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Sat March 23rd, 2024 |
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Ron's Picks
Hawthorne Race 1
Post Time 2:40 PM CST
2-UPBEAT MELODY gets the nod. He’s been training
forwardly, he’s facing his easiest field in a long time, and he races for a
barn that brings them back ready. 8-RUSSIAN TO WIN always met better. He’s been
working better than most runners in this race. He hasn’t raced in about nine
months and the big drop could be a reason for concern but he has shown the
ability to come from off the pace and the abundance of speed in this race just
might set things up for a closer. 5-BREAKING NEWS ran well in his first start
after getting claimed by this barn but has shown little since. But his last
local drill suggests that he could be ready for an improved effort.
Hawthorne Race 2
Post Time 3:08 PM CST
1-CROWN
ROYAL KID is a first timer with strong connections, the rail, good drills, and
a rider likely to get him out of the gate in a hurry. The short sprint distance
of this race could work in his favor. 3-MINING CAMP could awaken. He’s been
racing in Kentucky through the winter with lackluster results but those races
were contested on a synthetic track. He was in far better form when running
here prior to those Turfway races. 8-MY TENNIS SHOES improved dramatically since
they turned him back in distance. He should be dead fit since he’s been racing
in Louisiana. Likely comes flying late though this race could be a bit too
short for him.
Hawthorne Race 3
Post Time 3:36 PM CST
1-ROBUST looks tough. He’s making his first start for
this barn but his new barn is highly successful. This gelding has been in good
form in Louisiana but could be ready to kick it into another gear in his
Hawthorne debut. Not sure what to make of 7-MCVICKER. The sharp drop in class
after only three starts raises all kinds of flags but he is dropping for a
reason. Might fit at this level. 6-INSIDE THE CIRCLE hasn’t raced in about 11
months but he always possessed good speed and he could challenge for the lead,
at least early, today.
Hawthorne Race 4
Post Time 4:04 PM CST
There doesn’t appear to be much speed in this race but I’m
guessing that 4-DEFIANT MALICE will provide much of it. He’s stretching out for
the first time while making his first start for this barn as well as making his
initial Hawthorne start. Might slip to the lead and never look back. 9-REGIMENTAL
could hold the edge in fitness. He’s been racing regularly in Louisiana. Gets
the possible advantage of an apprentice rider in the irons. 3-GIANNO showed little
in his lone start last year but he’s undoubtedly meeting easier in his first
start this year. Recent works have been better. Would expect solid improvement.
Hawthorne Race 5
Post Time 4:32 PM CST
1-WHOLE LOTTA LUTE appears prepared to make his career
debut. He’s been training well. Those fast drills at Fair Grounds suggest he’s
going to be the first one out of the gate. His barn sports a high win percentage
with their first time starters. This one figures to add to that percentage. 9-GOOD
APPLE didn’t beat a runner in his career debut but he was facing good open
company, on the turf, in Louisiana and he’ll be meeting a softer bunch of
Illinois breds in this spot. 6-STANCE had some good races against maidens last year
and he’s been training well for his 2024 debut. Wouldn’t be surprised if he
finished in the mix.
Hawthorne Race 6
Post Time 5:00 PM CST
This race appears truly competitive, on paper at least. But
have to think that 6-FIRST KITTEN could hold some advantage. She’s been very
good in starters, both here and in Indiana, and she has scored in seven of her
15 Hawthorne Races. Limited drills are a cause for concern but at five
furlongs, she’s probably fit enough. 2-MADELYN BELLE scored in three of her
four local races and missed by only a nose in her other. Her races since haven’t
been all that great and her recent drills haven’t impressed but she’s now in
the powerhouse Rivelli barn so she deserves a long second look. 8-AWESOME
SUNDAY and 9-ICY RIVER both deserve second looks. Awesome Sunday rides a
three-race win streak at Mountaineer and Icy River has been popping eye-opening
drills downstate.
Hawthorne Race 7
Post Time 5:28 PM CST
7-ANNA AFTER MIDNITE hasn’t shown a thing yet but all of
her races were at higher levels and were contested at Churchill, Gulfstream,
and Indiana. Most certainly faces easier here. 10-MAGGIE E has been showing
good speed in her races this year but running out of gas late. The move back to
dirt at this short sprint distance just might help. 4-GOLD OAK showed some turf
ability last year while meeting maiden specials so it’s a little surprising to
see her drop to this low-level maiden claimer on the dirt. But this is likely
the easiest field she ever encountered so she deserves consideration.
Hawthorne Race 8
Post Time 5:56 PM CST
1-LILY’S WOOFY drops to meet probably the easiest field of
her career. She never fired versus starter company in her last at Fair Grounds
but she was in good form prior. Could be in full control throughout. 3-PALAGO drops
back into claimers. She showed little in her last couple and her recent drills
have been lackluster but this appears to be an awfully easy spot and her barn
has always been good with fresh horses. 4-PLAY TWENTY figures. She hasn’t been
in the best of form but she was claimed back by this barn after they lost her
back in June. She always raced well for them in the past. Guessing she’ll wake
up big time.
Hawthorne Race 9
Post Time 6:24 PM CST
9-BASEBALL POLITICS fits the conditions of the race perfectly.
He’s making his first start since August but has had a steady diet of drills in
preparation for this race. The drop in class is a tremendous help. Could make
short work of this field. 4-LAKE MILLS is another with a solid set of drills, suggesting
he’ll be sharp for this race. Like top pick, he’s dropping in class. Don’t like
his record of one win in 18 local starts but that record seems likely to change
quickly with the class relief. 3-CRANKSHAFT is one of the quicker members of
this field. He could build a lead quickly and finish with something left at
this distance.