Handicapper Tips & Picks

Any of these five can win a competitive opener. Off her last start, 4-DISGUISED DEVIL should take her share of action. She chased a well meant winner in Smoked in her debut and was running on late. She goes a 16th further which can only help her chances. 2-TRINITY'S PRIZE debuts with Lasix for Block. She has put together a consistent work pattern leading to her debut as she was snappy from the gate in her most recent drill. Block has his ready first out and she may provide some value in here. 5-KELLY'S GIRL makes her first start as a three-year-old as she gets Lasix as well. She ran a decent race after a slow start in her first out and has since worked well. She's another that may provide some value.

Another field that is very competitive as the six furlong distance could be the get. Off his last effort, I'll look to 4-COALMINER'S KITTEN in here. He was closing quickly late in his last and was getting to today's likely favorite, Supremely in there. The added eighth can only help today. 6-SUPREMELY was game in victory in his last. He rated well early and ran on late under a fine ride by Murrill. Felix takes the call today and is more than capable in the saddle. 5-PHILIPSBURG (IRE) loves this track, finding the board in five of six Hawthorne starts. This barn has been excellent this meet as this one has been a good claim for trainer Hernandez.

There's pace on the rail with likely favorite Findaway in here as I'm looking to 6-CUPID'S WAR to pull off a slight upset in this spot. I like that despite being claimed from his last, he keeps Roman in the saddle as these two look to be a good fit. 1-FINDAWAY will take action as he has been claimed from his last couple. The fact that he was claimed back by Rivelli is a positive sign as he should show speed and contend the entire way. 4-ANCIENT MAN is back sprinting as this looks to be the spot for him. He ran well at five furlongs two back and will be charging in the lane if there's a pace battle upfront.

Not a ton of pace in this race which should benefit the chances of 5-BIGFOOT SIGHTING. Although his speed has been around two turns, he should be forwardly placed in a bunched up field where the pace will be slow. He has progressed in this last two and I like that he's not asked to do too much in here. 2-VALIANT WELL is well spotted in here off a good effort at Fonner last out. Although winless at Hawthorne, he has found the board in four of six over the track. Look for him to close from the second flight. 4-PAPA'S NICO BOY steps up off a nice victory in his last. That was a game effort in his first start with Lasix. While the figures don't quite match up, this barn is sharp and should show continued improvement.

A good allowance field with a pair along the inside with early speed. I'm hoping Frankel Baby goes and 1-MANAGING MISCHIEF looks to rate just off as that looks to be where she runs best. She has a good win at Will Rogers two back and may benefit from the rail draw. Boyce has two as both 4-BEEHIVE and 6-DEVIL could be factors in here. 4-BEEHIVE has never missed the board in ten Hawthorne starts and comes in off a sharp work. Expect her to tuck in just off the pace and rally in the lane. 6-DEVIL also likes it here at Hawthorne as she may close from a bit further back. The distance suits but with regular rider Centeno aboard Beehive, I move that one up slightly over Devil.

Let's see if we can catch a price in here with 2-DRAMA SPEAKER as she makes her first start as a three-year-old. She gets Lasix in here as she steps back up. Her last race was an excellent effort after a very rough break. If she can get away well in here, there's potential she shows speed and is a factor every step of the way. 5-CHEVAL B ran well on dirt in her last, chasing the entire way. That effort showed that she isn't only a turf horse, but we won't get 8-1 this time out. 7-ROMANAYA comes in for Gutierrez as she's another that stretches out. She improved in her last and is well spotted in here.

Another spot where there isn't much pace as 6-TEMPER TANTRUM looks to get the job done as the favorite. He has been solid at Hawthorne as the last time he was on the dirt here was in a good third place effort against Stakes runners in 2023. He runs at the bottom now and we will see if anyone goes in for him for $7,500. 4-WILDWOOD'S WARRIOR benefits from the lack of pace as he comes in off a near miss last out. He chased a slow pace in there and just got outnodded at the wire. Look for a very similar trip once again today. 1-ROCKET HOTSHOT drops in class off a solid effort in his last. Double Thunder was a well meant winner in that spot but this one did run on while wide late. Let's see if he sits a bit closer early from the rail draw.