Handicapper Tips & Picks

#4 SHE BE SHEEHAN sits as the value in this field and competitive alternative to the projected top two wagering favorites. SHE BE SHEEHAN returns to the route distance and conditional $5k claiming level, conditions of their return on 5/3. That day she had to move into a Slow early pace and given the projection on this race shape with the 40 SpeedRate she should have pace to chase and favorable/ABOVE trip as shown on OptixPLOT.

#2 SHAKREVENGE finds a favorable spot for their local debut, noting the placement here rather than an allowance on 5/10. Their current and overall main track form/figures fit with today’s par. #3 VISIONISTA holds a win under similar conditions on 5/3 though this is a slight step up as there is a N3 2025-26 clause in the conditions and noted in today’s higher race par than the 5/3 event. 

Getting a look at the two barns with two runners:

Trainer B. Cook wheeling back with #2 CIAO TOMMASO has shown progression race-to-race some subtle trouble (though no change after review) behind a solid rival, Gogh on 5/10. They should hold their form here and no issues with the change in surface racing on the TURF for the first time. First time starter, #6 CITIZEN EX brings in a solid work tab and the barn capable with debut runners. The intent could follow with the jockey/trainer combination 16% win and 57% in the money.

S. Childers had an experienced pair where #3 CHIEF CROSS will get their first chance to race over the TURF and based on the visuals should handle and move up on the surface. #4 STORMY ATTACK holds turf experience with their career best speed figure recorded over the turf/course/distance back on 11/2 (and similar for #1 GOOD YEGG in the same common race) while in against open company $15k MCL rivals. 

This is a very competitive race where a case can be made for the majority of the field -perhaps #2 ABBMAR being the “least likely” though projecting to show early speed in this race should impact the race shape and could even assist their stablemate #1 TIME BREAK looking for inside tracking trip and first run. While she has no run as “fast” as some of the others this could be their time and key for this race, price.

In terms of the early pace: #3 FOXY ZORRA has enough tactical speed to contest the pace early and with the other projected speed to their outside with #4 MISS SAIPAN, one who was able to get a tracking trip to win on 5/14, though at this level surface/distance should be forward; and similar for #5 SMOOTH CLARET looking to hold their form on the two week turnaround and from a solid WIDE BOS win on 5/14. 

Another complicated race especially with the two bookend runners #1 ALADANTE and #6 WHATDOYOUTHINKMARK coming off long layoffs in this race and both capable of showing early speed. In the scenario, they duel with each other and both coming in ready to run a top effort, they can compete for the top spot, though still have to withstand the early battle – not only with each other but could includes others in this field like #2 FINDAWAY.

#3 NAGY AND DA BEARS also brings in early speed and looking to pair up wins coming back from the 5/14 common race where live on the day got the job done. The change in complexion and rider could shift intent to stablemate #4 A P BLAZING GREEN one who might not have today’s flat 5f distance as their ideal though capable with the right factors and conditions.

Trip is also key for #5 MONEY AGENT at the shorter sprint distance, though going back to last season and isolating those turf sprints, they recorded consistently competitive races (Grades/Figures) to stack up with today’s par and field. Some intent could follow as Giles, the maiden win rider and in just one of two mounts on the card. 

#6 CLOUDY LASS looked to need the race (PRERACE-) returning from the layoff on 5/3 and less fancied finishing third behind dominant/B+ stablemate winner Fun on the Bayou.  She has worked since and doing back to last season showed progression with racing and not out of the question for that pattern to follow here.

Should also note #2 UNION ROAR from that same 5/3 common race and another improving with racing and as expected from the KEE debut when not asked for their best and appeared pointed to this circuit as an IL-bred.

Lone 4yo #1 SMILING BONITA has had their share of setbacks making this belated third start. While that must be noted, at the same time, that pattern can also suggest a runner who must come out “race ready” and perhaps intent for this spot showing up on the TURF. Similar all around intent could follow stablemate, second time starter #5 STORMING SALLY showing speed on the main track dueling with open length and next out allowance winner, My Angel Marie at PRM on 5/2. and working at Hawthorne before and after that start.

