Handicapper Tips & Picks

Trainer Lilia Gonzalez has had a fine meet and done so with some price horses. She has 1-GOTTA B KITTEN ME in here as she takes the class drop. The recent races have shown signs of improvement and while sprinting she may rate and rally. Let's see if she gets enough pace to chase. 3-HIP HOP EMMY has speed as she made the top in her last and contended well into the lane. She did tire late but now shortens up a 16th as that could make the difference. 6-EVIE JEAN has tactical speed as she was a good winner two back and ran well in her last. She has been in the best form of her career this year and merits a look.

The pace in here is going to be quick and contentious. Let's see if it sets up for the closers. Huge Rodriguez has two entered as I'll look to the longer price and go with 4-GOOD MONGOLIA on top. She has run well at this distance this meet and was closing late in her last. Maybe she can upset in here. 3-GET NONE has been a turf specialist and may have needed her last. She makes the second start off the layoff as she should be flying in the lane. 6-JUJU'S SPECIALGIRL needs to avoid a pace battle upfront as she could tuck in just behind and close in the lane. She battled in her last and picks up Esquivel today.

Two in here from the Rodriguez barn as 5-SISTER KISSES comes in off the claim in Kentucky. She raced well in her debut and was taken for $16k. She takes a logical step up in class here as she should be able to stalk the pace and pounce in the lane. 2-MAGNA MASSA is another that will likely get a good tracking trip. She ran well on the grass last out and has battled this meet as she looks for her first win on the year. 3-HEAVENLY SCENT has speed and may be quick enough to make the lead. If she is able to clear, she could potentially never look back.

Looks like it is the move to win, and maybe get claimed, with 1-STAR ON THE MAP. He clearly had some issues as he was claimed back at Arlington in 2021 and came back this meet after a lengthy layoff. A rider change on the class drop as Lezcano figures to send for the top and look to wire this field. 6-JACKPOT BOY has been clunking into the mix of late and could again as the added 16th will benefit him. He is going to need pace to chase though and there isn't much of it in here. 3-CHERRY ORCHARD will likely be chasing as he has run some decent races on the meet. He has lacked finish though as he tends to run evenly in the lane.

Like the move to bring 2-SPEED WARNING in as he has run well in turf sprints and finds a nice spot today. He has enough speed to tuck in just off the leaders and get the jump on the closers in the lane. 5-SAWYER FOX ran a nice race in victory on the dirt last out and should be forwardly placed in here. Let's see how he handles the grass as he comes back in after training in Kentucky. 6-PLAUSIBLE DENILE also could be one that rates close as he shifts to the grass as well. It was a solid effort two back but he disappointed a bit in his last. Wouldn't be surprised if we see some speed with Weatherly in the saddle.

Trainer Coty Rosin has had a fine meet as he sends 6-BLOW TORCH out in this spot. He ran solid races in his last two as he chased a strong winner last out. Look for him to sit back in the second flight and come running in the lane. 3-LYKAN will be coming from a bit further back as he makes his second start for the new connections. He closed down the center of the lane in his last but was just left with too much work to do. He's worth a look though as he could sneak off at a decent price. 1-WEST WARPATH has enough speed to contend as he should be able to get a good early position and run on late. The distance suits and the price should be right.

Some turf sprint specialists in here as 1-REAL NEWS comes off a good effort last out. He settled back in there and closed behind a solid winner. There's not the same type of early pace in here though as he should rate closer and rally late. 6-SMOKIN RICHIE has the speed but he was left to chase in his last. He should be the one to make the top today as his best races come on the front end. 4-LAND MARK DEAL closed nicely last out after a slow start. If he can get away a bit better today, he should be able to rate closer early and contend late.

3-READTHECLIFFNOTES is the horse for the course as he has won 10 times at Hawthorne. He has tactical speed in here but is typically at his best when rating just off the pace. Look for him to track stablemate 5-CAT ATTACK and run by in the lane. Cat Attack has speed and may have the ability to clear and never look back. He's better on the turf but does have a dirt win here last December. If he goes unchallenged early, he could potentially steal this race. 6-SILVER QUARTERS won't show much early speed but could come running on late. He's going to need the top two to battle early though which may be unlikely.

Last race of the meet as the meet's leading trainer has the heavy favorite in 8-MADAM BLUE in here. She showed speed and battled to the wire before being caught in her debut but comes here today with nice works and gets Lasix for the first time. 9-GOLD OAK has tactical speed as she figures to tuck in behind Madam Blue. She has been better since getting to the turf and may be a decent price. 3-BONITA D'ORO could be a longshot play as she closed well two races back. Lezcano has ridden her well and there may be a good amount of pace to chase.