Handicapper Tips & Picks

Maidens open the day in a spot where there's a couple with speed to set things up for one to come from a bit back. I'm hoping that one is 6-GONNA PICK DOMENIC as he has been facing tougher to open his career and shortens up off a dirt route at Oaklawn in his last. He ran some respectable races while sprinting at Gulfstream and may be overlooked in here. 3-IDIOSYNCRASIES will be the one to beat as he has been right there in all four career races. He has speed and will likely be on the gas from the start. Let's see if he can clear Ultimate Fighter early or if he's hooked up in a pace battle. 5-DYNO WAR shortens up as he looks to rally late for Felix & Morey. He's been an every other start type of horse on his young career which means he should be sitting on a good race today.

Tough race as only a couple have gone two turns. Those with that experience will get my top looks as I'll give the nod to 4-CHEVAL B on top. She has been on the turf in all seven starts so the dirt could be the question but she worked a solid half here last week. She should be a slightly better price than Reimagine as she runs for the hot Lopez barn. 2-REIMAGINE has to be given a look as she comes in off four straight on the grass. She will need a little pace to chase as she should come running in the lane. 5-CODE OF CONDUCT could be the sleeper in this spot off a near miss at Fonner in her last. She faces a bit tougher for company in here but has gone two turns and is another likely to close ground late.

Maiden claimers in the third with no real standout in this race. Not too worried about the outside draw for 7-HOLDEN MICHAEL as he comes off a start at a mile against similar in New Orleans in his last. He is fit for this spot and may just need to sit a bit closer early in a race lacking pace. 4-MY LAST ESCAPADE showed speed while sprinting in his last and was a good second at a nice price. He has route experience, narrowly winning at this distance and may look to rate close at two turns. 5-WESTEROS comes out of the same race with My Last Escapade in his last as he chased before giving way in that race. He did show speed while going two turns at Oaklawn two back and may be positioned to inherit the early lead in here.

Looks like the speed in on the inside and outside in this spot. But neither of those horses necessarily need the front. Going to the slightly better price with 1-CRYSTAL SNOW on top as she has had her best success here at Hawthorne. She closed against better here last fall and has recently knocked on the door for her second career victory. Centeno is familiar with her and back aboard today. 7-ANNIE'S HOPE has speed on the outside as she makes her second start at this level. She broke her maiden against better and may be looking for a win and a claim in here. If the pace does hook up, maybe it sets things up for 3-THE LAST THRILL to close late. She's worked consistently toward her return and drops to the lowest level of her career.

He may have needed his last as I expect 3-GITA'S LAD to show speed in here and have much more left in the tank in the lane. He has posted 12 of his 13 career victories over this Hawthorne strip as Murrill has been riding very well to open the meet. 5-PLAIN OR PEANUT stalked and ran on late in his last as he may have needed that race off the layoff. He's another with a chance to improve as he figures to take action in here. 1-U S HONOUR NAP wanted to go early in his last but was wrangled back. I expect he is allowed to show a bit more early speed in here as he should be pressing Gita's Lad early on.

4-MY LADY SLEW posted a sharp effort in her last as she battled every step of the way, just missing to a game Be My Bestie. She catches a slightly shorter field in here and just needs to try to shake Smile at the Storm early. She's at her best a Hawthorne as we will see if the added 16th hurts or not. 6-A REAL HERO will be hoping the two pace horses duke it out upfront as she figures to rate and rally late. Her last two starts have been solid as she has posted a pair of runner-up efforts in her two starts at 5 1/2. 2-AWESOME SUNDAY will also hope for the pace to chase in here as she closed nicely in her last. The added distance should help her chances as her Hawthorne record is very solid.

There's not a ton of pace in this race as it looks like 4-RUNAWAY CHARLIE should be on or near the lead in here. He held his own while at a big price in new Orleans in his last and should have no issue going two turns. Let's see how much action he takes in here. 1-BATTLEOFLEXINGTON is going to take action as he is another that has been right there in recent starts. He's going to need some pace to chase but I wouldn't be surprised if he settles a bit closer with the rail draw. 7-COMMISSIONER OSCAR steps up for his first start of the meet as he has worked consistently toward his return. I like the recent mile work as the price should be right.