Hawthorne Race Course: Sunday, July 27, 2025 – Thoroughbred Racing News, Conditions, and Picks
Summary: Hawthorne Race Course hosts a robust card this Sunday with nine scheduled Thoroughbred races beginning at 2:43 pm CT. The highlight includes two $100,000 stakes races, expected fast dirt and firm turf conditions, a competitive lineup of regional trainers and jockeys, and developing two-year-old prospects. Warm, humid midsummer weather is forecast, likely producing fast main track and firm turf.
Track News and Weather Conditions
Summary: Racing returns to Hawthorne this Sunday, featuring two stakes races and a full program beneath anticipated summer conditions.
The first post is set for 2:43 pm. The feature events are The Lady Carey Turf Sprint and the Robert S. Molaro Memorial, both at 5½ furlongs. As of race day, the track is expected to be fast with a firm turf course based on current seasonal norms. The forecast calls for sunny skies, highs around 88°F, and moderate humidity, favoring speed but offering a fair chance for closers down the long Hawthorne stretch.
Trainer and Jockey Notes
Summary: Top local and regional connections are well-represented, with leading trainers Larry Rivelli and Chris Block having strong entries. Jockeys such as Jareth Loveberry and Santiago Gonzalez headline.
- Larry Rivelli, perennial Hawthorne leader, enters multiple favorites including in the 2-year-old filly maiden opener.
- Chris Block, known for turf success, has notable starters in maiden and stakes company.
- Jareth Loveberry and Walter Rodriguez, the colony’s most aggressive riders, are expected to be aboard several well-backed mounts.
- Veteran Santiago Gonzalez is booked for several live chances early on, fresh off a productive summer campaign.
Race-by-Race Analysis and Picks
Race 1: 2-Year-Old Fillies, Maiden Special Weight, 5 Furlongs, Dirt
Summary: Debutantes headline the opener in a competitive field with well-bred fillies and top barns represented.
- Tiz China (Jareth Loveberry, Larry Rivelli) debuts as the 2-1 morning line favorite, shows several sharp a.m. works, and is bred for early speed.
- Cloudy Lass (Olaf Hernandez, Chris Block) at 5/2, profiles as the main danger—well-prepared in the morning and with a pedigree for precocity.
- Great Owl (Walter Rodriguez, Rivelli) at 7/2 is a stablemate with upside and should have every chance from a stalking spot.
- Picks: 4-Tiz China (win), 2-Cloudy Lass (exacta), 5-Great Owl (trifecta).
- Longshot to consider: 1-Last Candy Modernist (could improve with racing).
Race 2: Details Not Provided (Post Time: 3:19 pm)
Summary: The official entries were not available at the time of writing. Expect allowance or claiming runners with local form to be prominent. Monitor changes and track bias as early tactical trends develop.
Race 3–Race 8: Stakes Races and Full Card Action
Summary: Races 3 through 8 feature a mix of competitive allowance and claiming races leading up to the two marquee stakes. Fields are typically large and betting opportunities abound with vulnerable favorites and sharp trainer angles.
- Watch for turf sprints, where pace breakdowns and outside posts can prove decisive.
- Claimers on dirt have produced upset results in previous weeks—keep an eye on horses moving up in class off a win or with fresh trainers.
- Allowance events see the return of several local stars from layoffs; note sharp morning drills as key indicators.
Feature Race: The Lady Carey Turf Sprint ($100,000, F&M 3&Up, 5.5 Furlongs, Turf)
Summary: This filly and mare sprint is a seasonal highlight with regional stakes-caliber runners and sharp invaders.
- Expect Chris Block and Larry Rivelli to saddle key contenders, with front-runners favored in firm-turf sprints.
- Value may lie with horses returning off a short break or showing a sharp recent workout tab.
- Picks: Rivelli-trained speedster (if entered) to wire; Block’s best for the exacta; use closers underneath for trifectas.
Feature Race: Robert S. Molaro Memorial ($100,000, 3&Up, 5.5 Furlongs, Turf)
Summary: Male sprinters clash in a wide-open turf dash, where pace and post position are critical. Several horses with experience over the Hawthorne grass seek the winner’s circle.
- Prominent speed from the inside draws will be tough to reel in if the turf is firm as expected.
- Look for sharp local allowance horses stepping into stakes company to offer the best value.
- Picks: Forwardly placed runners in posts 1-4 get the nod; closers to round out exotics.
Races 9 and Late Pick Sequences
Summary: The card closes with a well-matched allowance or high-level claimer. Deep fields and live longshots offer potential overlays for late Pick 4 and Pick 5 sequences.
- Late races often produce unpredictable results; consider spreading across contenders if playing multi-race wagers.
- Leaning toward trainers with strong same-day stats and horses with tactical speed.
Wagering Notes
Summary: The pools are expected to be strong with no carryovers. Expect competitive odds and several races with open betting boards.
- No early or late Pick-4/5 carryovers, but a $3,599 Pick-6 carryover is available for jackpot seekers.
- Monitor scratches and changes up to post time for late value shifts, especially in full fields.
- Track bias on both surfaces should be assessed after the first two races.
Important Notices and Caveats
Entry information for most races beyond Race 1 was not fully available prior to publication. All predictions are based on leading stable trends, jockey/trainer stats, and customary race conditions at this meet. Official scratches, surface changes, and updated track conditions should be reviewed before finalizing wagers.
