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Hawthorne Race Course

Handicapping Analysis
Thu March 27th, 2025

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Ron's Picks

Hawthorne Race 1

Post Time 2:40 PM CST
Analysis by Ron Uchman
4 Cupid's War - 5/1 2 Shaman Sez - 9/5 3 Captain's Flag - 7/2
Going to give 4-CUPID'S WAR the nod. He’s in poor form but he, at least, has been racing. He’s probably one of the quicker members of this field. Might last on the lead. 2-SHAMAN SEZ last raced in January but he’s had four workouts since. He’s been well beaten in every race other than his maiden win but this just might be the easiest field he ever faced. 3-CAPTAIN'S FLAG drops and turns back in distance. His only “good” race came the only time he raced on an off track and there’s a good chance that he’ll get that condition today. 

Hawthorne Race 2

Post Time 3:05 PM CST
Analysis by Ron Uchman
4 Westeros - 8/1 7 Berkus [FR] - 5/2 6 Ragnow - 8/1

4-WESTEROS has raced at lower claiming levels but this is, without a doubt, the softest spot he has entered. Good speed and the short sprint distance, as well as leaving the toughest meet in the country, could allow him to surprise this group. Not in love with runners dropping to half the price they were claimed for in their previous race but always have to consider anything starting for Rivelli. 7-BERKUS fits that description. 6-RAGNOW makes his first start off the claim. His barn is having a great year, they do well with their first-time claims, and he popped an eye-opening drill, guessing with the blinkers, at FG...the best of 114 on that day. 

Hawthorne Race 3

Post Time 3:30 PM CST
Analysis by Ron Uchman
5 Breakout Star - 8/5 4 Mystifier - 9/2 7 Slava Ukraini - 3/1
5-BREAKOUT STAR woke up after getting claimed by this barn. He won his first race for them and returned with a third-place finish in a tougher field. Adds blinkers for this try. Looks like the best of these. 4-MYSTYFIER has been finishing up the track at Oaklawn but he’s dropping a couple levels to make his local debut. He’s been at his best on turf but he should be competitive on dirt at this low claiming level. 7-SLAVA UKRAINI took a couple months off after a dull race in January but a couple decent drills since should have him back on his toes. Has had most of his success on this track. Should be a major player. 

Hawthorne Race 4

Post Time 3:55 PM CST
Analysis by Ron Uchman
3 Starina - 6/5 6 Mo Smoking - 4/1 1 Beads - 9/2

3-STARINA looks like the best of these. When she fires, she displays a pretty good late move. This is probably the easiest field she has faced since breaking her maiden. She’s had five drills since her last race in the middle of January. Guessing she’s ready for them. 6-MO SMOKING is in better form than most. She’s been racing against Louisiana breds lately and coming from off the pace but she used to display good early speed and she could be tough to catch if they choose to send her to the lead. 1-BEADS completes the route-sprint-route cycle. Expect her to display better early speed with the stretch out. Has a chance to surprise on the lead. 

Hawthorne Race 5

Post Time 4:21 PM CST
Analysis by Ron Uchman
8 Breaking News - 3/1 5 Alyanaabi - 6/1 10 Risky Boy - 10/1

8-BREAKING NEWS is a versatile runner that can handle different pace scenarios. This consistent runner will probably be laying right off the pace in this field containing many other front runners. He gets last year’s top rider. He races for a barn that does well with layoff runners. 5-ALYANAABI is probably the quickest member of this field. However, he’s had only one published drill since his last race in September. Not sure he’s going to be fit enough but if he does secure an easy early lead, he might be able to keep the rest at bay. 10-RISKY BOY figures to be stalking the early pace and could get up late with an aggressive move. 

Hawthorne Race 6

Post Time 4:47 PM CST
Analysis by Ron Uchman
3 Nadjameansbusiness - 8/1 1 Cumberland Falls - 7/2 2 Elodine - 6/1

3-NADJAMEANSBUSINESS makes her first start against winners. But she is fit, she could be the quickest member of this field, and she gets a sharp rider that will be able to nurse her speed on the front end. 1-CUMBERLAND FALLS has often met better. However, she hasn’t been in the best form and she’s pretty much a route runner, though she has displayed decent speed in the past. However, it might take her too long to reach top speed and this race is so short. 2-ELODINE is another recent graduate. She’s obviously meeting better here but she is in better form than most members of this field.  

Hawthorne Race 7

Post Time 5:13 PM CST
Analysis by Ron Uchman
8 Go Stormin Girl - 6/1 1 Dixie Penny - 5/1 4 Be My Bestie - 3/1

8-GO STORMIN GIRL makes her first start for this barn but she’s back at Hawthorne and she has been wildly successful here, scoring 10 0f her 12 victories here. She likes the front end but she’s just as good when coming from off the pace. Should be tough either way. 1-DIXIE PENNY and 4-BE MY BESTIE both figure prominently. Neither is in good form but both ship in from the tough Oaklawn meet where they have been racing regularly.