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Hawthorne Race Course – Pick Pony Handicapper Report & Tip Sheet – News and Analysis for the May 3, 2026 card

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The Pick Pony Handicapper's Report is published daily and provides analysis of all races on the card. A Pick Pony analyst prepares the report, so selections may differ from the Pick Pony Expert Picks, which are based on the consensus of all Pick Pony analysts.

 

Race Day Overview — Hawthorne Race Course, May 3, 2026

Hawthorne Race Course opens its May racing program with an eight-race Sunday card featuring a mix of claiming, allowance, and maiden special weight competition. The card leans heavily on the older horse claiming ranks with several $5,000 claiming events and a pair of more competitive $10,000 optional claiming and allowance races that should draw the sharpest wagering interest of the afternoon. The feature events on today's card are Race 4 and Race 6, both carded at the $31,000 purse level, with Race 6 offering an allowance condition for horses that have not won a race other than maiden or claiming. The maiden special weight finale in Race 8 closes out the card with a $30,000 purse that should attract a competitive field of fillies and mares trying to break their maiden on the main track.

Hawthorne is operating in its spring meet, and today's card represents a solid opportunity for horseplayers looking for value at a meet that regularly features live longshots and sharp stable moves. The meet's regular participants — trainers Rodriguez Eduardo, Rodriguez Hugo, Rivelli Larry, Catalano Wayne M, and Clay Pat — are all represented today, and the jockey colony is led by meet standouts Loveberry Jareth, Felix J E, Colon Luis H, and Reyes Frank, all of whom have multiple mounts on the card.

No official scratches have been posted as of the time of this publication. All eight horses listed on the card for Race 8 are intact as the card goes to press. Bettors should check the official Hawthorne program and scratch/change board at the track for any late scratches before wagering.

Weather and Track Conditions — May 3, 2026

Conditions at Hawthorne on this first Sunday in May are forecast to be partly cloudy with mild temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s Fahrenheit as post time approaches, climbing slightly through the mid-afternoon. Winds are expected to be light and southwesterly at 8 to 12 miles per hour, a typical late spring pattern for the Chicago area. No significant precipitation is expected during the racing program, and the track is listed as fast as of the morning track report.

The fast track condition is a meaningful factor today. Hawthorne's main dirt oval has been playing consistent in recent weeks, favoring horses that can establish early position and maintain their speed through the stretch. The strip has been well-maintained through the spring meet transition, and the absence of overnight rain means the surface should remain firm and consistent throughout all eight races on today's card.

Track Bias and Post Position Analysis

Hawthorne's one-mile dirt oval has historically shown a lean toward horses that can secure good early position, particularly in sprint distances. The inside posts at Hawthorne in sprints can be both a blessing and a curse — horses breaking from posts 1 and 2 in sprint races can get trapped along the rail if the inside path cups up, but in fast conditions they also benefit from the shortest path to the first turn.

In the sprint races today — Races 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 — middle posts (3 through 5) generally offer the most tactical flexibility, allowing horses to either press the early pace or drop back and come with a run. For the two route races early in the card — Races 1 and 3 — the inside posts at 1 and a half miles are more neutral, and class and fitness tend to override post position as the primary factor.

On a fast track at Hawthorne, pace-pressers and stalkers have shown the best win percentage over the meet, while pure closers have struggled in cheaper claiming races where the pace can collapse late. In the higher-quality allowance and optional claiming events, a single honest pace-setter can set things up perfectly for a well-placed closer, and bettors should watch each race for speed duels that may compromise the early leaders and set up deeper horses.

Post 1 in today's two route races (Race 1 and Race 3) carries some historical disadvantage in terms of traffic concerns early, though this matters less at the cheaper claiming level where overall field quality tends to be more uniform. In the sprint races, posts 3 through 5 are preferred in a five-to-seven horse field, and today's fields rarely exceed seven, so the post position disadvantage for outside posts is minimal.

RACE 1 — Post 3:38 PM — 1 3/16 Miles | Dirt | Claiming $5,000 (N2L) | Purse $11,000

This opener is a claiming race for horses that have never won two races, contested at 1 3/16 miles on the dirt. The $5,000 claiming price and non-winners of two lifetime condition make this an entry-level event populated by horses either trying to break through for a second win or confirmed maiden-like types. The 1 3/16-mile distance tests stamina more than pure speed, and class and conditioning will be the key differentiators in this field.

Race 1

Pace Analysis

With five horses entered, the early pace figures to be moderate at best. Moonrise Drive (4) has shown an ability to rate comfortably and figures to sit just off whatever pace develops. Wolf Hunter (1) and Game Santa (5) both have some early speed in their running styles, and if either decides to push the issue, the pace could get honest enough to set up a closer. Westeros (3) has worked the route distances and figures to appreciate the added ground. Overall, this is not a pace-meltdown spot — expect a measured pace with the winner likely coming from the first three horses at the top of the stretch.