The pair of FTS show up for live connections and should follow the wagering action and paddock visuals for further clues. #3 RISING CREEK should gather support regardless given the connections and for good reason. Their works are steady and jockey trainer combination on this circuit and for today’s conditions hit at 23% win and 46% ITM. J. Loveberry lands here opening up second time starter #8 PLUME for E.T. Baird to take over and noted favorite in that 5/3 common race – showing early speed PRESSED SAVED before losing ground (NO_KEEP) and in hand (NO_PUSH) after.

 #7 DIZZY MISS MIZZY shows up with a steady string of works at TP and trainer C. Davis while not a mainstay on this circuit has a strong 27% win (55% ITM) record at Hawthorne with a positive ROI. Their two FTS on this circuit both off the board, though also should note double digit odds on those runners and both at the route/mile turf distance – overall turf sprint debut record capable with a compact sample. 

#4 LITTLE SASS won second off last season with a similar pattern and X_FLOW upgrade from the layoff start on 5/7. Looking at the Plot they could try and clear and a threat on the front end. In terms of stablemate, #1 ORNERY ANGEL they also bring upside second off under similar conditions on 4/23 with a near excuse given rider TACTIC- and projecting a rider change, that comes into play with A. Bendezu taking over.

Looking at the Plot, #2 WAMPUS KITTEN projects to find the right stalking trip as they look to rebound from a legitimate EX – EXCUSE unprepared in the GATE and broke SLOG chased WIDE with NO_PUSH after. #5 MAMBA OUT with the license to improve on 5/7 and hold value after coming up short with wagering support back on 4/23.

#6 WILDWOOD QUEEN should move forward second off returning to the main track at Hawthorne, however, is still in a higher overall condition comparing where she was competitive in 2025 at the claiming level. Class could also be a  test for #3 LONG TALL WOMAN though to her credit has shown progression in this current form cycle and third off into this race. 

#7 SBAGLIATO holds a massive class edge and overall consistent speed figure on the turf to compete in this spot. The connections have been patient since the March claim at TP entered and scratched with the races coming off the grass on 5/7. Their runstyle should fit today’s race where the lack of E/EP runners noted, though still a higher SpeedRate to allow SBAGLIATO to make their off the pace (Q4 Square) run. They should hold value while in line with rivals #3 EVEN THE WIND and #4 RIVER REDEMPTION.

#6 BIZZEE CHANNEL sits on the opposite end of the Plot in Q1 and could take up that role in this race and given the post to establish position from the outside. BIZZEE CHANNEL raced at shorter odds under similar conditions three weeks ago and impacted with the surface switch and WIDE trip behind the open length pacesetting winner, Sponge Bath and flattered with Vitale (show finisher) coming back to win last Sunday. The race overall has held form and project BIZZEE CHANNEL to here as well, though at likely longer odds given the barn change.

#1 WICKED SUPRISE also wheeling back from the 5/7 common race and returning to the turf, arguably their preferred surface. They should also return to front running ways given their best chance to compete paired with the rail draw.  #2 HILAROUS AFFAIR could contest the pace and drawn just to their outside. Some intent could be in play, despite the less proven distance here as they  were “trip” compromised at this level 11-days ago. Overall they should be competitive right back under similar conditions; and yes, the distance change has some question marks – perhaps the connections feeling similar though with a race ready horse and this is the spot in the book to run if ready. 

3-VISIONISTA could make it two in a row. She was claimed from that race from a field containing many of these rivals. Went from one hot barn into another. Should be on or close to the lead from the start. 4-SHE BE SHEEHAN completes the route-sprint-route cycle. She finished second -to top choice the last time they met but she was making her first start of the year. Could be far better prepared for this race. 2-SHAKREVENGE ships in from Florida. Recent claim hasn’t been in the best of form but she’s probably been facing somewhat stiffer company down there.

