Handicapper Tips & Picks

A field of ten kicks off a very competitive card. Looks to be a little speed in here but not a ton as I think 10-PHILIPSBURG (IRE) can get away from the outside and find early position. He is lightly raced with just two starts off a long layoff but was claimed out of his last couple and steps up today. Let's see if he can rate and run on late. 1-LIBERTY'S HAULER runs for the Arnett barn as he should get a good tracking trip from the inside. He ran on late while going 5 furlongs four back but looks to sit a bit closer early here as he takes the drop in class. 8-OVERDUE HONOR comes off the layoff into here as he has worked consistently toward his return. He has some early speed and could be the one to try to clear the front end.

Not much along the lines of early pace in this spot either. Thinking 3-STACK SHACK will have enough speed to rate close early and run on late. She may have needed her last as she faced tougher off the layoff but she's a better horse around two turns and is back at a level where she ran well three back. 6-TIMELESS GLORY is the other that should rate close as she ran a decent race while running 5 furlongs two back. She won a match race on the lead last summer but is likely better rating in the second flight. 4-NO NANNETTE NO will need some pace to chase as she figures to run on late. The lack of early speed is what could work against he but she did show the ability to rate a bit closer early in starts three and four back where the pace upfront was very slow.

I had a tough time making a morning line on this race as half the field could be deserving of favoritism. Ended up selecting 3-MO SMOKING as she has been the most consistent runner around two turns and comes in off a pair of solid efforts. Her tactical speed will keep her close early as she looks to rate close to 7-MIDNIGHT'S GIRL early. That one is the pace of the race and this looks to be a good spot to try this Allowance level. My only concern for her is just the one workout off the layoff. 2-SALLY'S SUPRISE is intriguing as she stretches out today. She ran on late while wide in her last and may run to her name and suprise with some early speed. If the connections choose to go, she is a sleeper to steal this race.

Another race without a lot of early pace. Going to look to 5-CHRISTMAS PRESENT as he has a start under his belt and ran a solid race in that spot. Despite the outside draw and only one workout going into the race he chased while wide and contended late into the stretch. With the slight class drop and improved post, I wouldn't be surprised to find him on the front end in here. 1-FLASHY RICHIE runs for the Quinonez barn who is off to an excellent start this meet. He led late while at a huge price in his first start of the meet and should improve off of that effort. He could rate closer early from the inside as well. 9-SIERRA HOTEL is a horse I have always liked as he has had a lot of success at Hawthorne. While many of his best efforts have come on the grass, he has put forth some solid main track efforts as he comes in with a consistent workout pattern into today's race.

This is a good spot for 1-SNOOZER to return as he has speed and draws the inside. He has three drills toward the return for a barn that is off to an excellent start this meet. The connections also take advantage of the increased claiming price option, making them eligible for the Illinois Owners bonus. 6-BAREFOOTBOOTLEGGER took nicely to this Hawthorne strip last summer, winning three times over the track. After being primarily a route horse early in his career, the shift to a late closing sprinter has suited him well. He can run on late in here while at a nice price. 2-SCHMOOZIN battled to a solid victory while posting a strong figure last out. He figures to track the early speed on Snoozer today as he looks to repeat that performance.

I was split between the top two choices in here but the rider choice is what made up my mind. After a very impressive season in 2023 for First Kitten with Centeno aboard, her first start of this year was disappointing. Off that race Centeno jumps to 2-GIRL PRO for the hot Arnett barn. Normally wanting to run a bit longer, Girl Pro figures to close late in the sprint from the inside. She's a good fit at this level and will benefit from what looks to be an honest pace upfront. 9-FIRST KITTEN has a ton of ability and fits very well at this level. She loves this Hawthorne strip and may have just needed that first start of the meet. Olaf picks up the mount today as he has ridden very well early this season. If she improves off her last she can be a solid contender possibly at a decent price. 4-MADELYN BELLE was a game winner in her last as she was pushed the entire way. She could have company upfront in here but has shown that she will battle as she has never been worse than second in five Hawthorne starts. 

Two turn maidens to close the day. I expect the pace upfront to be honest which should benefit 10-CASCADE CRUISER as he comes off a good effort at a similar level last out. He ran on late as the race could be a key race, with the third-place finisher from that spot coming back to win in his next out. 3-GIANNO almost got the job done in his last. He found a good early spot and made a strong move into the lane. Let's see if he rates even closer early in here and looks to get the jump on the late closers. 9-WOLF HUNTER is a good looking racehorse that is overdue for his maiden score. He ran a solid race last out and should improve off that performance. I expect he's a part of the gimmicks underneath while at a price.