Handicapper Tips & Picks

Race 6:  6 – 3 – 4

Pick 4 Ticket:  3,4,6 / 4,6,7,8 / 2,4,5,6,9,10 / 1,9  ($72)

#6 Deal’em and Weep (2-1) ran very well last time and figures to improve with that race under his belt. The jock/trainer combo of Mojica and Block are a fantastic 32% at Hawthorne in the last two years.

Race 7:  6 – 7 – 8

This is a complete guess in a race where I need a fresh face. #6 Money Map (12-1) is coming off a long layoff since running last November at Gulfstream. He has plenty of numbers that are more than good enough to win…the problem is those were on turf and synthetic. If he can run at all on this dirt, he’s got a chance to upset this field at a price.

Race 8:  2 – 4 – 5

I wanted to bet #2 Ricky Bobby (12-1) last time, but he was scratched out the race. Now, he’s been off for a while with a shaky work tab. Maybe today is not going to be his day, but I’ll stick with him. He was in razor-sharp form before he went on the shelf for a brief time, and any of those previous efforts from Minnesota can win today.

Race 9:  1 – 3 – 9

Don’t like to be chalky in a big field, but #1 Colosseo (9-5) looks tough today. He ran very well off the layoff at Ellis, although he did get a fast pace to run into. This field is easier than that, and he’ll be able to save ground with that short run going into the first turn. Catalano has been on fire this meet, hitting at 27%.