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Today’s eight-race card at Hawthorne presents an interesting mix of claiming and allowance events across dirt and turf surfaces during the final weeks of the Illinois racing season.
Race Day Overview
Weather Conditions: Sunny skies with temperatures ranging from 37°F to 54°F, providing ideal racing conditions with no precipitation expected. The main track is listed as fast with excellent racing weather forecast throughout the afternoon.
Track Notes: The turf course has rails positioned at 10 feet for turf races, which typically favors horses with tactical speed who can secure good early position.
Race 1 – Maiden Claiming (1 Mile 70Y Dirt, 2:43 PM)
Key Contenders: Jackson’s Buddy (#1) enters with significant class improvement after moving up with a class drop last month at Indiana. His effort over poor track conditions can be upgraded, having made a strong rush into fast early pace and continued wide in a duel with the winner. Orlando Mojica takes the mount for trainer Brian Cook.
Secondary Choices: My Last Escapade (#2) fits as another forward runner who should be prominent early and appears fit stretching out from recent route work. Black Russian (#5) represents the best closing option in this field and appears ready to clear his maiden condition with positive form cycle patterns and main track return.
Pace Analysis: The early pace appears contested with Jackson’s Buddy and My Last Escapade both capable of pressing forward, setting up potential closing opportunities for Black Russian.
Selections: Jackson’s Buddy (win), Black Russian (place/show), My Last Escapade (exactor)
Race 2 – Claiming (5.5F Turf, 3:19 PM)
Key Contenders: With rails positioned favorably, Whatdoyouthinkmark (#1) and Aladante (#4) both draw inside posts and figure as pacesetters in this competitive claiming event. Both horses are well-spotted and capable in their current condition.
Secondary Choices: Baladine (#5) requires a trip but fits well with projected intent, wheeling back from a conditioning effort after a 42-day break. Ravin’s Town (#3) also merits consideration with inside positioning advantages.
Track Bias: The inside bias that was key last Thursday when rails were out may return to play, favoring the inside runners.
Selections: Aladante (win), Whatdoyouthinkmark (place), Baladine (show)
Race 3 – Claiming (1 Mile 70Y Dirt, 3:51 PM)
Key Contenders: Tango Mike Mike (#6) brings consistent higher speed figures and arguable class edge despite lack of recent activity. The speed figure contrast favors this runner significantly over the competition.
Secondary Choices: Wolf Hunter (#3) brings substantial foundation and competes well when properly placed at this level. Game Santa (#2) steps up against winners but has shown progression in three starts this season under trainer Manny Perez.
Longshot Consideration: Skibidi Rizz (#5) fits on class with today’s lower race par and returns from a wide rush effort two weeks ago.
Pace Analysis: The race lacks early speed, potentially favoring horses with tactical ability.
Selections: Tango Mike Mike (win), Wolf Hunter (place), Game Santa (show)
Race 4 – Claiming Fillies & Mares (1 Mile Turf, 4:24 PM)
Key Contenders: What’s To Do (#7) upgraded with class change and turned in competitive efforts when properly placed. Spicy Italian (#5) holds similar grade efforts at this level and benefits from favorable positioning.
Secondary Choices: Church Pew (#3) fits conditions well but faces shorter odds concerns with off-the-pace running style.
Pace Analysis: Honest pace expected with Mary Moonglow (#1) stretching out from rail to pressure Regal Majesty (#2) on lead, along with early runner Qurbaan D Oro (#6).
Selections: What’s To Do (win), Spicy Italian (place), Church Pew (show)
Race 5 – Claiming (6F Dirt, 4:53 PM)
Key Contenders: This competitive claiming sprint features several viable options. Racarino (#1) brings upgraded form cycle and competitive recent races, though must overcome inside draw concerns. Comiskey Park (#8) rates above average based on overall career but shows 42-day layoff concerns.
Value Plays: Mon Ami Fuzzie (#3) could win this race if returning to his July 27th effort at similar conditions. Dick Best (#9) offers longshot value off fourth-place finish at this level.
Pace Setup: Early pace expected from Xpressir (#2), Off to the Races (#4), and All About Tonite (#6).
Selections: Mon Ami Fuzzie (win), Racarino (place), Dick Best (longshot play)
Race 6 – Allowance (5.5F Turf, 5:20 PM)
Race 6 represents the strongest contest on today’s Hawthorne card, featuring a competitive allowance field for horses that have never won $12,000 once other than in restricted conditions.
Race Conditions
Surface: Turf with rails positioned at 10 feet, which typically favors horses with tactical speed who can secure good early position. If taken off the turf, the race will be contested at 5½ furlongs on the main track.
Field: Nine runners competing at the allowance level with purse distribution of $20,790 to the winner.
