Handicapper Tips & Picks

Of the L. Rivelli  pair #5 WILD DREAMS presents upside for this second start and with the class change in this race. She was GREEN and from a visual standpoint PRERACE- in the paddock on debut that carried out in running making a RUSH before duel/FTQ and on left lead late behind a dominant open length pacesetting winner, Midnight Mary. Number wise WILD DREAMS could present a move forward and off the debut that figure already in line with those consistently recorded from #2 ARRIVEDERCCI one that has NO_LINE in the two starts this season while also showing gate (TROUBLE_S) issues since the debut last July.

On numbers, 4yo #1 SAFECRACKER SUE has recorded some of the higher in this field and for the level holding the B- OptixGRADE slight edge over #4 ENTICING OPTION both returning to this level from the 5/1 common race. The return to the sprint distance requires A. Centeno to be assertive as was the case three weeks ago chasing pacesetting winner, Golden Note, and the course tougher to make up ground.

#3 WAGGLE PASS the other 4yo in the field also holding upside second start of the meet and worth following prerace as she coming off the layoff last week WASTED a lot of energy prior to the start and on a warmer day could have played a role in the outcome and SLOG from the rail also doing her no favors. 

#4 UNCAPTURED PULSE brings in current form and tactical speed (Standard Q1) from the races this season. That includes the start two weeks ago with a slightly higher par than today’ s race and from the races others exit showing up here. That includes their stablemate, #5 CHAMPAGNE MIKE one that has the benefit of some improvement race to race this season and their better races on par while could see the front wrap removal, something to look for as a change along with rider, A. Centeno taking over.

#3 VANISKY with upside and buried form from the Oaklawn series of races found themselves back into competitive ways earlier this month and should transfer right back in this group. The shorter sprint distance was a concern, first time in a long time, though  back class, form and figures carried as it should once again, though trip (with a pattern of gate issues) must be considered when assessing value.

When looking at overall numbers #1 MR. UNIVERSE has recorded some of the higher in this field. There is still a question of whether they are that same horse after missing the extended period of time off, 968-days into the return two weeks ago. Reasonable to say they might have needed the race and also noted they were heavily washed out (WARM) something to look for here.

The distance change comes into play for others in this field including #6 ICE AXE one that has shown some run in the races this season with “trips” along the way. They hold numbers in this group to fit on par and competitive on that front though still require racing luck while price compensation should be there again. 

The default move is to lean on the higher percentage barns with L. Rivelli showing up with the pair – #2 MARY MOONGLOW taking this spot second off and following a scratch in a $25k MCL event earlier this month as some reservation; #3 ESCOVEDO returning from the 160-day layoff showing early speed and NO_FINISH in each of the two starts. DiVito debut runner, #6 BALLYBAY BEAUTY makes her belated debut one that has published works extended back through last year and returning this season with the series at Oaklawn while not entered and working a local half mile last week to prepare for this race.

That trio (along with the established and consistent #5 LA REYNITA) project to take the bulk of the wagering support while the other two should sit at longer odds and not out of it. #4 OMAHA STAMP debuted last August at Hawthorne on the main track earning a figure in line with her stablished rivals and that race first out while also in the juvenile season to project upside or at the least a repeat to stack up on par. #1 ROARING VIXEN with the edge on recency showed run following the SLOG first out and some KICKBACK- making a WIDE MOVE behind a Slow early and late pace, factors to suggest we have no seen their best. 

The default move is to lean on the higher percentage barns with L. Rivelli showing up with the pair – #2 MARY MOONGLOW taking this spot second off and following a scratch in a $25k MCL event earlier this month as some reservation; #3 ESCOVEDO returning from the 160-day layoff showing early speed and NO_FINISH in each of the two starts. DiVito debut runner, #6 BALLYBAY BEAUTY makes her belated debut one that has published works extended back through last year and returning this season with the series at Oaklawn while not entered and working a local half mile last week to prepare for this race.

That trio (along with the established and consistent #5 LA REYNITA) project to take the bulk of the wagering support while the other two should sit at longer odds and not out of it. #4 OMAHA STAMP debuted last August at Hawthorne on the main track earning a figure in line with her stablished rivals and that race first out while also in the juvenile season to project upside or at the least a repeat to stack up on par. #1 ROARING VIXEN with the edge on recency showed run following the SLOG first out and some KICKBACK- making a WIDE MOVE behind a Slow early and late pace, factors to suggest we have no seen their best. 

