Handicapper Tips & Picks

Kick off the day on the grass as a pair seem to standout. A bit better of a price with 4-WANDA STRONG as she has been solid on the turf throughout her career. She will get some pace to chase and should run on late. 3-MISS RIVER RAT has been very good in her last five and was sharp in the turf win last out. She should be stalking the pace and figures to take a ton of action. 2-WHAT'S TO DO steps up off a victory in her last as she ran on well late. She's going to be a price in here but may be able to pick up the pieces late.

Let's see what happens here as I am a bit scared that Euclid Avenue sneaks away and wires the field. If bunched, 1-ELECTRIC CHARGE could be poised to contend at a price. He likes this track and comes in off a better than looked effort at Ellis Park in his last. 2-ROCKET HOTSHOT always tries hard but really had no excuse in his last couple as he got perfect trips in each. He could rate a bit closer early in here and let's see how he handles the switch to Santos in the saddle. 6-PATH TO SUCCESS is going to need some pace to chase as he drops in class today. I figure her runs on late but am a bit concerned that he is winless at the distance and has only one victory in 23 starts over this track.

Confused by the return of Sawyer Fox but going to try to beat that one. 2-THE RIDGE wasn't asked to do too much as he gradually improved and broke his maiden last out. He takes the logical move here and should be able to contend from on or near the lead the entire way. 1-CROWN ROYAL KID raced well in his debut before being claimed on the drop in his last. He has been away from the races for some time as we will see if he needs a start off the return. 6-SAWYER FOX was good early on but has been away from 11 months. He has been working in Kentucky toward the return and does race for the higher Illinois-bred tag.

Not much along the lines of pace in this race as I'll look to 7-SAFECRACKER SUE to contend early and battle throughout. She looks to have been a bit better since the move to the grass and should sit off the flank of Babe in the Woods. 6-MACHIVA posted a good race with the move to the grass in her last as she was able to run on late. She needs some pace to close into here as Graham is listed to ride. 4-ERNESTINA drops from the maiden allowance as she will also look to close ground in the lane. The added distance could benefit her chances.

A very evenly matched field. There looks to be some pace as a stalking trip could be in store for 3-ALYANAABI as he picks up Loveberry in the saddle. He chased a tough one in Maqamat last out but appears to get a dream trip today. 2-ONE WAY HOME has had success at Hawthorne as he figures to show some speed. He may be a bit better going longer though but has run in the money in six of eight at this distance. 6-CODETOWIN is pretty honest as he makes his second start off the layoff. He has won half of his ten Hawthorne starts and is another one that may benefit if the pace is quick and contested upfront.

Not high on anyone in here as I'll go back to a horse I picked two starts ago in 7-BABAS GAL. She looked good that day and was able to run on late. The pace shouldn't be that fast upfront in here as she may be able to grind her way to a victory. 3-FLATHEAD FINALE is another that comes back from Iowa as she ran a good race against much better earlier in the meet. If she runs back to the race nobody is going to catch her. The concern is just the consistent drop since that start. 1-IRISH SPARK improved to post a third place effort in her last and is back at the same level once again. If there's some pace in from of her, expect her to pick off horses in the lane.

This is a great field for the feature on the card. There is some pace along the inside which should set things up for someone to run on late. That horse could be 9-MEGAN'S HONOR as he was a strong second at this level two back. He has never missed the board in four starts at the distance and is 8 for 10 on the board over this racetrack. 1-BACKGROUND comes in from Kentucky for today's race. He has speed but may have to work for the lead if he chooses to go. The intent is there though as she should be tough. 7-C F V BULLET has won two in a row as he will also likely rate and run on late. He takes another step up in class but this barn has had success with these moves in the past.

A lot of horses in here that have been looking to get onto the turf. The forecast looks good as 1-PILKINGTON gets the nod. He tries the Hawthorne turf for the first time today and gets some pace to the outside to set things up for the closing move. 2-GOLDENTOWN picks up Graham in the saddle as he was a good second in his last. Loveberry rode him in New Orleans in the fall as he could be running alongside Pilkington into the lane. 7-SPINNING HEART is one of those with speed as he should contend much of the way. He battled over a firm course in June and ran well on the main track in his last.