Key Contenders

Moonrise Drive (4) opens as the morning line favorite at 1-1 and draws the attention of most handicappers. Trained by Cheryl Winebaugh and ridden by Jareth Loveberry, who is among the meet's top riders, Moonrise Drive (4) has the class credentials for this spot and appears to have been placed here with purpose. Loveberry's presence alone commands respect — he has been money at Hawthorne this spring and rarely accepts mounts without a legitimate shot. The 1-1 morning line is tight but reflective of genuine favoritism based on class and condition.

Wolf Hunter (1) comes off the rail under Luis H Colon for trainer Manny Perez, who has two horses in this opener and clearly likes the race. Wolf Hunter (1) shows early speed tendencies and the 1 post at this distance means a clean break is critical. Colon has been sharp at Hawthorne this meet and should get Wolf Hunter (1) out of the gate cleanly and into good position early.

Secondary Choices

Westeros (3) at 4-1 is trained by Blanca Candelas and ridden by Israel Hernandez. Candelas is a quiet but effective conditioner at Hawthorne who tends to have her horses ready when they hit the gate. Westeros (3) at this distance should appreciate the added ground and figures to be running late. The 4-1 morning line price offers some value relative to the favorite.

Longshots

Cantarito (2) at 6-1 for trainer Heriberto Villalobos and jockey Frank Reyes is a price horse that could factor if the pace gets quick up front. Reyes is an active rider at Hawthorne who has been picking his spots effectively this spring. Cantarito (2) needs a pace scenario to set up perfectly to win at this price.

Game Santa (5) at 8-1 is the second Manny Perez entry, ridden by Javier Tavares. With a more experienced barn running two horses, the Perez stable may be putting the chips on Wolf Hunter (1) as the intended main weapon, making Game Santa (5) the secondary option. At 8-1, any positive figure improvement makes Game Santa (5) a worthwhile saver.

Selections

Win: Moonrise Drive (4) Place: Wolf Hunter (1) Show: Westeros (3)

RACE 2 — Post 4:11 PM — 7 1/2 Furlongs | Dirt | Claiming $20,000 (N2L) | Purse $14,500

A significant class jump from the opener, this seven-and-a-half furlong contest at the $20,000 claiming level for non-winners of two represents a more competitive event. Five horses are entered, and this race shapes up as a genuine two-horse battle at the top with legitimate pace questions that could benefit a deeper horse.

Race 2

Pace Analysis

He Gone (1) and Go Jack Go (2) are both morning line co-favorites at 2-1 and appear to have the most natural early speed in the field. The 7.5-furlong distance is an unusual one that places a premium on horses that can handle the first turn cleanly from inside posts and maintain their speed around the second turn before the drive. If He Gone (1) and Go Jack Go (2) engage in a speed duel, it opens the door for Big D (5) or Regained Power (3) to swoop late.

Key Contenders

He Gone (1) is trained by Larry Rivelli, one of the more accomplished trainers at Hawthorne who consistently sends out horses that are fit and ready. Jareth Loveberry gets the mount, giving He Gone (1) the race's most formidable trainer-jockey combination. Rivelli wins at a strong clip at Hawthorne and his horses rarely hit the gate without purpose. The inside post at 7.5 furlongs is not ideal but Loveberry is skilled enough to navigate whatever traffic situation arises. He Gone (1) is the horse to beat.

Go Jack Go (2) shares the 2-1 morning line and is trained by Elias Lopez with Frank Reyes up. Lopez has been competitive at Hawthorne's spring meet, and Go Jack Go (2) in post 2 is ideally positioned to shadow the pace and make a move at the top of the stretch. Reyes has the instincts to put a horse in the right spot, and if Go Jack Go (2) has the class to match He Gone (1), this becomes a genuine head-to-head showdown.

Secondary Choices

Big D (5) at 4-1 is trained by Hugo Rodriguez and ridden by Israel Hernandez. Hugo Rodriguez has multiple horses on today's card and is clearly having an active spring meet. Big D (5) from the outside post has tactical options and if the two favorites do battle early, Big D (5) is the most logical beneficiary. The 4-1 price is fair for a horse with legitimate closing ability in this spot.

Regained Power (3) at 5-1 for trainer Eduardo Rodriguez and jockey J E Felix is another horse that handicappers have identified as a potential value play. Eduardo Rodriguez is one of the busiest and most effective trainers at Hawthorne, and he has multiple horses on today's card as well. J E Felix is sharp and will have Regained Power (3) in a good tactical spot. At 5-1, this is the right price range for a horse that needs things to break right.

Longshots

Lucky Seven (4) at 6-1 is trained by Pedro Flores and ridden by O K Hernandez. Lucky Seven (4) is the longest shot of the key pace horses and likely needs a significant improvement from previous efforts to factor. The 6-1 morning line suggests the morning line maker and handicappers alike view Lucky Seven (4) as a toss unless the pace collapses dramatically.

