Handicapper Tips & Picks

5-SHEZ TWISTED already makes the third start of her career. She showed little in her debut but ran far better when meeting the boys in last at Presque Isle. She was favored in both prior races and will likely go off as a huge favorite again today. They’ll have to catch her. It’s a bit of a crapshoot after top choice. Looking at the runner from the same barn as top choice, 4-BIAGODDESS. Her drills aren’t as fast as those of some in here but her barn wins with around 40% 1st timers and nearly the same with babies. Trainer Michele Boyce also has a couple first timers and she has also been quite successful with those debuting. 1-TUM TAP isn’t working quite as quickly as stablemate Kickin but she will utilize the rider that Boyce most often uses.  

2-RAMBERT seems most likely. Speedy miss is dropping to her lowest level in over a year. She was in far too tough in her first race of the meet but they could have a much harder time catching her at this level. 8-COVENANT LADY looks like the best closer. Although she has had some success at this distance, however, she might prefer longer distances. But the pace of this race should be quick which could enhance her chances. 5-CHROME ATTACK drops to a career low. Hos recent races haven’t been that sharp but she’ll be back on the Hawthorne turf for the first time since September and she’s always done her best running here. 

7-SILKY WARRIOR just missed. She has been consistently good when she races at or near this level. Most she meets today are in poor form. There’s a good chance she’ll take them late. 2-NO NANNETTE NO finished third in last, a few lengths behind top choice, but she’s making her third start of the year and she should be at the top of her game for this race. Will attack in the stretch.  None in here are what you would consider to be quick but 5-HEAVENLY HASH, with the stretch out, could find herself on the lead. Not sure how long she’ll last but if allowed to relax on the lead, she could be right there to the finish.  

Have to give 2-CODE RUNNER the benefit of the doubt. He crushed a group at this level two races back and was expected to repeat against the same foes in last but he just didn’t fire. He was claimed from those last two starts and is now in a barn winning 28% at the meet and 31% with first-time claims. Guessing he’ll bounce back. It’s surprising to see 1-BLURT racing for this trainer but he has been training well for his first start of the year and you can be pretty sure this trainer wouldn’t run him if he didn’t think he was ready. He’s probably the quickest of these. He wired the field in his final start of 2024. Could start his 2025 season the same way. Don't forget 4-GITA'S LAD. He was favored in his first three races of the year and did display good speed in all four of his 2025 races but he’s finally dropping to an easier level. Could challenge for the early lead and if Blurt is a bit short off the layoff, he might be able to zip right by. 6-MISTER CHARMING likely adds to the pace. 5-TWO COOKIE RULE just won at this level beating many of these foes. 

 9-GOLDEN NOTE was in too tough in last, her first start versus winners. She displayed decent speed but lost all chance when she clipped heels in that troubled-filled race. Drops in class and turns back in distance. Think we’ll see a far improved effort today. 6-CUCUY also drops and turns back. She showed little in her only previous race at this distance but she had been in good form in Florida prior to that last start. Might bounce back. 1-QUALITY STORM meets her easiest field ever. She’ll also be racing with second-time Lasix. Could be prepared to give these rivals a run for the money. 

Very competitive race. You should get a good price on whoever you bet...if they win of course. 4-EVEN THE WIN is the logical choice, however. He just missed in last, his first race since August. He’ll be better prepared for this event and the fact that the race is loaded with speed should ensure he’ll get the fast pace ahead of him that he needs to fully utilize his closing move. 1-TIME MUSE finished a bit behind top choice in last but he had considerable trouble and still wound up finishing third. Could far better with a clean trip. 8-NOT FALLING BACK just graduated in maiden claimers but he did it with a flourish, destroying the field by 15 lengths. Stablemate of top choice isn’t the only speed but if he runs the way he did in last, he just might not get caught.