Handicapper Tips & Picks

#2 GO STORMIN GIRL has remained consistent all season and threat to pick up her second win of the meet. She is upgraded in today’s race shape (Large Square) and with form a this level and back with D. Cohen aboard. Perhaps her biggest threat comes from #4 MISS WINDY SLEW as she cuts back to a sprint and following an “every other” pattern is on the upswing of this current cycle and should be sitting on a peak effort, while overlooked.

#1 SADE PURSE has back numbers that fit though tougher to trust to return to those efforts given the April races coming back off the layoff. Granted she had TROUBLE_S in both, overall must show she can find her top form. As a positive, A. Centeno is aboard and notable. 

The race shape and early pace should set up #4 BE LUCKY for a front end trip. He presented upside on debut (IMPROVE) and cleared the maiden condition in his second start. He comes back in his second start against winners and while the layoff lines come into play once again, he is a flow-upgrade from the 2/2 event. #6 GETTING PAID should be right there on trip (Quad I) and a threat back under similar conditions coming off a WIDE trip last out and first out for Vanden Berg.

#2 HOPPIN JOHN was live and turned in a strong effort back on 3/29 at Oaklawn. He was unable to keep pace last month and shifts to this circuit, trainer J. Watkins while remaining in open company. Hard to mention HOPPIN JOHN without #7 JUST BECAUSE looking at the Plot with the two in a similar position without much between them.

#3 STOLICH is worth a mention wheeling back from a TROUBLE trip last week, though the shorter distance has been a hurdle for him in the past and not his most ideal here. 

The early pace should be contested with #3 MIDNIGHT’S GIRL sitting in Quad I with upside in her form cycle and second start off the layoff. She looked to need the race (PRERACE-) and should benefit from the start, the WIDE trip for fitness and the logical class drop back to claiming company. #2 EMITYAAZ wheeling back for her third start of the meet and a flow upgrade chasing a Very Fast early pace on 3/28.

#5 SILKY WARRIOR also finds some class relieve and could be key for her to move up on this circuit. She will make her second start of the meet and along with the change in class could suggest here as the case seemed to side with her stablemate on 4/7, Izzy’s Monster the place finisher.

Paying greater attention to the outcome than the off-odds #1 CAIRO SUMMER was live on 4/28 and ran a huge race to just miss at the wire. The test for her will be to repeat as that will be required here and had to work HARD on the day and back on three week rest and even her best might not be on the level with the others in this field, a tougher task as a Quad III/IV Circle. #4 MAIDEN ROCK can be upgraded of the off-the-pace runners, a Square in contrast to the Circle of #6 LOTTA ROSES. 

#2 CASCADE CRUISER has some hurdles taking on older and winners for the first time here though has shown class and improvement race-to-race. His form fits on par and appears intent as the barn holds two in the field and CASCADE CRUISER given the 36-day recovery waiting out for this spot.

Class wise this allowance could be taken closer to a lateral move for #6 HARD TO FATHOM coming out of the open company claiming races at Oaklawn. He has held his form and figures throughout his career and a major player on repeat of the 5/4 number. #5 HERCULES has some of the higher recorded figures in this field, though in terms of current form does not hold as strong of an edge and numbers on par with #4 EPIC KNIGHT; one that appears well-placed on this circuit though still must show up with a top effort and does not come into this race with any strong edge over others where price compensation is required. 

This race lacks a standout to make a case for the new face in #10 SURPRISE ME AGAIN for C. Block capable connections and could have been waiting for the grass for this first start. They will race against open today though find other IL-bred runners in this field to level things out. One of those being #3 MOLLY’S TEMPLE One that must step up in a big way on return though does present TURF visuals and should appreciate the surface switch.

 This race could be full of surprises with #7 DI’S SURPRISE making a second start and grass debut. She showed legit early speed after a poor start making a RUSH in a race that has been mildly productive with two next out winners and a total of three from the 3/31 event.

Some intent could be on play for lightly raced 5yo mare #4 HA HA GLORIA showing up on this circuit, remaining protected and the type with the layoff lines that must come out race ready. While she finds the change to this circuit the 10/22 October MSW event was not a strong event still looking for a next out winner. 

#5 OEURVE is the class of the field and looking at the Plot, should not be setting the pace with #2 PURR SEA though can rate close enough (Surface/Distance) to not be compromised from race shape standpoint. OEUVRE has spent the majority of her career on the turf, though has a solid dirt record including multiple and dominant wins here at Hawthorne. 

#7 ANOTHER MYSTERY makes his return in this spot and a serious racehorse though one that might not quite be to the graded stakes level. He will race today for the higher $75k tag, a number that could still be a bit of a gamble on the claiming side though not significant enough to raise any red flags with the connections placing him where he can compete and return to winning ways. #1 READTHECLIFFNOTES make a return to the turf in the first time in a long time, though no contender with that change as he has been consistent on the grass with his form at the time and his current form into this race sits on par.

On the claiming front, that was the case for #2 PROTONIC POWER back on 4/6 and picked up a check in a smaller stake just three weeks late. They come back to Hawthorne for this start and back to the grass and allowance condition where he has been effective and competitive, a better spot than the recent FG stakes races, events where he held his form and figures just not quite to the level of that competition, something he does not have to worry about here. 

#3 DEMAND RANSOM is a longshot though has some qualities to make a case for here. The prior allowance races were not the right spot for him though benefit from those efforts on fitness and looking at the Past 3 Runlines is showing improvement race-to-race and could be intent wheeling back in a week with the weight break. Hughes has sent out some live runners at big numbers this season and could have another one here.

Looking at the Plot, #7 LAKE MILLS might not be as far back as one could expect from him looking at the prior running lines and finishing position. Today’s race shape should be honest especially with #4 HUNKA BURNING LOVE coming off the layoff and #8 BOURBON TEDDY from the outside joined with #5 SLAVA UKRANI to keep things contested and set up LAKE MILLS on the drop. LAKEMILLS from the Quad II position should secure first run and first run on #2 BAREFOOTBOOTLEFFER one that is steadily moving forward off the layoff and subtle change in class. 

#2 DOCS SEVEN has had limited opportunities to race on the TURF in her career though from a physical standpoint looks the part. She comes into this event with form out of very competitive races at Oaklawn to transfer here naturally.

#6 GET THE CANDY appears a need the lead type though in this field (Plot) combined with her back class she could establish that trip here and dangerous on the front end. Her stablemate #7 FRANKEL BABY also has shown early speed and coming off a front running win, a win that will have her class tested again today.

#11 RAMBERT also brings in early speed and while she has had success up front arguably her best trip is to stalk-and-pounce, the manner of the MED win back in 2022 and her return from the layoff in the following start last June at DEL.