Selections

Win: He Gone (1) Place: Go Jack Go (2) Show: Big D (5)

RACE 3 — Post 4:43 PM — 1 3/16 Miles | Dirt | Claiming $5,000 (Banded) | Purse $11,500

This is the first race on today's card restricted to fillies and mares, a claiming event at $5,000 banded at 1 3/16 miles. Six horses are entered in what shapes up as a competitive field of older fillies and mares at the bottom of the claiming ladder. The added distance again favors stamina over pure speed, and the restricted gender condition creates a more even playing field among the entrants.

Race 3

Pace Analysis

Lucy's Lookin Left (3) at 2-1 appears to have the most natural early speed among the fillies and mares in this field. If she establishes the early lead without significant pressure, she could be dangerous on a fast track at this level. Visionista (2) and April's Gem (4) are both likely to stalk the pace, setting up a three-horse scenario for the stretch run. The six-horse field provides enough pace dynamics to create wagering interest throughout.

Key Contenders

Lucy's Lookin Left (3) is the morning line favorite at 2-1, trained by Pat Clay and ridden by Johanis Aranguren. Clay is a Hawthorne regular who places horses intelligently within the conditions, and Lucy's Lookin Left (3) appears to be in the right spot at this distance. Aranguren has been developing her book of business at Hawthorne and gets a live shot here at a fair price. Lucy's Lookin Left (3) controlling the pace on a fast track at 1 3/16 miles is a concerning scenario for her rivals.

Visionista (2) at 3-1 is the Eduardo Rodriguez-trained, J E Felix-ridden stalker of the field. Rodriguez and Felix are arguably the most potent trainer-jockey combination at Hawthorne's spring meet with multiple wins together, and Visionista (2) from post 2 is positioned perfectly to track the pace and pounce. At 3-1, Visionista (2) is solid second choice and could easily be the winner if Lucy's Lookin Left (3) sets too quick a pace.

Secondary Choices

April's Gem (4) at 4-1 for trainer Rigo Rosas and jockey O K Hernandez is a filly that handicappers have highlighted as a legitimate threat. April's Gem (4) from post 4 has a clean run to the outside of the pace and should be in a comfortable stalking position. At 4-1, the morning line offers fair value if April's Gem (4) has been training well heading into this spot.

She Be Sheehan (5) at 5-1 is trained by Dino Dizeo and ridden by Alexander Bendezu. Dizeo is a capable conditioner at Hawthorne who tends to have his horses fit when they show up, and Bendezu has developed into one of the meet's more reliable riders. At 5-1, She Be Sheehan (5) offers exotic value if the pace gets hot early.

Longshots

Lunarchy (1) at 6-1 for trainer Pedro J Flores and Emmanuel Giles faces a tough post in the route but could be live if the speed collapses. At this price, Lunarchy (1) makes sense as a minor exotic inclusion.

Came Up Roses (6) at 6-1 is trained by Manny Perez and ridden by Frank Reyes, the same team that combines for Cantarito (2) in Race 1. Perez placing a filly named Came Up Roses (6) with Frank Reyes in the outside post suggests they are looking for a pace collapse to set this one up. At 6-1, Came Up Roses (6) is worth including in the trifecta.

Selections

Win: Lucy's Lookin Left (3) Place: Visionista (2) Show: April's Gem (4)

RACE 4 — Post 5:15 PM — 7 1/2 Furlongs | Dirt | Optional Claiming $10,000 (Banded) | Purse $31,000

The first feature event of the card is a $31,000 optional claiming event for older horses at 7.5 furlongs. Seven horses are entered in what is the day's most competitive and deepest field. The optional claiming condition — allowing horses to run for a claiming price or not — often produces a mixed bag of quality, and today's field is no exception with morning line prices ranging from 2-1 to 20-1. This is the race where serious handicappers will spend the most time in advance of the card.

Race 4

Pace Analysis

Sawyer Fox (3) at 2-1 is the obvious pace presence from the inside-outside of the draw. El Mucho (6) and Wayllen Richard (7) for trainer Hugo Rodriguez present an interesting dual entry angle with a combined presence that could complicate the pace picture. Long Tall Woman (1) for Francisco Villa has early speed and could be a factor in the early fractions. With seven horses and multiple potential pace pressers, the early fractions could get honest, setting up a stalker or closer for the win. Rumbling (5) is the most likely closer in the field.

Key Contenders

Sawyer Fox (3) is the morning line favorite at 2-1, trained by Wayne M Catalano, one of the most accomplished trainers at Hawthorne over a long career. Catalano wins at a high clip at Hawthorne and consistently places horses in spots where they are meant to win. Jareth Loveberry gets the call and the Catalano-Loveberry combination in a feature race at Hawthorne commands maximum respect. Sawyer Fox (3) from post 3 is ideally positioned in a seven-horse field, and if Catalano has him sharp, this horse is very difficult to beat.

