Handicapper Tips & Picks

It’s unlikely that 2-ALLOTROPE will be the only speed in the race but, on paper, she does look like the best. He finished second in his only two races against claimers. Has a legitimate chance to lead all the way in this spot. 4-ALEXANDRA’S SONG has been plagued by frequent layoffs in her brief career, including a two-month vacation after getting claimed by this barn. She didn’t beat a rival in her first start for them. However, she has been training well locally since that last start and she’ll be taking on a much easier group in her local debut. 3-MISS TENA MARIE was totally outclassed when shipped to Churchill for last and ran like it, but she did have start trouble which probably contributed to her poor performance. She had been running well, against the boys, in her first four career starts. Now she drops to a far more reasonable level and will be racing with Lasix for the first time. Would expect considerable improvement.

1-DESERT HIGHWAY came flying late in last, his first start at Hawthorne, in a race that was obviously too short for him. He has been a router for the majority of his career. Should benefit from the trip over the track and the stretch in distance. 4-ROUNDER was trounced in his most recent start but that race did come after a lengthy layoff and the race took place at Turfway where he had a similarly poor effort in his previous start at that track, back in 2022. He’s had three modest drills since that race, again all on synthetic surfaces. His dirt form has been much better. However, he is only one for 26. Certainly not a lock.2-IZEONDEC comes off a dull effort but he had been in pretty good form prior to that race. He did finish second the last time he ran here on dirt. 

The swift 3-LILY’S WOOFY simply dominated in her first start of the meet. She grabbed the lead quickly and was never seriously challenged for the lead, ultimately drawing off by eight. She meets a better group of runners here but she again appears to be the best of the speed. Could repeat on the lead. 1-MIDNIGHT’S GIRL raced well at Delta for much of the winter. Although she owns good speed and did draw the rail, she doesn’t seem quite as quick as top choice. However, she does have the ability to finish well. Might run them down. 5-STACK SHACK is back with the Cook barn after wintering with Rivelli in Louisiana. This mare raced over her head for most of last year and her record reflects that. She’s been far more successful on turf but has shown that she can be competitive on dirt at this level.

5-GO STORMIN GIRL is back at her best racetrack and back with the trainer who had been successful here with her in the past. Six of her eight wins were scored here along with another 11 in-the-money finishes. This race is shorter that she would prefer but she has had some success. Should be a square price. Figures to come on late. 1-HELEN MAE’S SONG and 4-COOKIN ROSES both love the front end. If one of them doesn’t break alertly the other could be long gone but if they get caught up in a front-end speed duel, it could set the table for top pick’s late run.

6-TIME HEIST could get the trip. There should be more than enough pace to set things up for his good closing move. He’s been good when meeting claimers for a long time. Has different connections but can still keep his string of strong local races. Could edge by late.  4-MEDAL OF FACT races for the first time since October and for the first time for this barn after getting claimed from last. His recent works have been rather slow but he does have a history of running well here. Seems as good as any. 7-RISKY BOY was victorious in his first start of the meet. This field didn’t really come up any tougher. Could repeat.

Wide open race. 5-ELI’S PROMISE could be the sleeper. This speedy runner has been working well for his first start of 2024. It’s unlikely that he’ll be left alone on the lead but he has been in against some tough rivals in the past and he made they work for it. Sharp trainer sends them ready. 9-TWIRLING ROSES was almost unbeatable here a couple years ago. Didn’t have the same kind of local success in 2023 but usually raced competitively. He would be much better at six furlongs but he will be coming on late and could get into the picture. 1-RIVZONAROLL, with speed and the rail, certainly figures, despite racing for $5000 in December. With Rivelli as his conditioner and Loveberry in the irons, he’s going to be competitive every step of the way at this short sprint distance.

4-KNIGHTS CROSS ran well enough on the synthetic track in last but he obviously prefers a real dirt track. He possesses a good turn of early foot but doesn’t necessarily need the lead to win. Makes his local debut. It could be a winning one. 11-DAVIDOC LINE might be the best of the speed but might have to work too hard to get to the lead from this far outside post. But, the runners from this barn have been live so far in this young meet. Wouldn’t really surprise if this one crossed the finish line first. 2-SUPER WISE flies late. Not entirely sure the pace will be favorable for a runner that comes from so far back so he might have to do it all on his own.

6-DI’S SURPRISE, purchased for $160,000, figures to be a major player. She’s had a long series of workouts in preparation for this race. Her barn wins with around 22% of their first timers. This one could be a square price in what appears to be a wide-open field. 2-CALL ME PENNY might be the quickest from the gate. She’s had 15 races and faded late in all of them, often at this distance, but might hang on longer in her local debut. 3-ABSOLUTE MIRACLE showed considerable improvement in her second career start. She had two good workouts since that race and should be dead fit for her initial Hawthorne contest.