Handicapper Tips & Picks

OFF TURF TODAY

Not sure about scratches but will try to figure out who will stay in

Race 1-Moved to one mile 70 yards main track

Considerable rain expected but will it be enough to move the turf races to the main track? Just in case going to go with 6-DYNAMIS. He narrowly lost to the very tough Coach Jimi D in his first start of the meet. He was entered for the main track only and if this race does get moved, he’ll be facing mostly career turf runners. On turf I would expect 3-BIZZEE CHANNEL to hold the edge. This 10-year-old has been claimed from five of his last six races; three different times by connections with this trainer. He has earned over $550k on turf in his career. The well-traveled 4-DEVIL'S HARVEST makes his local debut. He loves the front end and figures to get the lead quickly but he has been running out of gas. However, this will be one of the easiest fields he has ever faced. 5-MOOGIE SON, stablemate of Bizzee Channel, takes on a bit better after just scoring his first Hawthorne victory. 

6-LITTLE STEVEN could be poised to surprise. Throw out his turf race in last and see that he had been splitting tough fields at Oaklawn. His versatility allows him to race competitively on or off the lead. 5-CODE RUNNER is almost always competitive. He finished in the money in 12 of his last 18 races, winning four times. However, he does his best running late and not sure there will be enough pace to set up for him. 3-EUCLID AVENUE might be in too tough but he sure does love Hawthorne. He’s had 18 races here and won seven of them, including last two, while finishing in the money another six times.

Five furlongs main track

4-ENGAGEMENT Recent local form has been good. They’ll have to catch her. 2-MACHA LITE didn’t race until late December 2025 in her 6^th year and makes her 2026 debut today as a 7-year-old but her recent drills have been impressive. Could be the best of these. 1-TIZSWIFTYSMUSIC finished far back in both her races but both were against maiden specials. Figures with the class drop.

2-RED MOSCATO reeled off two straight victories. Both were accomplished in near wire-to-wire efforts. He beat all but one of these rivals in at least one of those scores. There’s a good chance he’ll lead all the way again. 5-CIAO TOMMASO just crushed an Illinois-bred maiden special field on the lawn but he also finished second in his prior two starts on the main track. He doesn’t appear to be quite as quick as top choice, though he does often display good early speed. Turf to dirt is often a good handicapping tool. Wouldn’t ignore. 4-VERRAZANOINTHESKY just finished second at 44-1 but he is a runner that has always been at his best on this racetrack. He can finish fast. Could rush by them all.

One mile 70 yards main track

11-VITALE likely meets others with speed but he just wired the field in a similar race that was taken off the lawn. Can do it again. 8-SBAGLIATO has never shown much in limited main track races but he is dropping to a new career low and his pedigree screams for an off track, and he could get his wish if the weatherman is correct. 10-LAMPLIGHTER JACK is another dropping to a new low. He has the speed to challenge for the lead and his good recent form would suggest that he’s going to be a forward factor from start to finish.

4-LOST SUNSET has been training well in preparation for her 2026 debut. Toss out her turf debut in her last race of 2025 and you see a consistent mare who won her last two main track starts. Don’t know what to do with 6-TIZ CHINA. She wired the field in last, facing much better, and got claimed, but that claim was voided for whatever reason. Now she’s dropping to the basement. She should win by daylight but…. Another claim seems likely but will it be voided again? Hard to bet on or against her. 1-MISS SAIPAN isn’t really a closer but she does seem like the one most likely to close in this speed-filled field.

One mile 70 yards main track

5-ATHENIX like most in here, possesses good early speed but it was the closing move she displayed in her last two starts that makes her the pick in this speed-filled field. 2-ZEE could be the best of the speed and the stretch in distance might even enhance that speed. Gets Lasix for the second time while trying to navigate two turns for the first time. Might lead all the way. 6-LA REYNITA has been a consistent pace factor but she does tend to tire late in her races. She’ll have to step it up a notch to be close at the finish.