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.