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Race 1: 1 – 4 – 3
Another beautiful day starts with a competitive field, headed by the 5-2 ML favorite
#3 Sapphire Nights. While she is competitive in this field, and can certainly win, I am
going to look to the rail with the #1 Heart of Hanisch (7-2). Last time out she was 3-5
and never got a fair shake, which in turn provides a better price in this field where there
is significantly less speed signed on. The pace scenario and a barn change could be
exactly what Heart of Hanisch needs to get back in the winner’s circle.
Race 2: 6 – 3 – 1
Pick4: 1,3,6,7 / 6 / 1,4,6 / 2,5,7,8 – $24
The second race brings the first route of the day, and with it comes another very
favorable pace scenario for a horse already dropping in class competition. The #6 Set
the Pace (2-1) looks to do just that and run wire to wire for a very prominent Midwest
trainer in Scott Becker. The last 5 years for Scott have seen 383 starts in Chicago,
winning one hundred races of those, equating to 26% and pairing it with a positive ROI
of $2.04. Lots of options underneath, but I landed with two horses inside who look to
build off good closing efforts last out, however, might not be enough pace on the win
end in this spot.
Race 3: 6 – 3 – 4
Back to sprinting for the 3rd, and with it comes more speed signed on. This leads my
eye to the horses stalking the pace, which brings me to the #6 Cocktail Cutie (5-2).
Second time off the ship over from California for trainer Steve Manley, who has been
very good in Chicago over the past couple of years winning at nearly 20%. Underneath
in here requires a little digging, but the #3 Fergie Attack and #4 Hop Away Hottie have
numbers that fit but need to go back to last year to find winning ones.
Race 4: 4 – 1 – 6
The fourth brings a decently heavy favorite in a low claimer at 9-5 in the #1 Millard’s
Smile for Eduardo Rodriguez and the familiar colors of Ismael Thoroughbreds. While
the last race was visually impressive for this horse, he is still 1-10 at Hawthorne and I
think with less speed this deep closer might run into trouble, although he can definitely
win. I ended up going with #4 Where’d the Day Go (4-1) for Hugo Rodriguez, one who
looks to sit just behind the pacesetters and get first jump on those coming from behind. Also, running at 5/9 ITM at the track plus keeping the jock that knows him best only helps in this situation.
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.
