Handicapper Tips & Picks

A competitive race to open the day as there's not a ton of speed in here. It's a slight step up but 2-MARK MY MEMORY looks to be well spotted for Berndt as he comes off a solid effort in his last. That start was his first with Lasix as he chased before giving way. In here I expect he carries his speed a bit further. 6-RED RIZZLER is overdue for his maiden score as he raced well at this level last out. He should be in a chasing spot early today as a repeat of his last will put him right there. 1-RUMBLING also steps up but figures in this spot. He raced from the second flight in his last and ran on late. This is his second start with the addition of Lasix as he's a potential price play.

I'm not sure anyone can beat 6-MISS MIKOS in here as she makes her second start of the year. She has been solid at Hawthorne and comes out of a tough starter at Oaklawn in her last. Look for early speed from her in here as she should be able to contend the entire way. 2-CHIQUITA REINA comes in from Oaklawn as she has raced with mixed results that meet. She will need some pace to chase as she figures to close ground in the lane. 3-ABSOLUTE MIRACLE is another that has been solid at Hawthorne and could also show some speed. She tried the turf in her last but a main track return should move her up.

Solid field of optional claimers with a few in here with early speed. Looking to 6-LUNDBERG as he comes in off a victory at Oaklawn in his last. He has run well here in the past and while he has early speed, he doesn't need to lead to win. 2-CORTESE won at this level in his last. He stalked the leaders early and took over with an impressive stretch move. He's another that has been fantastic at Hawthorne. 4-IT'S BOBS BUSINESS ran a good third behind Cortese in his last, while at a good price. He will be hoping for a contested pace ahead of him in here as the added sixteenth should only help.

A competitive field with no real standout. Off the class relief, I'll look to 6-SHIP IT as she makes her second start of the meet. The distance suits and the drop from the Starter race in her last is a big move. Let's see if we can catch a price on her. 4-DIXIE PENNY has been claimed out of her last two, running second in both of those races. She had to chase speed in each as she's another that will benefit from the added distance. 2-FIT AND FAMOUS won on the front end in her last as she steps up a bit for this spot. There are a couple of others with early speed in here as she may be best off rating today.

I don't know if A Real Hero can be beaten today but there won't be any value for a horse that has been inconsistent at times. Just looking for a price as I'll go to 3-RAINY MOUNTAIN for Frank Kirby. She has raced almost solely at Hawthorne, making many of her starts against tougher. She has been working well toward her return as this is the lowest level she's raced at in her career. 4-A REAL HERO has been right there in her last three and should be once again. She will need a little pace to chase but any of her last three starts should put her right there. 5-HEAVENLY HASH has run her best at Hawthorne, but has disappointed a bit this season. She can show a bit more early speed at times as I'm hoping she is asked early.

Hard to knock 6-PHILIPSBURG as he always competes, and often at different levels. He has tactical speed as he may be forced to rate in here with the speed that is to his inside. 3-LAST MINUTE ran a big race in his second career start, winning going away. He has worked well toward his return and should be on the gas from the start. 2-ALL ABOUT TONITE has been claimed in his last two starts and steps up to run protected today. He is another that can show speed and I like that he was claimed back into the Rodriguez barn.

Let's look for an upset in the finale as there's a few in here with the potential to show early speed. If the pace is honest, and contested, maybe 6-CODE RUNNER can pick off horses late, while at a price. He has run well in his two starts on the year and likes this surface. Let's see if he can save some ground early and run on late. 1-DOUBLE THUNDER has also had success at Hawthorne, never running worst than second in seven starts here. He rated close in his last and battled to a win. I expect him to press and contend once again.2-MCMONEY was claimed out of his last as he was a good winner in that spot. He has posted solid speed figures and could be a wise claim for the Banks barn.