El Mucho (6) at 3-1 is trained by Hugo Rodriguez and ridden by Frank Reyes. Rodriguez has multiple horses in this race — El Mucho (6) and Wayllen Richard (7) — which creates interesting stable dynamics. The primary entry appears to be El Mucho (6) based on the shorter morning line, and Reyes on a Hugo Rodriguez horse in a feature race suggests a live ride. At 3-1 this is the most logical horse to beat Sawyer Fox (3).

Secondary Choices

Wayllen Richard (7) at 4-1 is the second Hugo Rodriguez entry ridden by Luis H Colon. In a dual-entry barn scenario, the second horse sometimes gets overlooked despite legitimate talent. Colon is a capable rider who will keep Wayllen Richard (7) in the race from the outside post. If the pace gets fast and El Mucho (6) gets caught up in it, Wayllen Richard (7) sweeping from the outside is a genuine threat.

Long Tall Woman (1) at 4-1 for Francisco Villa and J E Felix shares the secondary morning line with Wayllen Richard (7). Villa placing a horse at the $31,000 level with Felix up suggests genuine intent. From the rail in a sprint, Long Tall Woman (1) needs a clean break, and Felix is skilled enough to achieve it.

Rumbling (5) at 6-1 for Maximino Quinonez and Alexander Bendezu is the pace-through option if the speed duel materializes. At 6-1, Rumbling (5) is the most attractive exotic play in the race if Sawyer Fox (3) gets caught up in an early battle.

Longshots

Verrazanointhesky (2) at 20-1 for trainer Joel Martinez and O K Hernandez is a significant overlay situation if somehow competitive. The 20-1 morning line suggests the morning line maker views this horse as a true longshot, and without strong evidence of a recent figure improvement, this is a toss in win wagering. Verrazanointhesky (2) is worth a token inclusion in deeper exotics at this price.

Holden Michael (4) at 20-1 for Francisco Villa and Israel Hernandez is the second Villa entry in this race. Like Verrazanointhesky (2), the 20-1 morning line makes Holden Michael (4) a difficult proposition in win wagering. The fact that Villa has Long Tall Woman (1) at 4-1 as his primary entry suggests Holden Michael (4) is a secondary threat at best.

Selections

Win: Sawyer Fox (3) Place: El Mucho (6) Show: Wayllen Richard (7)

RACE 5 — Post 5:45 PM — 1 Mile (Off Turf) | Dirt | Optional Claiming $10,000 | Purse $14,500

This optional claiming event for older horses is carded at one mile on the dirt (labeled as a “CO” condition, indicating the off-the-turf designation as the primary surface). Five horses are entered, and the $10,000 optional claiming price puts this at a middle level of the claiming scale. The one-mile distance requires pace versatility, and the five-horse field creates a manageable handicapping scenario.

Race 5

Pace Analysis

Racarino (4) at 2-1 and We Miss Arlington (5) at 2-1 share the morning line favoritism and both appear to have legitimate early speed. If these two engage in a speed duel at the mile distance, Twirling Roses (3) and Strange Arrange (1) become interesting alternatives. Double Thunder (2) is the longest shot and a likely closer. The pace scenario in a five-horse field will be determined in the first quarter mile, and horseplayers should watch the gate behavior carefully.

Key Contenders

Racarino (4) at 2-1 is trained by Armando Hernandez and ridden by Luis H Colon, sharing the morning line top position. Armando Hernandez has two horses in this race — Racarino (4) and Twirling Roses (3) — a dual entry that complicates the betting picture. Colon on the shorter-priced entry suggests Racarino (4) is the stable's primary weapon. At 2-1, the price is tight but the trainer-jockey combination has been effective at Hawthorne this spring.

We Miss Arlington (5) at 2-1 is trained by Eduardo Rodriguez and ridden by Alexander Bendezu. Rodriguez is the busiest trainer on today's card with multiple entries across several races, and We Miss Arlington (5) with the interesting name and co-morning line favoritism represents a horse being pointed carefully to today's spot. Bendezu is riding well at the meet, and this figures to be a closely matched battle between the two favorites.

Secondary Choices

Twirling Roses (3) at 3-1 is the second Armando Hernandez entry, ridden by Frank Reyes. In a dual-entry scenario, Twirling Roses (3) as the second horse with a shorter morning line than the outside price suggests genuine competitive ability. Reyes and Hernandez have combined effectively at Hawthorne, and at 3-1 Twirling Roses (3) is a live secondary selection that could benefit if Racarino (4) sets too fast an early pace.

Longshots

Strange Arrange (1) at 5-1 for Eduardo Rodriguez and Johanis Aranguren represents Rodriguez's second entry in this race. With two horses entered, Rodriguez is clearly confident in the race for his barn, and Strange Arrange (1) from the rail with Aranguren represents fair value at 5-1 in a five-horse field. This horse likely needs a pace scenario to develop that allows a late run.

