Handicapper Tips & Picks

#1 JET FLIGHT returns second off and to their preferred route distance in this spot. While going shorter on 4/26 off the layoff to their credit turned in a solid B- and should gain conditioning with the GALLOP+ after the wire. Stablemate #3 ROCKET HOTSHOT will give up recency as they return from the layoff here though overall consistent closing runner to come on late under familiar rider E. Giles.

#2 SIXWILLBERICH also returning second off and key rider change for this start. They project to move forward here and gain the conditioning while also holding value projected longer odds today than there were on 4/23.

#5 GLOBAL EMPIRE finds a big change in class and par returning to Hawthorne. With that said he started to lose form with speed figure drop after March and wheels back today without much rest on the two week turnaround. Their overall record on this course and claiming level was consistent last year, though still without a win in 2025. J. Loveberry aboard could make the difference, at the same time should gather additional interest with the rider change. 

#2 WOLF HUNTER has shown in the past to improve with racing and race into shape. That pattern continues here, third off, with progressive Grades and figures. While the race shape is undefined, WOLF HUNTER has enough tactical speed to work a trip.

F. Reyes takes over today shifting L. Colon to #5 MOONRISE DRIVE wheeling back and from the 5/3 start, which did not allow for their best chance to compete. They were compromised by the TROUBLE_S then chased WIDE without much ask/NO_PUSH after.

#4 RUMBLING is deserving of a chance to STRETCH out once again. Their lone start around two turns was MSW over the turf as a juvenile and despite the running line and distant 6^th place outcome they showed interest making a WIDE MOVE. 

ML favorite #1 URBAN RULER should get a favorable trip. They drew the rail which can be tricky at times, though in this case should save ground as rival #3 CHI TOWN PRINCE and #4 BOURBON STREET BOY look to duel and with URBAN RULER saving ground to look for first run.

Number wise they hold the edge over former stablemate #2 BIG D though still a lightly raced type who appears to run to their competition should carry here and represent themselves in this spot. MTO #7 GAME SANTA falls into that same category where they should be sitting on a peak effort now third off racing into shape and following a similar third off pattern when breaking their maiden last summer.

#5 BOTE also should move up should a surface switch come into play with established main track form, less proven on the grass, though at the right level for their abilities on this circuit while running against open company. 

#1 ICE AXE is a bit of a stab in this race though at the same time fits and landing second off with some changes for this race. Today’s race dynamic is slightly different as is the additional half-furlong of ground. Today’s race par is the most significant change and should move up with that alone. They have running with a much higher par since their win last July, that 7/3 par identical to today.

ICE AXE must still work a trip with pace to run at, though the early pace should be honest. All three #2 UNCAPTURED PULSE, #4 LATIN CASINO and #5 DEVILS RED bring in tactical speed to keep the early pace honest. DEVILS RED perhaps some options outside the other trip while holding competitive numbers, a favorable Plot position, and should move up second off in what appeared to be a PREP for them on 5/7 making a late CLOSE racing in the rain/WEATHER as a passing storm came through during the race. 

#4 CULTURE SHOCK earned a follow from the late season debut with TROUBLE_S making a WIDE RUSH and overall PREP to benefit from the experience. Without many options as the meet winding down they ran on the Debutante making a RUSH from the rail into a Fast early pace all factors including the layoff which followed playing a role in outcome. They return here and while racing at the MCL level, in against open they run for the higher $35k tag.

#3 MOEDE’S BEJEWELED could benefit from the change in class and time to mature while also racing first time on Lasix. While they are racing first time for a claiming tag, the $25k on this circuit is not signaling they want to move on and more a placement to find where they can compete coming back this year. They show up with steady works and a live rider for capable connections. In addition, they had some support first out as a the favorite and closed out the season with the TROUBLE_S and NO_PUSH, one perhaps with still more to show.

The first time starting category should be live with L. Rivelli holding the pair in this case. #2 STYLISH GIRL has the more consistent pattern of recent works into this race. #6 WAR TORN GODDESS has the longer series of published works; there are gaps including the two most recent from March 30 until May 10^th. The barn often has FTS capable of showing early speed, a runstyle which could find company as both #5 VERONICAFORTHEWIN and #7 DOTTIE C have shown legitimate early speed. 

#2 LAST MOON makes a belated second start and significant change in class. They caught a solid group in the MSW last August while showing early speed on the day, early speed which should translate here and even present a pace advantage. Worth noting the 8/28 MSW race has been productive with the winner Big D running earlier on the card, third place finisher Bridge Classic returning to break their maiden in their next start; Gogh breaking their maiden here last weekend and even 5^th place finisher Thiever returned to finish second in a MSW subtle trouble trip over the Hawthorne turf on 10/16.

#3 SIG FORTY FIVE showed some run on spots returning in the 4/19 MCL event though not quite on the level of their competition where the DROP should move them up all around and perhaps overlooked for the connections and from the recent finishing positions. Their stablemate #1 LESLEY’S LEGACY, 3yo filly will run against open today and overall one with upside and looking through the others in this field, a move forward is not out of the question and while necessary does not require that big of a jump in a second start to be on their level.

