Handicapper Tips & Picks

Really hard not to endorse 2-ELODINE as she figures to go favored in this spot. She has been solid at the distance and has enough speed to rate close in a race lacking of pace. She hasn't been worse than second in five starts on the year and should be right there once again. 3-CURLS NITE OUT was solid in an allowance win here on opening weekend. She went to Churchill for her last and caught a sloppy surface. She comes back to Hawthorne today as she could rate close as well. 5-SUPRISE ME AGAIN ran well in her first start of the meet while sprinting. She won around two turns here last fall and has had success with Colon in the saddle.

The controlling pace should come from 4-EUCLID AVENUE as there's little early speed in here. He ran well when making the lead at Oaklawn on April 6 and should be headed for the top once again. 5-DANVILLE likes this track and fits well at this level. He was a sharp winner in starts two and three back and may have to rate closer, much like he did in his April 6 start. 6-MILLARD'S SMILE will need some pace to chase as he figures to settle early and run on late. He has also run well at Hawthorne as the barn has had a fine meet.

Based on the recent races, 3-TAKEITAWAY looks to be a factor as he tries the turf for the first time. He has speed in a race that lacks pace as he could look to clear and never look back.8-SAWYER FOX will take a lot of action in here. The main concern for him is the layoff as this is his first start back since the fall of 2023. His works are solid and the only question is if he will need a race off the layoff. 6-A P BLAZING GREEN has been at his best on turf as he returns to the state-bred ranks. With the bug girl aboard I expect some early speed from him as he should be a threat throughout.

With the top two likely betting choices both with speed, I'll look to 4-TALLAPOOSA as he figures to rate just behind the contested pace and run on in the lane. He was a sharp winner in his last and gets Mojica back aboard. 1-SECESSION will likely be winging in from the inside as he drops slightly from his last start. Look for him to try to make the top and never look back. That trip could be compromised by the speed of 6-THE RIDGE, as he makes his second start of the year. If he can beat Secession to the top, he potentially could steal this one.

Every horse in here is in with a shot. With a chance to show some speed, I'll look to 5-TEXAS HOTTIE as she looks to reverse some poor recent form. She was solid in a turf sprint last June and should be able to clear with the added distance. 4-GETOUTOFMYKITCHEN is the other that should flash some early speed. She led late into the lane in her last and finds things a bit easier in this spot today. 8-CHEVAL B will be looking for some pace to chasse. She was in tougher in her last as the class relief could move her up.

The form of 2-PASTA SALAD RHONDA has been excellent since her return to Hawthorne. She has rated closer in her last couple as there hasn't been much early pace and she could get that same trip again in here. She grinds in the lane and figures to threaten once again. 5-TWO HEARTED pulled off an upset score in her last as she sat closer and wore down the leaders late. She likes this track and the barn has had a great meet. 3-AUTISM COMPASSION was a game winner in her last. She defeated Pasta Salad Rhonda in that spot but has been away since that April 27 start. Her works are consistent though as she looks fit and ready for today's race.

A good field of maidens closes the day with a couple of well regarded runners from their debuts returning. Went on top to 2-BALLYBAY BEAUTY as she was sent away as the 6-5 choice in her debut but only raced evenly in that spot. With the shift to turf and added distance, I expect she sit close early and is a factor throughout. 9-BUTTONS AND LACE was the 3-5 favorite in her first start but was no match for Disguised Devil on that day. She switches over to the turf here as her breeding suggests she can run all day. 8-SADIE'S SWEET RIDE debuted on the grass as she got away slowly in that spot. The race under her belt should help as she looks to rally in the lane.