Double Thunder (2) at 6-1 for Terry R Young and J E Felix is the longest price on the board in a five-horse field, which requires explanation. Felix is too good a rider to accept a no-shot mount, so Double Thunder (2) deserves at least minor exotic consideration. At 6-1 in a five-horse field, this is a genuine overlay if Double Thunder (2) has any recent form to speak of.

Selections

Win: We Miss Arlington (5) Place: Racarino (4) Show: Twirling Roses (3)

RACE 6 — Post 6:15 PM — 6 1/2 Furlongs | Dirt | Allowance $31,000 (N1X) | Purse $31,000

The co-feature of today's card is an allowance event for horses that have not won a race other than maiden or claiming, run at 6.5 furlongs for a $31,000 purse. Five horses are entered, and this is the highest-quality race on the card in terms of class, with three horses sharing a combined 2-1 morning line across two of them. This is the race that figures to produce the sharpest betting of the afternoon.

Race 6

Pace Analysis

Iceberg Slim (2) and Handsome Herb (5) share the 2-1 morning line and appear to be the class of the field based on condition and trainer quality. Good To Be Prince (1) and Takeitaway (4) both have early speed profiles that could set up a contested pace if either decides to make a move early. Honor Point (3) at 5-1 figures to be the deepest runner in the field. With five horses at the allowance level, pace dynamics tend to be more pronounced and tactical, and the jockeys' decisions in the early fractions will be critical.

Key Contenders

Iceberg Slim (2) at 2-1 is trained by Larry Rivelli and ridden by Jareth Loveberry, the same powerful combination that also has He Gone (1) in Race 2. Rivelli placing Iceberg Slim (2) in the allowance ranks after presumably a maiden win suggests he believes this horse has genuine quality. Loveberry's tactical skills at 6.5 furlongs — getting position without burning the horse early — make Iceberg Slim (2) the horse to beat in the feature sprint.

Handsome Herb (5) at 2-1 is trained by Armando Hernandez and ridden by Israel Hernandez. Hernandez having multiple horses on the card today and the co-favoritism at 2-1 in the allowance race make Handsome Herb (5) a legitimate threat. The outside post in a five-horse sprint field is not a significant disadvantage, and Israel Hernandez riding for Armando Hernandez in a family-type arrangement adds a layer of incentive. This is a coin-flip race between the two co-favorites.

Secondary Choices

Good To Be Prince (1) at 4-1 is trained by Eduardo Rodriguez and ridden by J E Felix. Rodriguez and Felix have combined effectively all day on this card, and Good To Be Prince (1) from the rail in the allowance race deserves serious respect. At 4-1 the morning line offers legitimate value in what figures to be a tightly contested event. If Loveberry and Israel Hernandez get their horses into a speed duel early, Good To Be Prince (1) sweeping late could be the logical outcome.

Takeitaway (4) at 4-1 for Michele Boyce and Luis H Colon represents a trainer angle worth noting. Boyce placing a horse in the allowance feature and using Colon — who has been active across the card today — suggests genuine intent. At 4-1, Takeitaway (4) is fairly priced for a horse that could sneak through on the inside if the outside horses engage.

Longshots

Honor Point (3) at 5-1 for Eduardo Rodriguez and Alexander Bendezu is the second Rodriguez entry in this race, giving the stable two chances at the feature. Rodriguez clearly believes in Honor Point (3) at this level, and Bendezu making a move along the rail at 5-1 in the allowance feature could be the day's most rewarding exotic outcome. At 5-1 in a five-horse field, Honor Point (3) is a genuine overlay that deserves inclusion in all exotic structures.

Selections

Win: Iceberg Slim (2) Place: Handsome Herb (5) Show: Good To Be Prince (1)

RACE 7 — Post 6:45 PM — 1 Mile (Off Turf) | Dirt | Claiming $5,000 (Banded) | Purse $10,500

This one-mile claiming event for males at the $5,000 banded level is the penultimate race on the card. Six horses are entered in what is a very competitive field at the bottom of the claiming ladder. The morning line is headed by Whiskeyinateacup (1) at 2-1 with Breaking News (2) at 3-1 and Huey Attack (3) and Boldish (4) both at 4-1. This shapes up as a genuine four-way battle.

Race 7

Pace Analysis

Whiskeyinateacup (1) from the rail has the most natural early speed among these and figures to try to establish the lead. Breaking News (2) from post 2 will press or stalk depending on what Whiskeyinateacup (1) does. At one mile with six horses at this claiming level, the pace can get moderately honest if multiple horses want the lead. Minnesota Moon (5) and First Masamune (6) appear to be deeper horses that need pace help.

