Handicapper Tips & Picks

6-GLOBAL EMPIRE merits a look as he came out of a tough race on Sunday for this spot instead. He fits well here and figures to get pace to chase. 4-JEFF THE LION should rate close early but doesn't need the lead to win. If he can tuck in just behind Troy Ounce early and wait to move he should be in a perfect spot. 5-DANVILLE has three straight runner-up efforts as he won't be too far back in here. He likes this track and figures to take a good amount of action today.

I'm expecting an honest pace upfront which should help 4-TEA AFTER BALLET. He ran well at this level at a big price last out and picks up the 10 lbs. bug today. Let's see if he can close quickly late. 5-DEORA STORE has run his best here at Hawthorne. He had some trouble early in his last but is worth another look as he should get the right pace setup in here. 2-TRIPLE CHROME won't be too far back early but also doesn't need the lead to win. His race two back puts him right there as he should be able to track the leaders and get the jump on the closers.

So much pace in this race as a pair from the barn of Wesley Ward are entered in here. 9-NO KAY NEVER figures to get a great trip and she makes her first start of the year off a couple of stakes tries last summer. She is working well toward the return and Loveberry picks up the mount. 7-CHROME ATTACK could be overlooked but she has some good turf sprints under her as she will also likely come running late. She worked well off her last start and could be sitting on a big effort. 8-SHE'S WANDAFUL has also run well in some turf tries as she should benefit from the fast pace upfront. She makes her first start of the year and could be a square price.

Hard to put either 4-SEQUAYA or 6-BELLS OF JOY on top as they are a combined 2/65 in the win column on their career but the pace setup should benefit both. 2-STAR OF TOMORROW  has only three lifetime starts as she chased for place last out. She looks to have some tactical speed and may be able to close well in the stretch.

Sometimes the favorite is just where you have to go and that seems to be the case with 2-DRAGONERA. She comes off a couple of turf efforts in Florida this winter and should get a perfect stalking trip in here. 8-PASTA SALAD RHONDA ran a decent race on the turf in New Orleans while facing a tough bunch. She may sit a bit closer early and could also rally into contention in the lane. 3-TAR HEEL GIRL runs for a top turf barn. She broke her maiden on the dirt though but finds things easier here on the grass than what she saw in the Championship meet at Gulfstream.

A really nice effort from 2-RESTORING HOPE last out as we will see if he can repeat that performance today. He should rate just behind what could be a contested pace as he figures to close well in the lane. 1-DEVIL'S RULE doesn't like to win, with only three lifetime victories, but he has a combined 23 2nd and 3rd place races. Look for him to sit back early and close to contend underneath late. 5-D'FEVER was a bit disappointing in his last, especially off the victory two back. Let's see if he rates closer early in here and has something more left in the tank late.

Looks to be a decent amount of pace in this race.  If that's the case, 8-EVEN THE WIND should be able to sit back early and close well in the lane. His race two back was sharp and he has worked well since that start. 9-COOL AND COLLECTED comes in with a pattern of sharp works into this spot. I don't mind the outside draw as he gets Lasix for his debut. With the long run into the first turn, he should be able to find position. 5-ALL CHOKED UP showed speed on the grass last out and held second behind a very sharp winner. He could have company early in here but he may also be quick enough to clear.