Handicapper Tips & Picks

Race 5: 8 - 5 - 7

Pick4: 2,5,7,8 / 1,4,6,7,8 / 2,5,6,7 / 5 - $40

My top pick, the #8 Taperinea (7-2) has been on turf for a while now and is coming off a

decent layoff for trainer Antonio Meraz. And although she has run her best on turf, she

broke her maiden on dirt and has decent efforts. She should have the front end all to

herself in a field where not too many horses like to pass others. However, the #5 Dialed

Inna looks to be one of the few that can sit just off and pounce late, so I think she is live

underneath at least if not for the win.

Race 6: 6 - 8 - 4

The sixth is the most interesting race on the card in my opinion, with many likely

winners. With that in mind, I landed on the #6 Camp Daddy (4-1) for Armando

Hernandez and the red-hot Julio Felix. The last race at the allowance level certainly was

an eye-catching performance winning by seven lengths, but for me it was even more

impressive as I am not sure it is what he is best at. He went straight to the front and

never looked back; however, I do not think he is a “need the lead” type by any means.

The shipper looks for two straight at Hawthorne after running at Churchill, Keeneland,

Oaklawn and Fairgrounds throughout the fall and winter. As for underneath, the yearly

Chicago staple #8 Readthecliffnotes and the other invader #4 Ardanwood for hometown

connections in Hugh Robertson definitely have the numbers to win but will need to work

out a favorable trip.

Race 7: 7 - 2 - 5

For the penultimate race on the card, there looks to be another horse that looks to have

a very favorable pace scenario. That horse is my top pick, the #7 Hurts So Bad (6-1)

for Antonio Meraz. On top of the pace scenario, 6-1 is a very fair price on a horse with

competitive back numbers and a decent record at Hawthorne. Going to take a shot with

this one, however the #2 Maqamat and the #5 Jrue Breeze make a ton of sense as well

if the pace scenario does not materialize for #7 Hurts So Bad.

Race 8: 5 - 9 - 4

For the final race this Sunday, we end with a competitive $6,250 maiden claimer with

eleven carded horses. With that said, however, there is a pretty big favorite coming over

from Turfway Park with very competitive numbers in this field. I am going to end the day

with this horse, the #5 Secession (7-5) for a trainer in Jimmy Watkins who has started

the meet with some runners winning at 27%. This horse looks very versatile on paper,

and in a race where there are a lot of horses that do not like to pass, this might be the

one to sit a good trip and pick up the pieces late. The #9 Sendemdowntheroad for Larry

Rivelli needs to be taken into consideration as many of Rivelli’s horses need to be on

the Illinois circuit. A decent working line, Rivelli winning at 26% with firsters on the

Chicago circuit in the last five years and 40% overall so far at Hawthorne this meet is

enough for me to throw him in second.