A solid projection this race moves to the main track, a scenario that provides #7 SHARP STICK a further upgrade with the surface/distance main track  experience this season. In addition, one can project improvement from those races with the sprint return a likely prep on 4/10 and placed with the stretch out second off on 5/1 had a legitimate EX _ EXCUSE with the rider out of the irons early and also up close to a Very Fast early pace.

They are unlikely to be on the lead even with some of the others in this field with the main track form this year as #5 FROSTY VIEW on the stretch and #9 LITTLE STEVEN (HARD effort to win 4/17) should be forward and could likely see #4 NEW YEAR SURPRISE could see themselves in that early picture, assisting the first run trip for SHARP STICK.

A surface switch might see #2 EVEN THE WIND and #6 DOUBLE HEAT defect and while that could also be the case for #1 MAASAI WARRIOR as the connections appear looking for the turf, though in terms of main track form MAASAI WARRIOR fits as a contender and upgraded from the 5/3 EVD race making a MOVE and even with those potential scratches could still find a pace scenario to suit their runstyle here. 

#1 EMPIRICAL VIEW at the least appeared a PREP coming off the layoff three weeks ago needing the race and while coming up short, her stablemate Vegas Condo came through and up late at the wire for the 5/1 win. EMPIRICAL VIEW should hold fitness and a move forward making a RUSH X_FLOW and contesting the pace with show finisher, Shesinthearmynow, one that came back to win assertively on the front end last Sunday.

EMPIRICAL VIEW does not need the leas especially sprinting as some of the “PREP” also suggested for a STRETCH and based on their prior placement. There are others in here (#4 CLIQUE, #5 THERDGOESONFOREVER, #6 SUNSET EXPRESS and #8 SMOKED) that can race on or near the lead and for O. Mojica to look for a tracking trip with first run.

#9 SWEET MUSIC also from the 5/1 common race made a positive PRERACE+ appearance and also brought a lot of wagering support off the layoff and will look to validate those expectations to step up off that 4^th place outcome returning here. Post wise she moves from one extreme to the other with the rail last out, potentially playing a role as she broke SLOG (bobble, lunged out, broke in) though was also fractious in the GATE. In running, she showed a solid MOVE over a course that was tough to make up ground with the higher winds.

#2 SURPRISE ME AGAIN return from the layoff and back sprinting, the surface/distance of her MSW win last season.  A strong effort making a WIDE MOVE and CLOSE on the day and number wise some of her higher figures on this main track, however, must show up with improvement off those sophomore numbers with today’s group, runners with higher recorded figures at this point. 

#4 DICK BEST has not been able to show as much, their best, coming off the layoff this year and can return to a top effort in here. The race par for today’s event is one where they have been competitive and won in the past and as far as the races this year presented upside second off on 5/3 though caught a higher par, the outside post and a flow-upgrade making a WIDE RUSH into a Fast early pace. The distance change comes into play though going back in their career handled shorter and figures wise the same on the turf and dirt going longer.

DICK BEST presents upside and value when compared to rival #5 GOLD SWEEP also exiting the races at Oaklawn Park and claiming events showing who they are in those races, form that fits here though less exciting at a shorter number overall. Mojica sticks with #2 JOE THE TAILOR, a horse they have paired up competitive place finishers with last year, both races in statebred allowance company, competitive though does catch a higher par, something similar to closing out the year on 10/13 running at odds of 16.6-1 on the day.

#7 MONDOGETSBUCKETS will be tested against winners though tested since their first two starts in contentious MSW company at CD showed some class, class that has carried this year with the adversity coming off the layoff on 3/30 and followed up with the score three weeks later. Those two races tougher battles in each has been given time, 32-days to regroup before landing here to hold their form.  

#8 LUCKY SHOT bring in current form and looking at the Plot a favorable runstyle for today’s race shape. They should also hold value, something key with the competitive nature on this race with many stacking up as contenders. LUCKY SHOT brings in current form and every other pattern while projecting to move up following the KEE race last month unable to get into the running following a SLOG. Some intent could follow with the timing for this race, the circuit switch as well as rider with A. Santos following a smart ride to win last September jumps back aboard today.

