Handicapper Tips & Picks

Tough race to start the day as there is very little form among these. Went to 7-PRIMITY on top as she has worked consistently toward her return and gets some class relief. Her only career score came at this distance and she ran a solid third against better going 5/8ths last spring. 4-ONACOUNTA has raced through the winter in Ohio and comes in off a better performance last out. She picks up bug Navas in the saddle and should get enough pace to chase. 5-SHORT STRAW is fast early, but stamina is always an issue. She was able to break through for a victory in her last and comes back with three works leading into today's race. Expect her to make the lead, but let's see if she can hold onto it.

Curious as to how this race shapes up as there are a few that may be looking to go longer in their next start. One that should like the distance is 4-RED HORNET as he has sprinted on the turf with success. He only has one main track start, which came in an off the turf race at Belterra last May but he clearly held his own in that spot as well. 5-EMPTY HOLSTER was more of a route horse early in his career but has recently seen some success while sprinting. He has just the one work coming into here so we will see if he needs a race. 2-COALMINER'S KITTEN has three works this year as he comes back to the track where he won last summer. He may be destined for two turns later on this meet but can't be tossed out for a barn that figures to win their share of races.

We go two turns in this spot as a horse for the course looks to be tough. With little pace, I expect 4-GITA'S LAD to scamper away early and look to wire this field. He doesn't show much when racing away from Hawthorne, but when over this track he has won 10 of 28 starts and half of his 12 starts at the distance. What scares me is just the one workout leading toward his return. 6-ROCKET HOTSHOT is another that has raced well at Hawthorne and has a pair of works toward the return. He takes the drop in class and figures in this short field. 1-KHOZAN'S SUCCESS was claimed for $12,500 two starts back and followed with an even effort at Gulfstream in his next. He does have some tactical speed and should be in a good stalking spot.

A short sprint with the leftover group who didn't get into the Saturday opener. Trainer Jon Arnett has two with a chance as 6-FEROCITY draws the outside. He has raced well through the winter at Delta and comes in with a good work over the track. Expect a strong effort from a stalking spot today. 5-D'YANK has run well at Hawthorne, hitting this board in 10 of 25 starts over the track. He tends to rate back a bit early and run on late but have been a good fit for Arrieta as he returns in the saddle. 1-ALYANAABI is the second Arnett in here as he has speed to possibly steal this race. He shipped over to Fair Grounds for his last start and held his own as he chased in there and didn't give way until late. Look for him to try to steal this one on the front end.

A pair of Rivelli runners in here but I'll look to try to beat them as I gave the nod to 4-EIGHT MAY from the barn of Jim Watkins. He takes a big class plunge off the layoff but has worked consistently toward the return. The race looks to have enough pace to chase as I expect he runs on late. 1-PURPLE OCTOPUS is one likely to show some speed from the inside. He drops after being claimed, then claimed back for $15,000. With E.T. aboard I fully expect he is gunning for the front. 7-RAISERICHIESRANSOM is the second Rivelli runner as he comes in with just one work. With the outside draw I expect he stalks the pace and should be closing some ground in the lane.

Solid field of maidens to start the late Pick 4 as 6-GIMME THE CANDY makes his third career start for trainer Larry Rivelli. He has shows some early foot in each of his first two races and took action in both. He comes in with a nice pattern of drills in New Orleans that transitioned to a bullet work at Hawthorne leading into this spot. Expect him to clear and possibly never look back. 5-MOONLIGHT ROAD has raced competitively against some quality bunches to open his career and split the field over a wet turf course in his last. He's likely to rate early but should run on in the lane. 3-SKALKAHO figures to be a factor as he debuts with Lasix. The Iowa bred has gotten four works over the track coming into this race, including a very sharp gate drill on March 10. Don't be surprised if he shows speed in here.

A nice allowance field coming into this race as Michele Boyce runs a pair. While the question mark surrounds how she will handle the dirt, 2-RIETTA has been good in her field two starts and has posted a couple of works over the track. I expect she shows speed in here as she makes her second start since adding Lasix. 6-BAR MONEY gets Lasix for the first time today as well as getting a key rider change to Centeno.. She improved with each start last fall and has worked consistently toward her return. Expect to see her running on late. 4-R KATIEBUG ran a pair of nice races here last summer as she has tactical speed and gets Felix back in the saddle. She backed out in the lane in her last but was also pushing the pace in that spot from and outside draw.

There is a bit of early pace in here but fitness will be the key as many horses return after being laid off for a bit and will be asked to go two turns. 6-HURTS SO BAD is one that has been racing consistently and has had success over this track and at the distance. He tends to run his best while on the lead or close and is one that has shown the ability to dig in when challenged. 8-MILLARD'S SMILE needs to pace to chase as he will rate and run on late. He's another who is fit off races in New Orleans and gets the benefit of bug Navas in the saddle. 1-BLURT is a longshot threat who could be used two ways. Being the second Rodriguez runner in the race, he could push the pace to set things up for Millard's Smile. But he did also string together three consecutive wins here last summer and could be overlooked at the windows off of recent poor form.

Tough to figure out what to do with a horse like 9-CLYDE'S GREEN GO. After debuting in 2020 and racing three times in 2021 he was away for over two years. He popped back up in a state-bred maiden race last November and won easily at 4-5. He has worked well toward the return and I take it as a positive sign that the connections are choosing to run him for the $37,500 compared to the $25,000 claiming tag. Let's see if he can stalk and pounce. 5-BALADINE has three works toward the return, including a snappy 3/8 breeze on March 17. He has tactical speed and could be pushed along with Baird in the saddle. 2-SPANISH KISS is another with three drills coming back as he could also get a nice pace setup ahead of him. Don't be surprised if he contends while at a price.