Handicapper Tips & Picks

Open the day on the grass with high level optional claimers. Rivelli has two in here but 1-DI'S SURPRISE is the more accomplished on turf. She was a good winner in breaking her maiden two can and then held her own against older in her last. She faces 3yo runners in here as she should stalk and pounce. 5-DREAM NAP has run a pair of solid dirt races to open her career as she will be able to rate close as well. Let's see how she takes to the turf as Mojica takes the call. 6-HIGHWOOD is one with speed who also tries the turf for the first time. She picks up the bug in the saddle and may look to clear from the outside.

Unless one of the two firsters steps up, I think it will be tough to beat 1-CANYON SHADOWS in here. He has run on the grass in his last couple but showed ability on the dirt in his first two starts. He shouldn't be too far off the pace as I'm not expecting things to be fast upfront. 4-DOMINANT D debuts for Lopez as he has posted some drills that are worth a look. His gate work on May 26 could be a sign that he may show some early speed which could give him a shot with these. 6-CRUZIN N CURSIN also debuts as he also gets Lasix for this start. He has a consistent pattern of drills coming into here but also has been delayed getting to the races as he makes his debut at 5.

It could be very tough to catch the favorite but I'm going to try with 1-STOLICH in here. He finished just behind likely favorite 2-BE LUCKY in a start three back and will hopefully rate a bit closer early in here. 2-BE LUCKY is going to likely be loose and lonely on the front end. I do wonder if The Geek possibly presses off the long layoff but if this one can catch a breather, maybe he never looks back. 5-CHARLIE'S BEACH is the other that could possibly press as he drops in class in here. His last three races weren't bad by any means as he should take some action in here.

4-JEFF THE LION scratched out of a tougher race Saturday for this spot as he draws favorably inn here. He is getting a bit older as the 9yo looks to get back into the winner's circle. With the class drop today we will see if he finds enough pace to chase. 1-CODE RUNNER posted figures that will make him very competitive today as he has worked well over the track for his first Hawthorne start. Let's see if he can rate close and pounce late. 3-AHEADOFTHEGAME figures to be the one to make the top in this spot. He ran decent races in his last couple but expect him to get sent for the top in this spot.

A couple of new shooters pop up in leg two of this series as 1-DICK BEST looks to be a standout on figures. He comes in from Southern California to race today and comes off a fine win last out. He has speed and the only question will be how he handles things if pressed early by Slava Ukraini. 2-DOUBLE THUNDER looks to get a good stalking trip as he won leg one of this series last out. He will have to hope the pace horses hook up as he looks to stalk and run by late. 3-GLOBAL EMPIRE is another that would benefit from a contested pace as he figures to rally late. He has been at his best over this Hawthorne strip and gets Cohen in the saddle once again.

Back to the grass as we catch a field that has some pace in here to chase. The pace will be needed for 2-MS KS DYNASTY as she looks to rate and run on late. She picks up Santos in the saddle, who has ridden well since coming to Hawthorne. Look for her to save ground and rally late. 6-I'M BOX OFFICE will also need that pace to chase as she looks to rally in the lane. She drops in for the tag for the first time today which could help to boost her confidence with a win. 8-LEIPZIG rated close in her last as she led late and was able to hold place in that spot. Let's see if she can stalk the early pace today as she looks to get the jump on the late closers.

A stakes winner over the track, 4-W W HOTSHOT is fast from the gate and may look to wire this field. He was a solid winner in the mud last out and has posted 10 of his 12 career wins at three quarters. 1-WENT WEST has been good over this track and at the distance as well. He has won his last couple and could be sitting a perfect trip if W W Hotshot and Fit to Fly hook up on the front end. 7-DEVIL'S TOWER returns to Hawthorne after a pair of starts in Iowa. He has tactical speed and also loves the distance, winning 13 of 14 at three quarters.

Pretty wide open race in here as let's give a chance to 9-PINBALLER as he gets back on the grass once again. He ran well over a course that was very speed favoring in his last. Today he gets the added 16th and some pace to chase ahead of him. Let's see if he moves forward and the speed comes back. 6-DRAGON DREW has speed but could have company upfront. Turf sprints have been good to her throughout her career as we will see if she can steal this one. 1-REVERE NOTE draws the rail as she figures to rate close in here. She has been running on the synthetic in recent races but has some turf sprints last year that make her a threat.

There's some pace in this race as I'll look to 3-TOP LOOK to sit just behind the leaders early and run on late. She ran well when claimed two back and is back at the same tag today. Let's see how much action she takes in this race. 5-TAP N TWINE has rallied late in two of her last three as she figures to close ground in here. The distance suits and the price should be right as well. 1-BETTY'S SECRET has speed and is likely sent from the inside. She's going to have company possibly as well from Sweet Crystal on the outside so let's see how she handles things if pressed.

Going the logical route in here as 2-GIANNO is back at the same level once again. He ran well in his last and showed some late run as he picks up a strong finisher in Cohen in the saddle in here. 7-MY BROTHER MIKE ran on behind Gianno in that last race as he made his return to the turf. Felix has ridden this course very well as he takes the return ride today. 4-I O FEDRO debuts for Block as he has put together a consistent pattern of drills into here. He gets Lasix first out and is bred to handle the grass.