Pick Pony Track Condition Report — Hawthorne Race Course, June 28, 2026

Weather Forecast: Temperatures around the afternoon card are expected to be in the upper 70s to low 80s, with a modest chance of scattered showers and a light southwest wind. Conditions like this typically leave the dirt playable but can keep the turf course a touch more forgiving if any rain arrives.

Track Surface & Bias: On dirt (D), Hawthorne often rewards forwardly placed runners when the main track is playing fair, with the inside to middle lanes generally the most efficient trip if the surface is tight and dry. On turf (T), the more reliable pattern is for stalkers and tactical types to get first run, while deep closers need a stronger pace than usual to fully unwind; if moisture is present, turf routes can become even more kind to horses with position and balance rather than pure late kick.

Handicapper's Edge: Today's card looks best suited to horses with early tactical speed and the ability to hold position through the first turn, especially on the dirt. On turf, favor runners with clean stalking trips over specialists who require an overly hot pace, since Hawthorne race shapes can become more trip-dependent than raw-speed dependent when the course is not especially firm.