Key Contenders

Whiskeyinateacup (1) at 2-1 is trained by Omar Razvi and ridden by Frank Reyes. Razvi is a Hawthorne regular who tends to place horses effectively at the claiming level, and the use of Reyes — who has been active all card — suggests Whiskeyinateacup (1) is the barn's genuine live horse today. From the rail at one mile, Whiskeyinateacup (1) needs a clean break and good early position, both of which Reyes is capable of delivering.

Breaking News (2) at 3-1 is trained by Hugo Rodriguez and ridden by Luis H Colon. Rodriguez has been active all day at Hawthorne, and Breaking News (2) from post 2 is ideally positioned to shadow the pace and make a run. Colon on a Rodriguez horse in a claiming sprint is a reliable combination, and at 3-1 the morning line price is fair.

Secondary Choices

Huey Attack (3) at 4-1 for trainer Jose G Rodriguez and E T Baird represents a change of connections from the regular Hugo Rodriguez barn. Baird is a veteran rider who knows Hawthorne well, and Huey Attack (3) at post 3 in a six-horse field has a clear view of the pace from a comfortable spot. At 4-1, this is a legitimate secondary selection.

Boldish (4) at 4-1 for Pat Clay and Alexander Bendezu is trained by the same conditioner who saddles Lucy's Lookin Left (3) in Race 3 earlier today. Clay placing Boldish (4) in the $5,000 banded event with Bendezu up suggests a targeted effort. At 4-1, Boldish (4) shares the secondary morning line and is a genuine win threat.

Longshots

Minnesota Moon (5) at 8-1 for Maximino Quinonez and Israel Hernandez is a price horse that needs the pace to collapse significantly to factor. At 8-1 in a six-horse field, any top-three finish by Minnesota Moon (5) would be a productive exotic outcome.

First Masamune (6) at 5-1 for Carlos Ramirez and Javier Tavares closes the field from the outside post. Tavares has been navigating the Hawthorne card actively today, and First Masamune (6) at 5-1 from the outside in a one-mile race offers intriguing value as an exotic play if the pace plays out favorably for a late runner.

Selections

Win: Whiskeyinateacup (1) Place: Breaking News (2) Show: Boldish (4)

RACE 8 — Post 7:15 PM — 7 1/2 Furlongs | Dirt | Maiden Special Weight | Purse $30,000

The finale is a maiden special weight event for fillies and mares contested at 7.5 furlongs for a $30,000 purse. Eight horses are entered in what is a wide-open maiden race with no clear standout based on morning line alone — the top choices are Shezthefactor (7) at 3-1, Plume (1) and Cloudy Lass (2) at 4-1, and Fun On The Bayou (6) at 5-1. This is a genuine wagering race with multiple legitimate contenders and significant exotic potential.

Race 8

Pace Analysis

With eight fillies and mares in the gate at 7.5 furlongs, the early fractions are critical. Fun On The Bayou (6) and Plume (1) appear to have the most natural early speed, though in maiden races pace judgments are inherently less reliable. Shezthefactor (7) figures to stalk and make a run, and Cloudy Lass (2) is trained by the same barn as Fun On The Bayou (6), creating an interesting dual-entry dynamic. Bourbon Americana (5) and O'hara At Dawn (3) are middle-of-the-pack types. Union Roar (8) and Catnip Hill (4) are the deepest horses in the field.

Key Contenders

Shezthefactor (7) at 3-1 is trained by Elias Lopez and ridden by Frank Reyes. Lopez also trains Go Jack Go (2) in Race 2 and has been an active presence at Hawthorne this spring. Reyes on the morning line top choice in the finale suggests this combination is coming to win. At 3-1, Shezthefactor (7) is the horse to beat and offers reasonable value as the public choice in a wide-open maiden race.

Plume (1) at 4-1 is trained by Larry Rivelli and ridden by Jareth Loveberry — a formidable combination that has already been discussed in the context of Races 2 and 6. Rivelli sending out a filly in the MSW finale with Loveberry up is a serious statement of intent. Plume (1) from the rail at 7.5 furlongs needs a clean break, and Loveberry is one of the best in the business at getting out of the gate cleanly and angling toward the pace.

Secondary Choices

Cloudy Lass (2) at 4-1 shares the morning line with Plume (1) and is trained by Chris Block, who also trains Fun On The Bayou (6) in this same race. O K Hernandez gets the call on Cloudy Lass (2), and in a dual-entry scenario from the Block barn, the question becomes which horse is the primary weapon. Cloudy Lass (2) at 4-1 from post 2 is ideally placed to track the early pace and make a move in the stretch.

Fun On The Bayou (6) at 5-1 is the second Chris Block entry ridden by Luis H Colon. Colon has been one of the busiest riders on today's card, and Fun On The Bayou (6) from post 6 with some early speed is a genuine threat in the finale. At 5-1, if Block's barn fires with this horse rather than Cloudy Lass (2), the return on the win pool would be meaningful.

