Handicapper Tips & Picks

Was looking to see if an upset was possible but I just don't see it here as 5-EUCLID AVENUE looks to be far too tough on the drop. He has speed, looks to be unchallenged, and should make the top and never look back. 4-JUSTICEONEMORETIME could possibly contend late underneath at a price as he makes his first Hawthorne start. He looks to track the leader early and could run on late. 3-ARMAVIR has improved in his last couple as he comes off a short layoff into here. He looks to be a good fit for Ulloa in the saddle and just needs some pace to chase.

A tough field for leg two of the Big Sport series as a couple of new shooters look to contend. 2-I'M WIDE AWAKE comes in from a nice starter score at Churchill in his last as he has speed and will try to shake loose. The price will be short but that barn has had a solid year. If you dig a bit through the past performances, you will find that 1-SHACKLEFORD STRONG defeated I'm Wide Awake at Oaklawn back in February. He loves this Hawthorne strip and could benefit if Philipsburg presses I'm Wide Awake early on. 4-RED LABEL ran a nice race in leg one of this series and is another that could benefit if the pace is contested upfront. He's been sharp in his two starts on the meet and figures to be a decent price in here.

Babies in the third as we will see which of these youngsters step up. Looking to the Rivelli firster on the outside as 7-RAVIN'S RANSOM has been working forwardly toward this spot. The recent gate drill was very solid and at the 4 1/2 furlong distance he should be quick enough to clear and never look back. 1-STRANGER'S CHURCH could pose the biggest threat to Ravin's Ransom but the inside draw may make things tough. He's another with some snappy gate drills and this barn always has theirs ready. If he can get away from the rail, there's the upset potential in here. 4-BOLD COMFORT had an eventful trip in his debut as he was pinballed at the start but recovered to run on late. With a clean break today he could get into the mix early and run on late.

Getting onto the turf is the key for 1-MIDTERM as he has been trying throughout the meet. Has has shown ability on the main track but with the potential to show speed from the inside, let's see if he can clear and wire this field on the lawn. 4-HONORANDPRINCIPLE is another that has been looking for turf as he gets to make his debut today. He gets Lasix for this start and has worked consistently toward this race. He draws well and may benefit from some pace to chase. 2-LAST MINUTE makes his second career start as he gets Lasix today off a string of bullet drills. He is likely to show speed as well which may or may not compromise both himself and Midterm in here.

A couple of Illinois-breds face open company in here as they look to be quite competitive in this spot. The first is 6-DEVIL as she comes off a pair of solid efforts in her last couple. She has speed and could potentially clear in here. If she can catch an early breather, she may be able to kick away late. 1-SALLY'S SUPRISE just missed in her last as she has run well over this Hawthorne strip. She makes her second start back off the layoff as the added sixteenth could help her chances. 7-SUPRISE ME AGAIN is the second state-bred runner in this spot as she broke her maiden against open company three weeks ago. She rallied late while at a price and may sneak away at a decent value once again,

A really solid field here as there's a couple with speed in this spot. One who should get a good stalking trip is 5-TIMELESS ROSE as she has been solid on the turf and at this distance. She carried her solid Tampa form over to a good race in Indy in her last. Let's see if she can run on late. 4-CAT ATTACK has speed as she will look to try to clear and wire this field. If she can shake loose of Moon Ray early there is the potential that she wires this field. 1-TRAIL RIDGE ROAD ran a nice race against stakes company in her last and finds things easier in here. She has been very good at Hawthorne throughout her career and has to hope the speed hooks up in here.

The 6 1/2 furlongs could be a blessing in disguise for 4-STRANGE ARRANGE as he has the potential to clear and race unchallenged early. He almost pulled off the upset at this distance two back and Emigh has been riding very well of late. 1-KING ANTHONY was solid in a maiden score last out as he stalked the pace and ran on late. He will likely rate in the second flight early in here as we will see how he handles stepping up to face winners. 5-GOOD APPLE has been solid on the meet as he has speed but has recently stalked the pace. He ran on late in his last and picks up Cohen in the saddle in here.

Back to the grass as the relief and second start of the meet should benefit 1-KINGSBURY DREAM. She came off the layoff to face stakes runners in her last and surely needed the race and she never fired over a course that was favoring speed. She should build off that start as she just needs some pace to close into in here. 4-GET N TIPSY was a nice winner in her last as she had to overcome some trouble for that victory. She is typically better when racing a bit closer to the pace as Burgos returns for the ride. 5-APRIL'S GEM has run consistent races at this level on the meet as she get's her best distance in here. She also has some tactical speed as she could get first run on the late closers.

Curious to see what the pace scenario is in here as numerous horses could get sent early. Hoping 4-SENDEMDOWNTHEROAD chooses to stalk in this spot as he makes his third start for the new connections. He chase in his last behind a horse that was taking a big drop but did have some run late. This is an easier spot today as the five furlongs could suit his chances. 3-THE RIDGE has some speed as he ran a decent second over a wet fast track in his last. I expect he is sent away early and will just need to avoid a duel with Lucky Pal. 7-MY BROTHER MIKE takes the drop in class as he looks for the confidence boost. He has to hope for a pace duel ahead of him early and he should run on late.