Handicapper Tips & Picks

Race 6: 8 - 4 - 2

Pick4: 2,4,8 / 2,5,6,9 / 2 / 2,4,5,7,10 - $30

The sixth is also a pretty challenging puzzle to solve, but with a lot of speed signed on for this contest, my eyes gravitated towards horses that are going to be flying late. A horse really coming into form right now is #8 Izeondec (6-1), and while this will be the first time he’s facing more than two-time winners, this looks to be a very favorable spot. Between the fast pace in front, leading rider David Cohen back in the irons, and the big favorite that looks like he “needs the lead”, it’s “go-time” at a decent price.

Race 7: 6 - 5 - 2

Interesting turf maiden for Race 7. Heavy favorite #2 Pilkington is trained by Catalano, but he looks to need a lot of pace to win from “the clouds”, and it doesn’t look like he will get it here, but could with the right setup. I landed on #6 Spinning Heart (9-2). While not the most formidable running line, his best number came in his last at Hawthorne after shipping over from Tampa and Fair Grounds. Also, with less speed signed on than in his previous, he should be able to sit a good trip at a decent price. 

Race 8: 2 - 6 - 3

The penultimate at Hawthorne looks to have a very big favorite, and for those that are familiar, this one has been owned by Crown’s Way Racing since her beginnings, #2 Peggy’s Way (8-5). I won’t sugarcoat anything, she has not been good in her previous races giving up leads late, however she looks to lay over this field both tactics and numbers-wise. It would be very disappointing if she doesn’t break her maiden here, barring any insanity that takes place with the break.

Race 9: 2 - 5 – 4

The last at Hawthorne is a great betting race with ten horses entered. The 2-1 ML-fave for Chris Block looks like she is in a tough spot with a lot of speed in the entries. I landed on the other Block horse in this race, #2 Roar of Silence (6-1) with Julio Felix back aboard. This will be her first time facing winners but will be at the same level at where she broke her maiden. If you watch that race, she had to deal with a lot of traffic as she flew from the back and just got up in time after tipping out, which was pretty impressive for a second time starter. She’s back in a race where she should get a very similar setup and at a good price, it is worth a shot to back her again.