Handicapper Tips & Picks

A competitive bunch kicks off the day as we will see if there's enough pace to chase for 2-SHARP ATTACK. This one is looking for a confidence boost after her first two starts where she got away slowly in each. She drops to the bottom here but can't be tossed out if she can get away cleanly. 6-LOST SUNSET showed speed in her debut and almost held on in that spot. She does take the class drop today but also runs for the higher claiming tag being Illinois-bred. Let's see if she can clear and never look back. 3-CHANEL POINT is the other that could show some speed as she has improved with the recent class drop. She just missed last out and picks up the hot riding Cohen today.

Unlike the opener where there may not be a ton of pace, this race has the potential for a pace battle upfront between the inside two. If those two do hook up, it could set things up for 3-PERFUMER to sit back and rally late, much like he did in his last start. He does come in with a month in between starts but that added race may be helpful as he typical runs well when fresh. 4-IZEONDEC is another that should be closing late and he ran a solid race under Cohen last out. In that spot the concern was if he was going to hang in the lane, but he had no issue running by the leaders as he cruised to the easy score. 2-SLAVA UKRANI is the one with the potential to wire this field as he gets back around two turns. He has both career scores at Hawthorne and each were on the front end. If he can shake loose from Blooming Garden early, he could possibly steal this one.

Although there is some rain in the forecast, on or off turf I expect a good race from 5-PACIFIC VIEW.  She ran well in the slop two back but didn't handle the softer turf in her last. She does face easier today though and has enough tactical speed to get into the mix early in a race that is lacking of pace. 8-SAFECRACKER SUE improved with the addition of Lasix in her last couple and has worked well since coming over to Hawthorne. With the lack of pace in here and the stretch in distance, she may look to show some early speed to find position into the first turn. 7-FROTHY has run some solid races against better as she figures to take a good amount of action in here. Her best effort came in a paceless race last summer as she may get a similar setup today.

Not a ton of pace in this race and the one who can rate close draws the outside. That may be beneficial as 8-ALPINE GHOST looks to work out a trip in here. He defeated similar two back before facing tougher in his last. If he can get back to that performance at this level, he should be tough. 5-CODETOWIN makes his first start of the meet for a barn that has been going really well. He has only a couple of works toward the return but being an experience racehorse, I'm sure the barn knows he is ready. 7-MAQAMAT scratched from a tougher spot Saturday for this race as he fits quite well in here. He will need some pace to chase but he has shown he can rally late as he races for his new barn for the first time.

It's tough to overlook the last two races from 1-WHERE'D THE DAY GO as he got similar trips in both and posted the same winning effort. This field has come up a bit tougher for quality but could have the same pace scenario as his last two starts. The inside is no issue either and he loves this Hawthorne strip. 5-KHOZAN'S SUCCESS will be very tough as he takes the class drop today. He has been competitive in his last couple as the winners off his last two starts led from gate to wire. He should take action here for connections that are having a strong meet. 3-MISTER CHARMING may be a bit of a sleeper in here as he's worth a look if he can get to his race two back. He has enough tactical speed to rate close early and should provide more than enough value at the windows.

Hoping the rain misses us and we can stay on the grass. But turf or dirt, I like the chances of 3-SOUL COAXING at a price. He raced well in New Orleans over the winter and his last can be dismissed after a poor start. He has worked well on the main track too and gets Cohen in the saddle. 4-SAILING SOLO is likely turf only as he like this Hawthorne course and is always very game on the front end. He had a troubled trip in his last and takes the class drop today but as a 9yo he still tries hard each time out and has worked very well toward his return. 9-SILVER QUARTERS is another that figures on turf or dirt. He does need pace to chase though as he rarely shows much early speed but often comes charging in the lane. Let's see how many he can pick off late in here.

A really solid field for the Work all Week Handicap that is led by 124lbs highweight 5-W W HOTSHOT for trainer Scott Becker, who has three in here. This one has speed to burn and comes off a solid score in his last. He loves the distance, likes the track, and looks to have been a fine claim for $40k here last summer. Let's see if he is as impressive as Oeuvre was in the filly and mare event week. 7-RICHIESONAROLL has been in very good form as he has proven to be an excellent claim for just $12,500 last summer. He was a solid third as the favorite against open company last out and should be in a fine stalking spot in here. 2-MEGAN'S HONOR shortens back to a sprint after a string of short stretch miles at Oaklawn this winter. He will need some pace to chase but figures to be closing quickly in the lane.

A solid allowance bunch is led by Kentucky shipper 5-STEPHANIE'S CHARM for trainer Fausto Gutierrez as she comes in off a good effort at Churchill in her last. She held her own on the synthetic at Gulfstream two back as well and should find enough pace to close into in here. The class relief may be enough to get her into the winner's circle today. 12-ALL ABOUT ME is one with speed that looks to contend from the outside draw. She was a good winner at Tampa two back but will have to get away quickly to look to cross over into the first turn. 4-FOURFIFTYSEVEN has tactical speed as she tries the turf for the first time today. She recently arrived at Hawthorne and posted a good work over the dirt. Let's see if she can stalk and pounce in the lane.