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Sun May 5th, 2024 |
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Ron's Picks
Hawthorne Race 1
Post Time 2:50 PM CST
2-MO SMOKING raced unexpectedly well in her local debut.
While not close at the finish, she dueled better rivals for much of the race
and held on to lose by only a couple. Drops to a more realistic level today.
She was racing for $5k a couple months ago so this drop shouldn’t raise caution
flags. 3-PRINCESS TENKO seems like the only competition. Tampa shipper didn’t
show much in her first start after getting claimed by this barn but her speed
figures suggest she’s just faster than any in here with the exception of top
choice. 1-POINT OF INFINITY showed little in her first start for this barn but
she was racing for the first time since August and obviously needed the race.
Hawthorne Race 2
Post Time 3:20 PM CST
1-HEAVENLY HASH is two-for-two since getting claimed by
this barn and shipping to Hawthorne and racing on dirt for the first time. She’s
taking on a bit better today but does seem likely to keep her recent win streak
intact. 4-SWEET CRYSTAL drops in claiming price to make her first start since
August. Her works have been moderate but her barn brings them ready. 2-YOU’RE A
DANDY finished second in her last two races. However, her recent speed figures
suggest that she might not be nearly as fast as Sweet Crystal. Guess we’ll see.
Hawthorne Race 3
Post Time 3:50 PM CST
There is other speed in the race but think 2-BEEHIVE
holds the edge in that department. She’s coming off a wire-to-wire maiden
victory. Believe she’ll be able to score back-to back front-end victories with
a similar effort today. All the 1-MISS RIVER RAT lacked so far has been real
estate and the slight stretch in distance to six furlongs gives her that
missing ingredient today. If top pick grabs an easy lead, there might be no
catching her, but if a contested pace does develop, this filly might be the
first to fly by. 6-REBA ATTACK faced two tough winners in her first two starts
this year and finds herself in against some tough foes again today. She did
finish second in those last two races. However, she tends to lose ground late
and the extra distance of this race doesn’t work in her favor. 3-BOYCE’S BANDITA
graduated in open company. This will be the first time that she faces state
breds since her debut last June. Certainly worth a look.
Hawthorne Race 4
Post Time 4:20 PM CST
2-COLLIER has never shown a lot but her last couple races
here weren’t terrible and she’s dropping to face, by far, the easiest field of
her career. 4-MAGGIE E is likely to break on the lead and will take it until
she runs out of gas. Just not sure she’ll last long enough. 7-WRITTEN CONSENT
has been in better form than most in here, she finished in the money in seven
of her 14 starts, and her speed figures suggest she’s among the fastest.
Hawthorne Race 5
Post Time 4:50 PM CST
2-R KATIEBUG could be tough on the front end. She
appeared to be all out to beat state-bred allowance foes, in a dirt sprint, in
last but doesn’t seem likely to face a whole lot of competition for the front
end today. She just missed in her previous two turf races. Maybe she’ll hang on
today. 3-I’M BOX OFFICE could finish fastest of all. She hasn’t raced since
August and a troubled start in her last made her effort there far worse but she’s
been training well for a barn that brings them off layoffs ready to roll. 1-GRACELEADSUSHOME
has been racing competitively against Louisiana breds this year. Her two turf
victories stand out in this field. Seems likely to be the one racing closest to
top pick early and could be the first to move if R Katiebug runs out of gas.
Hawthorne Race 6
Post Time 5:20 PM CST
3-COUNTRY GUY could be a bit of a sleeper. He finished
second in his local debut after winning his previous two starts in New Orleans.
Loses his talented “bug” rider but utilizes a top-notch journeyman instead. His
barn is quietly having a great meet. Might surprise with this one. Morning-line
favorite 5-RONIC could easily be the best of these. He was claimed from an easy
win at the Fair Grounds in his last start and his barn has been on fire all
meet. However, he has been better going long and most of his previous races
were on the lawn. He’ll be coming late but he just might be vulnerable. 7-JOYFUL
GHOST certainly figures. He’s been in great form at Tampa where he finished in
the money in six of his last seven races. He’s dropping a notch after a
lackluster effort versus better in last and he does fit perfectly at this
level.
Hawthorne Race 7
Post Time 5:50 PM CST
Hated to pick 1-DRIVEN ONE for many reasons but he does
seem most likely. He’s dropping to a better level, he owned good speed in the
past and there is virtually no other speed in the race, and he races for
talented connections, and he’s done well with Felix in his irons. However, his
first two works of the year were great but his last two not so much and he’s
been far better on turf. 4-NOT VERY GENTLE returns from a lengthy layoff with
only modest drills but he has done well on this track and at the distance. He
beat better claimers in his last race. Might be ready for these. 8-MILLARD’S
SMILE has a win and a place in his last two races. Meets better here but does
seem to fit.
Hawthorne Race 8
Post Time 6:20 PM CST
2-GIANNO has had three races. He just missed in one of
them and finished up the track in the other two. But this will be his first
race on turf and the first time he takes on maiden claimers. He’s bred for the
lawn and races for the top barn. Might get it done. 7-RIGHTEOUS FREEDOM drops
into maiden claimers for the first time. He’s been meeting mostly Louisiana
breds with little success but it could still be a whole new ballgame with
runners at this level. 1-EUCLID AVENUE has been much better since dropping into
maiden claimers. His barn does well with runners making the transition from the
main track to the weeds. With his good speed, he’s a threat to take this from
flag fall to finish.