It might finally be graduation day for 1-GOOD YEGG. He’s making his 29^th start as a maiden and his 11^th start on turf but his recent form hasn’t been terrible and his most recent turf races, last year, weren’t bad. He’ll be coming late, just can’t be sure it will be on time. 2-CIAO TOMMASO is probably most likely. He never ran on turf but he’s in good form and he has plenty early speed. Might take it all the way. 4-STORMY ATTACK is bred to like turf sprints but he’s had two turf races, only one a sprint, and he never met Illinois breds on the weeds. Switches to a veteran rider. Figures to vie for the lead.

3-FOXY ZORRA takes on better but she is coming off a dominant victory. That win came in her 2026 debut. She tracked the pace early and just drew away from the field after turning for home. The pace of this race seems to set up in a similar manner. Could yield the same results. 4-MISS SAIPAN often alternates good races with mediocre ones but her win last out came in her first start since August and this would be a good time to break that trend. As with top choice, she could be even tougher after getting a recent race under her. 1-TIME BREAK is pretty quick but probably not quick enough to grab the early lead. She ran second all the way around in her first two starts this year. Might be destined for the same kind of trip today.

6-WHATDOYOUTHINKMARK figures to be tough despite making his 2026 debut. He’s still eligible for this race despite winning five times, though most of the victories came at the $12,500 claiming level or less. He’s probably the quickest from the gate. Should be tough to catch. 5-MONEY AGENT might be the only one in the race capable of making a late move. He’s turning back in distance for this. His best chance comes if top choice gets pressured early by many of his rivals. 3-NAGY AND THE BEARS wired the field last time out. But he is facing far speedier rivals this time out. He doesn’t necessarily need the lead but his best efforts, by car, came when he has been on the front end.

This looks like a pretty wide-open race but, somehow, things seldom turn out that way. Going to take a shot with 5-STORMING SALLY. She tired in her career debut on dirt in Iowa but she was shipped back to Hawthorne to try the turf. Her trainer and rider do well as a team, winning about 23% of the time when they are together. Decent turf pedigree should help. 6-CLOUDY LASS has had a couple turf races. She finished second in one of them but showed little in the other. But this will be the first time that she’ll race in a turf sprint. Blinkers come off for this race. Trainer Larry Rivelli has a pair in this race. 8-PLUME was a $525k auction purchase but she tired badly after showing brief early speed. Of course that race was on dirt and she’s bred to love the lawn so the switch could make all the difference. 3-RISING CREEK is a Carolyn Wilson homebred. She’ll be making her debut off decent drills but she will get the rider most often utilized by Rivelli.

6-WILDWOOD QUEEN has gotten pretty good this year. She finished second in last, her turf debut, facing runners like these. But think she’ll always be better on the main track. 4-LITTLE SASS could be the best of the speed. She tired in last but she was making her first start of the year. Should be fitter for this contest. 2-WAMPUS KITTEN dominated similar two races back but she ran into the gate in last, eliminating all chance. She loves the front end but is highly capable when coming from out of it. Beaten favorite can make amends. 5-MAMBA OUT was the recipient of a perfect trip in last and won at a square price. She faces many of the same rivals in this spot but will probably have to boost her game a notch to have a chance at a repeat score.

1-WICKED SUPRISE’S last race was awful but all his recent dirt races have been awful. It’s been a different story on turf. He might be the only real speed in the race. If last race was just a fluke and he regains the form that he showed winning his final two races of 2025, he might not get caught. Not sure what the 10-year-old 6-BIZZEE CHANNEL has left but this frequent claim (four of his five races this year) showed little on dirt, as the favorite, in his first local start of the year. But he has earned nearly $550k on the lawn. Definitely deserves attention with the move back to the weeds. 3-EVEN THE WIND will be running late. The pace won’t necessarily set up for him but that often doesn’t matter on grass. 5-MAN ON ATTACK is often in the hunt at this distance but he’s racing for the first time since January and might need a race.