out but looks to benefit from the added eighth of a mile today. There should be enough pace to chase as he figures to settle early and close well late. 1-SIMPLE LOGIC has been the heavy favorite in five straight, but has been the runner-up in the last four. He's always right there but has lacked some of the necessary finishing kick. He's going to take a ton of action again but will need to finish as Emigh is back in the saddle. 5-DANCE SOME MO is one of those with speed as he may be the fastest of the group early. If he is able to clear and run uncontested through the opening half, there's potential for him to get brave and continue on in the lane.
Hawthorne Race 7
Post Time 5:12 PM CST
I like that Felix gets back aboard 5-BORN AGAIN GEORGE is I felt he rode him well two back. He was much more assertive early in that spot and with the other Pat Clay runner in here, he should get a perfect tracking trip. He likes this track and may sneak off at a bit of a price. 8-PERFECT WAGER comes out of a tough race in his last but he ran well as he ran on in the lane. If another goes with Wildwood Secret early, it will help for his closing move. 1-SONNYISNOTSOFUNNY has been disappointing this meet as he now makes his second start at this level. He appears to be one that was going to be competitive at the allowance level but just never hit his stride. He was claimed out of his last and remains at this level which may not be a great sign.