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Hawthorne Race Course

Handicapping Analysis
Sun August 18th, 2024

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Howard's Late Pick 4

Hawthorne Race 7

Post Time 4:58 PM CST
Analysis by Howard Kravets

Race 7:  3 – 9 - 2

Late Pick 4 Ticket: 2,3,9 / 3,4,5 / 5,6 / 1,6,8  ($27)

Brendan Walsh is an excellent horseman…he brings #3 Normanjito (5-1) to Hawthorne for his first entry of the meet…interesting. She’s a fresh face against okay allowance runners, and if she gets the right trip and improves ever so slightly, she has as big chance at a medium price. Hope Walsh brings more from his barn to Chicago.

Race 8:  4 – 5 - 3

Lukewarm selection here with #4 Beealea (4-1). He is a bit of a win machine with 8 victories in 36 starts. He drops down to the $15k level after facing tougher on a consistent basis. If the early speed develops he’ll have a big chance to run down the early speed.

Race 9:  5 – 6 - 1

I’m not messin’ around here…picking the one of the faves with #5 Frankel Baby (2-1). Her main threat is just to her outside and has a ton of early speed also. Sure, they could hook up…but I hope jockey Santiago breaks and looks to right. If he outbreaks the #6, just go on with it. If the #6 insists on going to the lead, Frankel Baby CAN rate a bit if necessary. Plus, I believe she’s simply a more talented animal.

Race 10:  6 – 8 - 1

Talk about sharp….the #6 Tiz a Country Girl (3-1) is in VERY fine form….just won by 5 open lengths and steps up in class. Trainer Martinez is having a solid meet, winning at 17%. So although it’s a change from Rivelli, I still expect this 5yo mare to run well. And due to the switch in trainers, we might actually get a better price. In the past, this gal was more of a frontrunner, but she’s learned how to rate and go by…that’s an effective way to beat this field if she gets the right ride and trip.