Key Contenders
I Am Lowkey (#3) emerges as the most logical choice based on class positioning and connections. This 4-year-old gelding carries 124 pounds with Orlando Mojica aboard for trainer Tanner Tracy, a combination that has shown positive results at Hawthorne. The horse brings competitive form into this allowance test and fits well within the condition parameters.
Good Apple (#1) represents trainer Shane Childers, who has demonstrated success with turf runners throughout the current meet. The 5-year-old gelding shows a recent form line of 2338x7x121, indicating some inconsistency but competitive efforts when properly placed. Frank Reyes takes the mount carrying 124 pounds.
Martini Man (#2) brings a compact record of 6 starts with 2 wins and 1 place finish. Eduardo Gallardo rides for trainer Coty Rosin, who has shown positive return on investment with turf debuts and surface switches during the current meet. At 122 pounds, this 4-year-old gets a slight weight concession.
Secondary Choices
Shake Up (#4) enters for trainer Joel Berndt with Israel Hernandez riding. The 5-year-old carries 122 pounds and represents stable form from connections that have been competitive at this level.
Time Muse (#9) reunites with trainer Joel Berndt, giving the barn multiple chances in this competitive allowance event. Santiago Gonzalez handles the riding duties on this 4-year-old gelding.
Dr. Perry (#6) brings experience at 122 pounds under Alonso Quinonez for trainer Tim Padilla. The 6-year-old represents tactical speed and could factor if the pace sets up favorably.
Longshot Considerations
Front End (#7) offers potential value as a 3-year-old getting weight allowance at 119 pounds. Julio Felix rides for trainer Rohan Crichton in what could be a development spot for this younger runner.
Bears’ D (#4) represents trainer David Miller with Alexander Bendezu aboard. This 4-year-old at 122 pounds could provide exotic value if the pace unfolds favorably.
Pace Analysis
The turf sprint distance should produce honest early fractions with several runners possessing tactical speed. Good Apple and I Am Lowkey both figure to be positioned prominently, while Dr. Perry could press from an outside post. The rail positioning at 10 feet may favor inside speed, making Good Apple from the rail particularly dangerous if he breaks alertly.
Track Bias Considerations
Hawthorne’s turf course has shown favorability toward horses that can secure good early position when rails are positioned at standard measurements. The 5½ furlong distance typically rewards tactical speed over pure closers on this configuration.
Trainer/Jockey Angles
Tanner Tracy has shown positive results with allowance-level horses during the current meet. Orlando Mojica represents one of the leading riders at the current Hawthorne stand and handles horses well in competitive allowance events.
Shane Childers has demonstrated success with turf runners and should have Good Apple prepared for this spot from the favorable rail draw.
Wagering Strategy
Win: I Am Lowkey offers the best combination of class, connections, and current form cycle for the win spot.
Place/Show: Good Apple provides solid place/show value from the rail with tactical speed.
Exacta: I Am Lowkey over Good Apple and Martini Man represents the most logical combination.
Trifecta: Include Time Muse and Dr. Perry underneath the top three choices for added value.
This allowance event should produce competitive racing with several viable contenders, making it an excellent wagering race for both straight and exotic play opportunities.
Race 7 – Claiming (6F Dirt, 5:49 PM)
This claiming sprint for horses that have never won three races presents opportunities in the higher claiming ranks.
Track Bias: The six-furlong distance should favor speed and early position on the main track.
Selections: Analysis requires current form review for specific recommendations.
Race 8 – Claiming Fillies & Mares (1 Mile 70Y Dirt, 6:18 PM)
Key Contenders: She Be Sheehan (#1) opened as favorite with significant betting support on her layoff return. The rail draw should help her be forward early and the conditioning from her recent return should benefit.
Secondary Choices: Little Dixie (#6) benefits from class change and late-meet positioning. Legally Lucky (#10) fits as contender despite recent inactivity, overdue for win with competitive OP and Hawthorne efforts.
Longshot Value: Tall Girl (#9) merits longshot consideration despite recent disappointments based on trip analysis.
Selections: She Be Sheehan (win), Little Dixie (place), Legally Lucky (show)
Jockey Notes
Orlando Mojica rides three mounts today including Jackson’s Buddy in Race 1 and appears to have strong book positioning.
Eduardo Gallardo and Julio Felix both have multiple mounts and represent consistent riding options throughout the card.
Trainer Insights
Manny Perez sends out multiple runners including Wolf Hunter and Game Santa in Race 3, both offering different tactical approaches.
John Haran conditions several horses across multiple races and should be watched for stable patterns.
Best Wagering Strategies
Single Race Focus: Race 3 with Tango Mike Mike represents the strongest individual play based on speed figure advantages.
Multi-Race Sequences: Consider Pick 3 sequences involving Races 1-2-3 with Jackson’s Buddy/Aladante/Tango Mike Mike as key horses.
Value Opportunities: Mon Ami Fuzzie in Race 5 and Dick Best as longshot overlay provide potential betting value at higher odds.