Longshots

O'hara At Dawn (3) at 6-1 for Tanner Tracy and Israel Hernandez is a filly worth watching in the late post. Tracy is a trainer at Hawthorne who tends to spot horses effectively, and at 6-1, O'hara At Dawn (3) represents genuine value if she shows early energy.

Bourbon Americana (5) at 8-1 for Blanca Candelas and Alexander Bendezu is a filly that Candelas has entered in the MSW finale after training at Hawthorne. At 8-1, Bourbon Americana (5) is worth a trifecta inclusion if Bendezu can get her into a comfortable tracking position.

Union Roar (8) at 10-1 for Terry R Young and J E Felix is a deep price that Felix accepts with some apparent confidence. Young's barn has been active today with Double Thunder (2) in Race 5, and Union Roar (8) at 10-1 is the day's biggest potential exotic payoff if she can improve off her maiden efforts.

Catnip Hill (4) at 20-1 for Frank K Horvath and Brooke Bays is the longest price on the board in the finale. Without significant evidence of recent improvement, Catnip Hill (4) is a functional toss in win and place wagering, though the 20-1 morning line makes her attractive in deep exotics as a single-ticket inclusion.

Selections

Win: Shezthefactor (7) Place: Plume (1) Show: Cloudy Lass (2)

Jockey Notes and Insights

Jareth Loveberry is the leading rider to follow on today's card with four mounts: Moonrise Drive (4) in Race 1, He Gone (1) in Race 2, Sawyer Fox (3) in Race 4, Iceberg Slim (2) in Race 6, and Plume (1) in Race 8. That is five mounts across the card, and Loveberry sitting atop the morning lines in Race 1, Race 2, Race 4, and Race 6 means the win pool will grind his horses down significantly. Bettors who like Loveberry should focus their exotic action rather than simply hammering the win pools.

Frank Reyes is perhaps the most intriguing rider on today's card with mounts across six races: Cantarito (2) in Race 1, Go Jack Go (2) in Race 2, Came Up Roses (6) in Race 3, El Mucho (6) in Race 4, Twirling Roses (3) in Race 5, Whiskeyinateacup (1) in Race 7, and Shezthefactor (7) in Race 8. That is seven mounts, making Reyes the busiest rider on the card by a significant margin. When a jockey accepts a full card of mounts, it typically indicates strong relationships with multiple trainers and a willingness to ride aggressively throughout. Reyes's mounts span multiple trainers and conditions, making him the most versatile rider to track today.

J E Felix is the third key rider on today's card with mounts in Regained Power (3) in Race 2, Visionista (2) in Race 3, Long Tall Woman (1) in Race 4, Double Thunder (2) in Race 5, Good To Be Prince (1) in Race 6, and Union Roar (8) in Race 8. Felix has been a productive rider at Hawthorne this spring, particularly in combination with trainer Eduardo Rodriguez, and the Rodriguez-Felix combination appears in multiple races today. Felix is a rider who tends to settle his horses early and make one sustained move, which plays well at the distances represented on today's card.

Israel Hernandez rides Westeros (3) in Race 1, Big D (5) in Race 2, O'hara At Dawn (3) in Race 8, and Handsome Herb (5) in Race 6. His mount on Handsome Herb (5) in the allowance feature represents his highest-profile opportunity of the day, and bettors should monitor whether the Armando Hernandez-Israel Hernandez combination produces a winner today.

Luis H Colon is active throughout the card with mounts on Wolf Hunter (1) in Race 1, Wayllen Richard (7) in Race 4, Racarino (4) in Race 5, Takeitaway (4) in Race 6, Breaking News (2) in Race 7, and Fun On The Bayou (6) in Race 8. Colon's presence on Wayllen Richard (7) in the optional claiming feature and Takeitaway (4) in the allowance race puts him in contention for important results in the card's most lucrative events.

Alexander Bendezu rides Rumbling (5) in Race 4, We Miss Arlington (5) in Race 5, Honor Point (3) in Race 6, Boldish (4) in Race 7, and Bourbon Americana (5) in Race 8. Bendezu has been developing into one of the more reliable riders at Hawthorne this spring, and his mounts today include multiple horses at competitive prices — making him a value-oriented jockey to track throughout the card.

Trainer Notes and Insights

Eduardo Rodriguez is the dominant trainer presence on today's card with multiple horses entered across several races: Regained Power (3) in Race 2, Visionista (2) in Race 3, Long Tall Woman (1) and an angle to watch in Race 4 — note he also saddles Strange Arrange (1) and We Miss Arlington (5) in Race 5, Good To Be Prince (1) and Honor Point (3) in Race 6. Rodriguez's aggressive booking of mounts suggests his barn is in good form, and horseplayers should look for pattern wins when Rodriguez runs multiple horses in the same race, as his primary choice in each field typically carries the barn's most focused effort.

