Handicapper Tips & Picks

Babies kick off the day with a solid field. 2-BIG D looks the part and has ability. He was a bit active at the gate, resulting in a scratch before his initial dirt debut. With a race under his belt, I expect he shows more in here. 6-GOOD AND NAUGHTY raced at Fairmount first out and ran a decent race. I think he catches things a bit tougher here as he runs for a top barn. 1-GOGH draws the fence for his second start. He has some late run in his turf debut and the barn has had an exceptional meet.

A decent amount of pace for a short field in here. Went to 5-MCMONEY as he should be able to rate and run on late. He rallied on the dirt three back and has the back class. 6-ICE AXE has the ability to rate and rally too. He was a good second last out and should provide some value. 1-CONTRABANDISTA also could close late. His form in his last couple isn't great but he has numbers early in the year that are competitive with these.

Taking a bit of a price shot in here as 3-UNKEPT PROMISES shifts back to the main track. He has tactical speed in a race that is lacking pace and picks up Mojica in the saddle, who was aboard him in his race with his best figure. 6-ROARING VIXEN has been rather consistent, stalking the pace and running on late. I like his effort two back as he could also sit a bit closer early in here. 2-ACOUSTICAT ran some nice races at Oaklawn and his turf efforts were solid as well. My concern for him is the price will be short and there won't be a ton of pace to chase.

Turf runners in a race where there's a pair likely to take some action. 4-SUPRISE ME AGAIN has some tactical speed. She encountered some traffic trouble in her last before running on late. With the shorter field today, she should be able to work out a trip. 2-RIETTA has some speed as she should get a great trip. There's no knocks on her, aside from the potential of being a short price. 5-MADELYN ATTACK could be one to show some speed in here. She set the fractions in her last and hung around late at a huge price. She won't provide quite that value in here but can't be completely dismissed.

It's going to be very tough to beat 8-RUSSIAN TO WIN in here. He has tactical speed, back class, and has gotten a check in all but one race since being claimed eight starts back. He's likely to be claimed out of here, but should go out on a win. 9-SONNYISNOTSOFUNNY has run some decent races at Hawthorne in the past and fits well at this distance. He also has some tactical speed and may provide a little value as well. 4-FAITHFUL RULER has speed as he will look to try to steal this race. The distance suits and he also gets some class relief.

Block runners could go 1-2 in here as 7-LEADING THE CHARGE and 6-EVEN THE WIND are both in with shots. The Indiana-bred Leading the Charge has only raced once at Hawthorne, running third over a yielding turf here last summer. He was a good second in Indiana last out and should get pace to chase. 6-EVEN THE WIND has some ability and should also benefit from a potential pace battle upfront. He just missed in his last but consistently closes late. 5-LAMPLIGHTER JACK just has to avoid a pace duel with All Choked Up. He stalked and pounced two back in a perfect effort but went way too fast early in his last and had nothing in the lane.

This could be a good rider's race as there's a couple who potentially could show speed but none committed to the front. Looking to 3-SIXWILLBERICH as he runs for the new connections today. He has tactical speed in a race lacking pace and should tuck in right behind Slava Ukraini early. 6-ALVIN will be hoping for some speed to close into as he should provide some value. He has shown a bit more in his last couple and could pick off some runners late. 2-GLOBAL EMPIRE disappointed a bit as the heavy favorite last out. He is still looking for his first win of the year but could string some races together pretty quickly.

Turf maidens to close out the day. 3-CASH APP MIKE has been at his best on the grass. He rallied late in his last and gets the mile distance again which should suit him well. 5-COOL LESTER SMOOTH stretches out today as he is bred to handle the two turns. With the added distance I expect he shows some speed as he will take action in here. 8-SAN ANTON ran OK in his last couple but could show some more. He made a middle move in his last and may be better in his third start since the layoff.