#1 EYE DEE KAY  just barely sneaks into the eligibility to race protected with a slight class edge on that front. This marks their second start of the year and a clever claim for $25k last month with a solid speed figures recorded and show finish they could move up from (at the least repeat) making a positive PRERACE+ appears and with TROUBLE_S made a SAVED MOVE with the top two together at the wire in a four horse field.

#3 BLOW TORCH also racing protected here following the reclaim and sneaking by the claim box last month at Oaklawn when running for the $7.5k tag for the first time. They were a reclaim for C. Rosin, a barn that has had plenty of success with this horse and plenty of times at Hawthorne running under a similar or even higher par. Their local race record, is not as hidden (compared to current form) showing up on the pp’s, something that could catch the public eye and might come down from the double digit assignment.

The local race record also carries to #4 SHACKLEFORD STRONG one that along with that Hawthorne success includes the turf win on 5/11 while reuniting with regular rider, O. Hernandez, a rider that had a lot of confidence and success with them. SHACKLEFORD STRONG also races protected here with the early 2023 claiming races while in the C. Rosin barn.

#7 FAITHFUL RULER is the lone runner in for the claiming tag, a move the connections must make to run in this spot. They were claimed for $30k back in May of 2022 and have run for the claiming tag in the past including the layoff return in 2023 for $15k to make this move less concerning at this point and more just looking for the level where they can compete. A. Centeno will take over today has had plenty of success for this barn and while second off the layoff will find some changes removing the short-term blinker experiment and will also not the addition of front wraps off the bench last month and something to look for here as well.

Their (FAITHFUL RULER) early speed should be on display and present a hurdle for #2 PHILIPSBURG one that in addition to race shape will find today’s race par a step up from their recent races and require price compensation on the win end that might not be there. 

Curious to see how this race unfolds. The Rivelli runners will take action but may be able to get upset. 1-SAFECRACKER SUE is overdue for a victory. She raced well in her last and should get a good stalking trip. 4-ENTICING OPTION will be a price. She will benefit if the pace is swift upfront. 5-WILD DREAMS showed speed on turf first out. I prefer her of the Rivelli duo in here.

Just repeat his last race and 3-VANISKY is a winner. The was a big figure, he showed more early speed, and gets Loveberry in the saddle. 4-UNCAPTURED PULSE has speed and ran well for Ulloa last out. Expect to find him on the early lead in here. 2-ANCIENT MAN has raced five times this meet. His better efforts are at sprints as he should be closing in the lane.

Thinking 2-MARY MOONGLOW shows even more in her second start of the year. She added blinkers in her last and did run on late. 6-BALLYBAY BEAUTY debuts for DiVito with Lasix. The barn typically has theirs ready early and this one has been working well toward her first start. 5-LA REYNITA has been solid in her two Hawthorne starts. The barn has had a great meet and she has tactical speed to keep her in the mix.

With recent rain there is question of if this one will be on or off the turf. I'm leaning toward off and looking to 9-LITTLE STEVEN. He was a good winner on the front end in his last and should be on or near the lead the entire way in here. 1-MAASAI WARRIOR looks solid on either surface. He has run well in some off turf races and just needs some pace to chase. 7-SHARP STICK is another that is good on either surface. He should be able to rate in the second flight early and un on in the lane.

A very competitive race to close things out. 2-PHILIPSBURG has speed but doesn't need the lead to win. He's a very consistent racehorse who has run well in his starts here at Hawthorne. 5-COALMINER'S KITTEN was a good winner in his last, beating Philipsburg in that start. He will need pace to chase and may find it in here. 6-SUPREMELY was a good winner two back before running a solid fourth in his last. He's another that will benefit from pace to chase as he looks to run on late.

5-WILD DREAMS and 2-ARRIVEDERCCI, both trained by Larry Rivelli, both drop. Both have speed and both have a chance to wire the field. 3-WAGGLE PASS is finally in the right spot. She was overmatched in her first race in 2023, ran well on synthetic in her second race in 2024 and tried turf in last, her first race in 16 months. 1-SAFECRACKER SUE just finished second at the level. However, she has had a lot of races against similar rivals and she remains a maiden.

3-VANISKY looks like he could be a “single” in horizontal wagers. He narrowly missed in last to a runner that would be 3-5 in this spot. A little concerned that the pace of this race might not be ideal for his closing move but he did show in last that he’s capable of racing close to the front end and still finishing well. 4-UNCAPTURED PULSE could be the main competition. He displays more consistent speed than his rivals and he could provide a mild surprise if he doesn’t face any early pressure. Might take another look at 1-MR UNIVERSE. He showed little in last, his first race since 2022, but he’s dropping to his lowest level ever. Though he had been at his best on the lawn, at this level anything can happen.