Larry Rivelli continues to be among the most respected trainers at Hawthorne with runners He Gone (1) in Race 2, Iceberg Slim (2) in Race 6, and Plume (1) in Race 8. Rivelli combines consistently with Loveberry, and that combination in Races 2, 6, and 8 represents three of the day's strongest trainer-jockey partnerships. Rivelli's allowance runner Iceberg Slim (2) in Race 6 is the most significant opportunity for the barn.

Wayne M Catalano's presence in Race 4 with Sawyer Fox (3) is noteworthy. Catalano is one of the most accomplished trainers at Hawthorne historically, and when he enters a horse in a feature race with Loveberry up, it warrants maximum handicapping respect. The Catalano barn does not run horses to compete — they run to win.

Hugo Rodriguez has an extremely active card with Wayllen Richard (7) and El Mucho (6) in Race 4, Big D (5) in Race 2, and Breaking News (2) in Race 7. The dual entry in Race 4 is the most interesting Rodriguez angle of the day, and bettors should form an opinion on which horse represents the barn's primary weapon before wagering.

Armando Hernandez trains Racarino (4) and Twirling Roses (3) in Race 5 and Handsome Herb (5) in Race 6. With multiple horses today and the family jockey connection in the allowance race, the Hernandez barn is worth monitoring for a productive afternoon.

Chris Block's dual entry of Cloudy Lass (2) and Fun On The Bayou (6) in Race 8 is one of the more intriguing angles on the closing race. Block trainers historically use the dual-entry scenario to ensure coverage, and bettors should evaluate whether one horse has a clear form edge to determine which Block horse to key in exotic wagering.

Pat Clay trains Lucy's Lookin Left (3) in Race 3 and Boldish (4) in Race 7, spreading activity across two different conditions. Clay tends to place horses intelligently within the claiming ranks, and both entries appear to be in appropriate spots based on their morning line prices.

Best Wagering Strategies and Value Plays

The most important wagering directive on today's card is to identify the races where the public will hammer down prices on obvious favorites and seek value elsewhere. The five-horse fields in Races 1, 3, 5, and 6 create environments where exotic payoffs will be more modest, while the seven-horse Race 4 and the eight-horse Race 8 offer the best opportunities for meaningful trifecta and superfecta returns.

The Pick 5 sequence, typically available at Hawthorne spanning the last five races of the card, would cover Races 4 through 8. This is the most attractive multi-race wager on today's card given the number of live longshot threats across those five legs. A logical Pick 5 ticket would use Sawyer Fox (3) singled or with El Mucho (6) in Race 4, Racarino (4) or We Miss Arlington (5) in Race 5, Iceberg Slim (2) singled in Race 6, Whiskeyinateacup (1) or Breaking News (2) in Race 7, and spreading to Shezthefactor (7), Plume (1), Cloudy Lass (2), and Fun On The Bayou (6) in the finale. A ticket structure of 2 x 2 x 1 x 2 x 4 produces 32 combinations and covers the card's most likely outcomes across the Pick 5 legs.

The best win value play on today's card is Honor Point (3) in Race 6 at 5-1 in the allowance feature. Eduardo Rodriguez running two horses in the allowance race suggests a fully competitive effort from both, and Honor Point (3) at 5-1 in a five-horse field is a genuine overlay relative to the talent of the barn.

The best exotic value play is Union Roar (8) at 10-1 in Race 8 to complete trifectas and superfectas. In a wide-open maiden race with eight horses, the J E Felix mount for Terry Young at 10-1 can easily land in the trifecta if the speed collapses, and a small investment behind the more likely top two or three finishers keeps the potential payoffs extremely attractive.

In Race 4, the trifecta structure should be built around Sawyer Fox (3) on top with El Mucho (6) and Wayllen Richard (7) in second, spreading to Long Tall Woman (1), Rumbling (5), and Wayllen Richard (7) in third. The Hugo Rodriguez dual entry creates natural wheeling value since one of his two horses — El Mucho (6) or Wayllen Richard (7) — figures to be in the trifecta.

The best daily double value on the card is keying Whiskeyinateacup (1) from Race 7 to Shezthefactor (7) or Plume (1) in Race 8. Two top-priced morning line choices combining in the daily double produces a moderate payoff, but adding Boldish (4) and Breaking News (2) underneath in Race 7 to Shezthefactor (7), Plume (1), and Cloudy Lass (2) in Race 8 creates a broader ticket that catches most of the likely outcomes at a reasonable cost.

Finally, the Race 2 exacta keying He Gone (1) over Go Jack Go (2) and Big D (5) is the safest structured exacta on the card, with the Rivelli-Loveberry combination offering enough confidence to use as a single key. The 2-1 morning line will settle around even money at post time, but the exacta return with Go Jack Go (2) or Big D (5) beneath should still produce a meaningful payoff relative to the investment.

Before wagering, check the Latest Race Scratches, Changes, and Conditions post for any last-minute scratches or race changes.


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