Handicapper Tips & Picks

Two turn maidens kick off the day in a race that looks to have some pace. Gave the nod to 2-MONEY AGENT off a good effort in his last. He stalked the pace in that spot and ran on nicely in the lane. A similar trip should put him right there at the wire with these. 3-SOLOMON VANDY runs for the hot Rodriguez barn as he made a wide move in the same race as Money Agent last out. He makes his second start of the meet today and is another that will benefit from the pace ahead of him. 7-SHARPENYOURFAITH is one of those who could show some speed. He was the favorite when facing these in his last but had to steady in that spot before giving way late. Let's see if he hustles to try to clear in here.

Off a good effort in her last, have to think 1-ALDORA will be very tough in here as trainer Wayne Catalano approaches 3,000 training wins on his career. Despite the outside draw, she found good position early in her last and battled to the wire. With the move to the rail, there's the potential for her to clear and never look back. 2-HATTIE BLOOM comes in from New Orleans for this race as she ran very similar races in all three starts. She comes in off a good work over the track and may be able to rate a bit closer to the pace today. 4-FLATHEAD FINALE shortens up as she transitions to Hawthorne today. She has a pair of snappy drills over the track but may need to get away a bit more quickly from the gate.

A really solid field of sprinters here as the pace upfront should be swift, and likely contested. Gave the nod to 4-WENT WEST as he is well spotted and had a style to suit this field. He comes out of a stakes try in his last and should benefit from a fast track return. 3-CORTESE ran a good second while facing similar last out. He settled nicely in that spot before closing well in the lane. If that race were at today's distance he would have been the likely winner. 6-SHACKLEFORD STRONG comes out of the same race as Cortese as he also posted a solid effort. He loves this racetrack and is another that will benefit from the added distance.

Will take a little shot here with 1-RHODIUMS PRIDE as he adds Lasix today and should get a good pace setup in front of him. He ran evenly at this level last out but with four possible horses to contest the lead he could get the perfect trip. 7-CLYDE'S GREEN GO is one I gave a look to the last time he ran and he held his own, chasing a good winner in Good Apple in that spot. He's another that should benefit from the added distance and just needs to avoid getting into the speed duel. 2-JOE THE TAILOR is one that could be a factor as he comes in from Kentucky for this race. He improved with the addition of Lasix last out and ran better from just off the pace in that spot.

Although 2-GUN RUSH is the most likely winner, it's worth looking for a bit of value in here as 3-COUSVINNYSACANUCK comes back at this level. He ran a solid race from an outside draw in his last and should be able to tuck in right behind the leaders in here. If Hot Dame goes with Gun Rush, it may give Cousvinnysacanuck the opportunity to pull off the upset. 2-GUN RUSH really hasn't done anything wrong in his starts at Hawthorne as he has speed to burn and could clear in here. If loose, he may never look back but he's going to be a very short price. 4-GLOBAL EMPIRE figures to stalk the pace once again as he chased in his last and ran on late. He's another that has been good at Hawthorne and could be in an upset spot as well.

This is a fun race for this level as some talented lower level claimers meet up. The late move made by 8-TIME HEIST last out was very solid and somewhat unexpected as he was flying in the final 16th of that start. With the added distance and solid amount of pace ahead of him, it could be the perfect setup today. 7-RISKY BOY has run a pair of good races on the meet and should get a good stalking trip once again. He likes this track and I expect will be a square price. 9-ROBUST was claimed from his last as he won impressively on the front end in that spot. He's at his best when showing speed and may be able to outkick Bourbon Teddy to the lead.

This is a compact, yet very competitive field for the return of the Illinois Derby. A case can be made for most, especially as the two longest prices in the M/L, Raguel and Ravin's Town both possess the ability to show speed and could steal the race. Going to give the nod though to 5-LE GRIS from the barn of Al Stall as he has enough tactical speed to contend the entire way. He was an impressive winner in the slop in New Orleans two back and ran a much better race than the ninth place effort shows in the Rushaway at Turfway last out. He gets Loveberry back aboard who is not only familiar with the horse but with this racetrack as well. There's the potential that he sneaks away at a bit of a price too. 2-WOODCOURT also gets the benefit of an experienced Hawthorne rider as Manny Esquivel returns to ride in here. He held his own in a very tough Rebel at Oaklawn and didn't run poorly in the Jeff Ruby Steaks in his last. A claim for $50,000 last December, I wouldn't be surprised if he were to win here and have a big stakes season ahead of him. 2-PATRIOT SPIRIT is the most stakes-tested runner in this race. After a good win in the Inaugural at Tampa he was a bit disappointing in the Sam F Davis. He came back to run big in the Hutchenson in his last and has the benefit of a solid workout over the track.

An evenly matched bunch closes the day as any in here could honestly win. Went to 3-ALIBI IKE off a solid victory in the slop in his last. He runs for a barn that had a big year last year and is starting to heat up this meet. It appears that there's enough pace to chase in this race as he should be in a great stalking spot. 5-GIMME THE CANDY was a good maiden winner in his last. He cleared quickly in that spot and was never challenged. The second place finisher of that race, Moonlight Road, came back to win his next out as this one looks to try to steal the race once again. 4-T LAW makes his first start of the year off a solid workout pattern coming into here. He will need that pace to chase but has the potential to come flying late. The main question is if he needs a race before stretching out.