Number wise there is not much between #6 LORD BLOCK and #7 GRAY MIKE the  two established older maiden runners in this field. The change in class for LORD BLOCK presents that class separator in this case returning to MCL company for the first time since last summer and to their credit picked up a place finish under similar conditions last July. 

There are many in this field with surface versatility should a change come into play. #4 HILARIOUS AFFAIR being one of those. They raced on the main track last month, claimed out of that race with the higher par. Going back in their career, they have had not only success turf sprinting but recording some of their higher career speed figures - running back to those numbers which clearly make them the horse to beat.

Similar could be said for common rival, #7 JOE THE TAILOR finishing third in the 4/23 common race and appeared a prep for them coming off the layoff and now returning to the turf course where they picked up a pair of wins (and a pair of place finishes) to suggest intent today. Their stablemate #2 RACARINO the 4/23 common race winner has limited turf intent, certainly worth a look on the main track at the same time, is taking a subtle change when it comes to class and distance.

#1 SHAKE UP holds a win over this turf course and class level keying off the 8/10 start. They were not as effective at Oaklawn, though following that circuit over the winter the races never set up for them. The connections waiting for a return to Hawthorne and rejoin the J. Berndt barn could easily produce a form reversal. 

4-EUCLID AVENUE wired the field in his first start of the meet and will probably be sent right to the lead again in this race. This race is somewhat tougher but there are no other real front runners in the field, though Jet Flight might be first from the gate. This gelding could assume the lead before going a quarter and continue to lead the rest of the way. 1-JET FLIGHT was a solid second in his first start of the year. That race was a sprint, however, and he’s been better going two turns. The stretch out works in his favor but he’s got to keep pressure on top choice to have his best chance. 5-GLOBAL EMPIRE has been in poor recent form at Oaklawn while meeting better rivals but, a couple months ago, he was right there against the same competition. A majority of his success came on this track. The return to Hawthorne and the drop in class should get him headed back in the right direction.

2-WOLF HUNTER is making his 37^th start. He has only one win to his credit but that could easily change today. He was 10 lengths back in his most recent race but that was still good enough for second place. Doesn’t seem to have a whole lot of competition. Could earn that elusive second victory. 1-BONIFIED CRAZY makes his first start as a winner. He did finish second in that last start but the winner was DQ’d which gave this runner his maiden victory. Like that he fought hard for the lead throughout. Do think that he’ll go right to the lead again today but this race is considerably longer and stamina could come into play. 4-RUMBLING is another stretching out. This speedy runner has been around two turns only one other time and that race was on grass. He’s another whose ability to get the distance comes into question.

Not in love with 1-URBAN RULER but he does look like the only runner in this speed-filled race that will try to come from a bit off the pace, though he does have speed of his own. 2-BIG D faced tougher in his first two turf races. He raced competitively, on dirt, in his first two starts of the meet. Could kick it up a notch with the return to the weeds. 3-CHI TOWN PRINCE seems like the quickest of these and he’ll be piloted by a rider that does a great job holding front runners together.

4-LATIN CASINO gets the nod. He’s making only his second start of the year after racing only twice in 2025 but should be ready to go. He had only one workout going into his last start. Should be far better prepared to get the distance on this race despite it being a sixteenth farther. 2-UNCAPTURED PULSE, like top choice, tired late in his first start of the year. But he held on well to finish third. The winner of that race came back to win his next start, possibly making this runner’s effort in last even better than it looked on paper. 5-DEVIL’S RED should show some late run. He closed a bit to finish second in last and was still making up ground when they crossed the wire. The longer distance of this race could work in his favor.

I can excuse 5-VERONICAFORTHEWIN’s poor effort in her lone turf race. She was making her debut against maidens in a race carrying a $180k purse. Her races since have been on the main track and she has been displaying far better speed. But she does have a strong turf pedigree. Gotta give her another chance. Trainer Larry Rivelli sends out two in this race. I like 2-STYLISH GIRL’s workouts better but 6-WAR TORN GODDESS will carry Rivelli’s most-often used rider. 4-CULTURE SHOCK drops into claimers for the first time. Her barn does well with runners returning from long layoffs and this one will also be racing with Lasix for the first time.

Big drop, strong workouts, and a weak field should all converge to make 2-LAST MOON tough to beat at a very low price. 7-GRAY MIKE makes his 31^st start as a maiden. However, he does often get close. Wouldn’t be too big of a surprise if he finally graduated. 6-LORD BLOCK finished second the only time he raced near this level. That race took place almost a year ago. Could be the best of the rest.

7-JOE THE TAILOR has been competitive on and off turf and he has done well at the distance. Finished third in his first race of the meet on dirt. He should be primed to improve in this race. 4-HILARIOUS AFFAIR has had only minor turf success in his 16 races on that surface but all of those races were against far tougher rivals. He was claimed by a red-hot barn from last. Guessing he’ll be a major player at a square price. 1-SHAKE UP has been generally competitive in his turf races. Had a win here at this level last year. His recent form at Oaklawn, on dirt, has been terrible but expect him to improve in a big way now that he’s back here.