Handicapper Tips & Picks

Kicking off what looks to be a solid 9 race card with a route race that figures to be competitive. I feel the best horse in the race is 2-CHAOS REIGNS as Felix rides for DiVito. The key to the race is for Chaos Reigns to avoid hooking up with Slava Ukrani on the front end as we know that one is going to be sent. If he can rate, he should be able to wait until the lane and rally late. If the two do hook up, it could benefit 5-PLAIN OR PEANUT on the quick turnaround. He snuck away with a win last weekend and wheels right back with Slevinsky aboard. He won't show much speed early but will be charging late. 3-JET FLIGHT was a game winner at a price last out as he returns off a bit of a rest. He will also benefit from a quick pace upfront as he could get the jump on a horse like Plain or Peanut.

The first of four on the grass as we run a progression of turf distances on the day. I think there's enough pace for 6-DOCS SEVEN to rally late as she makes her second turf start of the meet. She was closing quickly in her last and should benefit by picking up Mojica in the saddle. 8-RAMBERT battled from the outside in her last and almost held on. She could face some other pace pressure early but may also be the fastest to the front. 1-MOVE IT BABY defeated similar in her last and now slides to the inside. She is a specialist on the grass and actually won at this distance while on the lead last summer.

This is a wildly tough race! Many of the top contenders have similar running styles which could muddy up the early pace situation. The unknown is 2-ARTHURIAN as he makes his first career start on the turf. He isn't a deep closer but also should be on the lead. With a ground saving trip he may be able to tuck in just behind what looks to be a contested back and will just need room in the lane. Colon is riding well and this one may sneak off at a square price. 10-CODE NAME is one of those with speed as he should be able to dictate his race from the outside. He looks to be at his best at this distance and has worked well toward his return. 9-WHERE YA AT VINCE also tries the grass for the first time off a solid maiden breaker at Keeneland in his debut. He may have some tactical speed as he shifts from Catalano to Rivelli for today's race.

With two of the top contenders looking to possibly duke it out on the front end, let's see if some closers can run on late. 8-ARRINGTON ran a good race here three back before running a solid third against better at Indiana two back. She dropped to the bottom in her last and was dropped at the start as the 4-5 favorite. She stays at the bottom today but should be circling horses late. 6-TRIBEST (ARG) is another that should be closing well late as she has been better this meet. The barn is going well and this drop to the bottom comes with a hope for a confidence boost. 2-IMAGE OF CURLIN comes in from Fairmount as she figures to get a good stalking trip today. She picks up bug Slevinsky and could get the jump on the closers at the top of the lane.

It was a really big effort from 7-MS KS DYNASTY last out as she narrowly pulled off the huge upset. That race was over a softer turf as she just got a little leg weary late. She goes a 16th further today and gets her second start with the addition of Lasix and blinkers. 6-LEIPZIG looks to be worth a look on turf or dirt as she makes her second start off the lengthy layoff. She did not take to the softer course last out but if worth another look as things are expected to firm up a bit more. 10-PACIFIC VIEW won on the drop on the main track in her last but has shown some ability on the grass as well. She may settle a bit further back early but should run on late.

A really solid field of Optional Claiming runners as the 6 1/2 furlongs could make the difference. In his first start off the claim, going to look to 6-WENT WEST as he runs for Hugo Rodriguez today. He was rallying late in his last and came up just short while closing along the rail. With the added 16th as well as some pace to chase, he should be able to wait until the lane to move and get up in time. 5-CORTESE was a good winner against similar in his last as he likes this Hawthorne strip. His style is very similar to Went West but his price could be a bit shorter in here. 1-SHACKLEFORD STRONG has tactical speed but I don't expect him to rate too close with the other DiVito runner, Eli's Promise, in this spot as that one has speed. He has been sharp in all four starts on the year and could sit just behind the leaders with a ground saving trip from the rail.

The shift to turf as well as shift in venue and distance could all line up for a good effort from 10-HOYLAKE in this spot. He is bred to run long and should have no issue with turf as he figures to look to find position early and run on in the lane. 9-EVEN THE WIND  has been knocking on the door in a string of races last summer as he makes his return today. His work pattern is consistent as he will just need some pace to chase. 6-LAST RUN gets back to the turf as a tough trip in his last when the rider lost the irons early. He looks to be able to stalk the pace in here and may show more speed early off a snappy gate drill between starts.

Although there looks to be other pace in this race, 6-PLAY TWENTY has a different type of early speed I believe. She was pressed in her last while facing tougher as Palace Magic got a dream trip. If she can clear in here she may never look back. 4-GHAALEB'S MAGIC has been very good at Hawthorne and should be a threat but the question is if she will need a start off the lengthy layoff. She has just a pair of drills leading toward the return but could get a good trip from the second flight if ready. 8-GO STORMIN GIRL ran a good race in her last as she has put together a nice string of races over her last four starts. She loves the track and fits at the distance.