Handicapper Tips & Picks

A solid field opens the day with $25k claimers. There's some pace in this race as I'm hoping 5-WILDWOOD SICILIAN gets a stalking trip and runs on late. He makes his first start of the year and has been working well toward his return. He likes this track and the distance and has to hope another goes with Golden Hornet early. 2-TWIRLING ROSES is another that has been good at Hawthorne as he has raced well through the winter. The price should be right as I expect he is running on in the lane. 1-GOLDEN HORNET has a ton of speed and will likely be winging it from the rail today. He wasn't able to clear in his last which was costly but that race was off a lengthy layoff as well. This is his second start back and he finds easier company.

Pace makes the race and there looks to be only one that is likely to go early. That one is 2-WINGING WAYS as he closed out 2024 on a three race win streak and has worked well toward his return. The barn is off to a hot start, the distance suits, and all he will need is a clean break today. 1-HATCHET CREEK has to hope Hurts So Bad goes after Winging Ways as he will be looking to rate and run on late. He's been good over the track but is winless at this distance. The price will be right though as he should be running on late. 3-HURTS SO BAD has some speed, but it isn't the same as Winging Ways. With that said, if Winging Ways gets away a step slowly, there's a chance Hurts So Bad is forwardly placed and looks to steal this one. Let's see how this race unfolds early.

There's a couple with speed in here but there's not much consistency amongst this field. One that surely needed his last was 3-BLACK RUSSIAN as he was making his second start of the meet on a quick return. He has tactical speed and with a couple who should be forwardly placed to either side of him, a stalking trip may be the perfect trip. 1-RAYFIELD improved in his last as Murrill gave him an excellent ride. He will likely need everything to go his way to win, but if he can save ground early, expect him to pick off runners through the lane. 4-MALIBU FINALE will be one with speed, as he will look to beat Money Agent to the top. He ran well in his first start around two turns last out and likely gained some fitness off that effort.

There's a chance trainer Dino Dizeo could go 1-2 in here. I'll look to the longer of the two prices as 6-AUTISM COMPASSION makes her second start of the meet and was very game in her last. With Hot Dame likely to show early speed, Autism Compassion should be able to press the pace and run on late. Let's see if we can catch a price. 2-MEMPHIS CASH QUEEN faced a tough group in her last as she rated mid pack and ran on late. She likes the distance and finds things a bit easier as she will take her share of action. 5-PASTA SALAD RHONDA steps up off the claim for a barn that has done well to open this meet. I like that Loveberry retains the mount as the only concern will be if she gets enough pace to chase.

Two Rivelli and two Berndt horses in this spot as all are in with a chance. Going to look to 3-STRANGE ARRANGE on top as he makes his second start of the meet and first off the claim. He has tactical speed, likes this track and fits at the distance. 4-YO DAWG chased at this level in his last, finishing less than a length behind Strange Arrange at the wire. His price should be decent today as Mojica gets the call. 2-FROSTY VIEW comes in off the layoff as he has been working well toward his comeback. We will see if he needs a race but expect him to be closing well in the lane.

A solid maiden bunch to close out the card. While the Rivelli runners will take action, I'll look to a slight upset and go to 3-SUNSET EXPRESS in here. She has been consistent in her starts in Florida and has some tactical speed. If she is able to rate in the second flight early, she could get the jump on the late closers. Interesting that Loveberry is aboard 10-ELIZA VANCE in here as stablemate Spinning Glory appears to have the better figures. Eliza Vance has taken action in both of her starts and has a consistent work pattern toward her return. She gets Lasix in here and should be able to clear some horses early. Debuting on the outside is 11-HIGH CLASS LADY as she has worked well toward this start. She comes in with a sharp gate work on April 9 and with the outside draw she will potentially have to show some early speed. Let's see if she takes any action at the windows as she could be a sleeper in here.