Tough little maiden race. This is the kind of contest where you can make a case for almost every runner in the race. But think I’ll go with 6-BALLYBAY BEAUTY. This well-bred first timer has been training well for a barn that excels with their first timers. The trainer has been red hot. Think she’ll be ready for these. 2-MARY MOONGLOW could be the better of the two Rivelli-trained runners in here. She finished second here in her debut last year and just finished third in Indiana while making her 2025 debut. She’ll have to fight for the early lead but think she’s up to the challenge. 5-LA REYNITA wasn’t showing much in Louisiana to start her career but she’s had two races here and ran well in both. She finished third in her local debut and second in last. 3-ESCOVEDO, the other Rivelli runner, displayed good speed in both her races, last year here on dirt and most recently at Fair Grounds on the lawn. We’ll see how far she can carry her speed today. 4-OMAHA STAMP ran well here on dirt last year. She was overmatched on turf at Kentucky Downs following that race but she’s back here now and running with first Lasix. Her works have been slow but she can’t be entirely dismissed. 1-ROARING VIXEN finished well back in her debut here but she did have some traffic trouble. Could fare better with a clean trip.

This race was scheduled for turf but it rained a lot over the last couple days so it has been moved to the main track at a mile and 70 yards distance. Not sure of scratches yet so I’ll have to guess who is racing. There are possible showers today so really won’t know about track condition until close to post time.

5-FROSTY VIEW was entered for turf but he had only one lackluster start on that surface. On the other hand, he has done pretty well on the main track. Like that he had two races on off tracks, winning one and finishing third in the other. He does look like the quickest of these but his ability to get the distance is questionable. 7-SHARP STICK’S last race can be excused. His rider lost his irons (stirrups) early and though he continued to run for most of the race, he was never a serious contender at any point. Though he has been better on turf, he does have a dirt win and he’s dropping in class. 9-LITTLE STEVEN is another with a dirt victory, he just wired lower-level claimers in last, but he has run well numerous times while meeting better on the main track.

1-EMPIRICAL VIEW needed last after nearly 11 months away. She displayed good speed in that spot. However, her lone win came on turf when she rallied from far back to win by a head. Would be surprised if she was sent early but wouldn’t be surprised if she was held in reserve to make a big run late. 8-SMOKED is two for two, leading all the way in both races. However, both her races were against Illinois breds and she’ll be meeting open company today. Plus, there is plenty of other speed in this race. Don’t know if she’ll be able to shake them off. 9-SWEET MUSIC could get the trip. She didn’t make a big impact in her first start of the year but runners from her barn generally improve after getting a trip. Like top pick, I expect her to come flying late.

Good race with a solid field. Leaning toward 5-GOLD SWEEP. He had two sharp efforts at Oaklawn this year and got claimed from both. He’s moving into an allowance race but this former stakes winner and Grade 3 stakes-placed runner sports numbers that say he’s the fastest of these. 7-MONDOGETSBUCKETS, fresh off his maiden victory, could be the main competition. He’s had two races since moving to the Block barn, narrowly losing his first for them before a game victory in last. Don’t really like that it’s been five weeks since his last start and that he had only one drill during that span but you know this trainer always places them where they can win. 1-GOOD TO BE A PRINCE certainly figures. In his last five starts, dating back to December, he scored a win, three seconds and a third. Three of those races were against maidens but he’s been solid in tough company since graduating.

This looks like an incredibly competitive race. I literally could not toss out any of these runners. But I probably have to go with 4-SHACKLEFORD STRONG. He came from dead last to win his most recent race on turf but he’s been incredible on our main track, winning eight of his 14 main-track races while sporting some of the highest speed figures of any in here. 2-PHILIPSBURG could be every bit as good as top choice. He’s had eight local dirt starts, winning three, including the last against open company. He finished out of the money only one time in his last 12 starts. It’s possible that the top pair, and a few others, could be fighting it out on the front end. If that happens, 1-EYE DEE KAY could pick them off late. This closer was claimed for $25k from his last start. His new, under the radar trainer, has quietly won with five of the 10 runners he started this meet. Don’t take this runner, or this barn, lightly.