Handicapper Tips & Picks

Saturday is going to be a warm day with shortened post parades so wager accordingly. 3-PHILIPSBURG kicks off the day as he dropped to this level last out and ran a big race while pressed every step of the way. Unless Sarah's Boy Blue is sent hard in here, I expect Philipsburg to clear the lead and never look back. 6-BREAKING NEWS has good tactical speed as he figures to chase every step of the way. He continues to run good races and continues to step up in class. He loves the track and the distance and should put forth another good effort. 1- CFV BULLET has posted some solid figures while running in Kentucky and Arkansas but the results haven't been there due to the competition as he takes the class drop today. We will see how he handles sprinting as his best efforts have come around two turns.

A solid maiden bunch of lightly raced runners. Rivelli has two in here as 5-TALLAPOOSA gets the nod for me with Cohen in the saddle. He has worked consistently toward his debut and the only concern is that he debuts without Lasix. Let's see what kind of action he takes. 4-KING ANTHONY has run well in his three juvenile starts as he makes his return here. He was able to race on Lasix in his final two-year-old start as that race took place in Louisiana and the drills have been consistent as he comes back off the rest. 6-LA PERFECT BEE closed very well in his debut while at a big price. He adds Lasix off that start and only needs to improve slightly to be a factor once again.

A really good field of $50,000 optional claimers as all six have a shot in here. In his first start off the claim, 1-WENT WEST was able to win impressively and returns right back at this level for the tag. There looks to be a couple with pace in the race as he should be able to stalk once again and run on late. 2-ELI'S PROMISE is one of those with speed who carved things out last time and battled to the wire. The added 16th in that spot may have been the deciding factor as shortening up to three quarters in here could turn things around. 3-ONASA is the other with speed as he makes the return off an 11 month layoff. He likes this track has ability and has worked forwardly toward the return.

Curious to see who heads for the front in here as there are a few possibilities. Thinking 1-DOROTHY CROWFOOT is sent from the inside as she broke her maiden on the front end last summer and rated close at this level in her last. If she can clear from the inside, she could potentially wire this bunch. The pace pressure figures to come from 5-BEEHIVE as she chased last out and was able to catch Dorothy Crowfoot nearing the wire. She's the other one who could possibly show speed but I think her best races are from a stalking spot. 6-SALLY'S SUPRISE could rate just off the pace as well with hopes that the top two challenge one another on the front end. She's gone two turns in her last couple but her best efforts have come at three quarters.

The turf course was very firm last week and led to a lot of front end winners. The sprinklers have been on the course all week long but I still expect a firm course with the recent heat. 5-TIGHTROPE should benefit the most as he is very fast early and has been solid in turf sprints. He will be sent for the lead and if he can beat Dragon Drew to the top from the inside he may never look back. 1-DRAGON DREW is the other with speed as he is proven on turf. He tends to want just a little more distance though and may be left to chase the entire way. 7-SIMPLE LOGIC shortens up in here, a move Block has made a few times with success. With the turn back in distance, I expect him to settle back early and look to rally in the lane.

This is a really competitive bunch which has the pace of the race drawing outside. With the thought that things could come back to the field, 7-IRONMAN RICHIE could be the one to benefit in here. He came off a lengthy layoff into his last start and ran a big race in that spot. He picks up bug Slevinsky again who has been very impressive in the saddle. Look for him to track the leaders early in here and pounce in the lane. 6-GETTIN PAID tracked the early lead last out after getting away a step slowly before rallying in the lane. That slow start may have been beneficial as he will want to avoid hooking up early with Rivzonaroll. Let's see if Chris Emigh gets a win here on the day he is honored as Hawthorne's All-time leading rider. 9-RIVZONAROLL is the speed but may have to work a bit to clear from the outside. He likes this track but with some others possible to push things early, let's see if he is able to shake loose or not.

Make note that 4-Red Hornet will be scratching from this spot for a race on Sunday. You have to dig a bit to find the form but 7-WICKED SURPRISE shows a turf allowance last summer at Hawthorne where he posted a strong figure while at this distance. A string of poor recent races will bring his price up but this isn't a great bunch and he could turn things around. 1-RIVER REDEMPTION is another that hasn't been great in his last couple but he has been very good on the turf, missing the board only once in nine grass starts. He has some tactical speed and this field doesn't look to have much pace. Let's see if he looks to send for a spot today. 11-ROGUE ELEMENT is another that should benefit from the return to turf after a string of poor dirt races. He also could be sent away for an early spot as he looks to turn things around.

The toughest race on the card is the final race on the card. If I were playing the multirace wagers into this spot I would consider ALL in here. 1-IDEA MAN is who I landed on as he has the potential to rally late in a spot that has some pace and he should be the right price. He ran into a solid horse in Breaking News in his first start back and held his own before a slow start hurt his chances in his last. That race also came on an off track. With a fast track return, expect him to contend in here. 6-BAREFOOTBOOTLEGGER looked much better in his last and could continue to improve as trainer John Haran has had a great year. With the amount of pace in this race, expect him to rally in the lane. 3-BLAZEN ROAD is another worth a look if he can get back to his effort two starts back. That was a winning race as he was only beaten by a quality old sprinter. Look for him to run on in the lane.