Handicapper Tips & Picks

I have always liked 1-SAILING SOLO as this 9yo horse is about as honest as they come. After some spread out races from the end of 2020 through 2022 he was able to consistently race through his 8yo season, winning a pair of races for $70k in earnings. He has speed, draws the inside and with the rail position at zero feet, should be able to skim the fence the whole way around. 4-SOUL COAXING has tactical speed as he moves back to the grass after a good second on the dirt in his last. The distance suits and he just has to hope that Sir Lumpalot looks to challenge Sailing Solo on the front end. 8-BLOW TORCH has run once on the turf, a third place effort in a sprint her last May, but this barn continues to send out live horses. He faced touch company at Oaklawn all spring and let's see how he handles the stretch in distance.

Trainer Eduardo Rodriguez has had a fantastic meet and it's horses like 3-BLURT that have improved to run big races. Blurt is a one run type of horse, head to the front and go, as he was able to steal a race two back. He had things pretty easy on the front end in his last before giving way in the lane but he finds another spot where he figures to coast early and try to steal the race late. 5-IRISH VALOR comes back to Hawthorne after at start at Prairie Meadows that was a win a few weeks ago. He will need some pace to chase but the barn is fantastic and the distance suits. 4-CARTE BLANCHE just missed last out as he was running on late, almost catching Blurt at the wire. The trip may be similar in here today as we will see how the timing of moves is in the lane.

This is a race that is really tough to fill but when it does, even with five horses, it is a fantastic race as well! Every one of these horses has the ability to show speed and has won on the front end so the question is how many go and who chooses to rate? Going to go with 4-WILMA MANKILLER on top as she loves this Hawthorne strip and won from off the pace in a race here last summer. This is her first start in eight months but the work pattern is strong and she figures to be able to rate. Let's see if she's ready off the bench. 5-PURR SEA ran a huge race in the Third Chance last out, only to be caught by the very talented Oeuvre in the lane. She's fast but could potentially have company on the front end as well. 2-KANT BELIEVE IT ran a really nice race in victory at Oaklawn in her last as she chased the leader into the lane before drawing clear late. The ability to rate and rally could come into play here as she won with Olaf over this oval last summer.

A really solid field for the 4th as we get a race that doesn't have a ton of early pace. With a bunched up field it will come down to trip as I'll give the nod to 6-FIRST MASAMUNE. He has been good in both of his sprint efforts on the meet and was able to rate a bit closer last out. He's at the level where he is competitive and should be a decent price. 7-RISKY BOY has tactical speed as he has been excellent this meet and really since last summer. Blacnhe is a good fit in the saddle and he could get the jump on those closing late. 4-TONYS MORNING LINE finds things easier in here off a solid performance at Fairmount last out. This is his best distance as the class relief could be all that he needs.

State-bred maidens on the grass with a lot of unknowns in this field. One that we do know can handle the turf is 1-A P BLAZING GREEN as he comes off an excellent race against sprinters in his last. He has tactical speed and tries hard each out but just hasn't been able to grab that first victory. His best race did come against open maiden company over this course last August and today looks to be the right spot. 6-PONTUS is lightly raced but has been solid in each start. He looks to have tactical speed and Manley has been very good with runners on the grass, especially in sprints. 4-CANYON SHADOWS has been trying to get onto the turf as he looks to in here. He faced open company in his last couple, nearly winning in a race taken off the grass two back. With the return to state-breds, he should be sitting on a big performance.

Trainer John Haran is having a career year thus far, winning races at Oaklawn, Churchill, Indiana and here as everything seems to be running lights out. Burgos is back in to ride 3-NOT VERY GENTLE in this spot as he was aboard for a solid second place effort last out. There isn't much along the lines of pace in this race as he figures to have to rate a bit closer early but he likes the track and the distance as he continues to improve as well. 4-FUTURE VISION has turned things around in his last couple. The question is if that turnaround is due to improved form or a switch in distance. He may look to rate a bit closer early as he figures to contend the entire way. 6-LOOKIN FOR REVENGE is the one who should show some speed as he picks up bug Slevinsky today. With the weight off and the two turns, let's see if he can continue to improve for a barn that has done well since coming in from Oaklawn.

Chances for some prices in this spot with a very evenly matched field. I think there's enough pace to chase in here which may set things up for 2-ESSENTIAL BELLA. She sat back last out in the mud but was closing quickly in the lane. If she can sit just a bit closer early in here, I expect her to be in the mix late in the lane. 4-HEAVENLY HASH drops back down in her second race off the claim as she figures to be forwardly place today. Cohen rode in the last couple and gets the call once again for a barn that has had a nice meet. 5-STYLE was a good winner two back as she rallied in a pace-less race. There's more speed in here to close into for the strong Arnett barn.

A very competitive maiden bunch to close the day. Trainer Fausto Gutierrez ships in a pair that both have a shot as I'll go to 6-OFF THE LAM. She raced on a Yielding course in her last and narrowly got up in time with a good late rally. There should be pace to chase once again as she looks to settle mid-pack and get the jump on the late runners. One of those who will be closing late is 8-CROSSANNA for Chris Block. This one was full of run in her last and will also likely benefit from a firm turf. Expect her to try to get into the race a bit earlier here and pick off horses in the lane. 1-DEAL'EM AND WEEP debuts with Lasix from the rail as she has worked consistently into this spot. She may have to leave for position from the inside draw but appears fit off the string of five furlong drills.