Hawthorne Harness: Saturday 5/27 Analysis
Best Bet (2 - 4 / $6.20): IN YOUR EYE (5th)
Spot Play: BACKWOODS BARBIE (7th)
Race 1
(3) SS LOVER mare has beaten better on the year and will offer a fair price. (2) FRESH SQUEEZED gets sent out for a hot barn first start off the claim. (7) CRUISE QUEEN will look to make it five wins in nine starts on the year.
Race 2
In a weak field, (5) SHYMASTER has upside coming off a decent win for proven connections. (1) NEVADA BLUCHIP might be the only threat to the top choice but will need more. (8) SHAWTY HANOVER has just been racing evenly; use underneath.
Race 3
(5) YOUNG AMERICAN drops down against slightly softer; threat. (8) SEEYOUATTHEFINISH is the horse to beat but has lacked pop late in the lane. (7) FOX VALLEY CHARM mare makes her third start back off the layoff. The 5-year-old was sharp in the first effort before coming up empty last week.
Race 4
(1) FOX VALLEY NEMITZ looks primed for a big effort third start back. (7) HOT ROD DYLAN has been on a roll but will offer another short price. (2) SPORTY REDHOT also has room to improve after some nice tighteners.
Race 5
(5) IN YOUR EYE went a huge back half last start; big chance. (1) IMA SKYDANCER will look to make it three straight wins against similar. (6) SULLIVAN just missed last race and has put in two nice efforts in a row.
Race 6
(5) NORTHERN ANGLE had some sneaky late pace last out after an easy ground saving trip. The pacer will be driven much more aggressively this week. (7) MAJOR BLISS nice looking pacer looks the best on paper but did start to shorten up strides very late last week. (2) DAVID'S DRAW has been facing tougher out east; threat.
Race 7
(1) BACKWOODS BARBIE had a rough time out east but now gets the best post in against softer. (9) ROCKNROLL HOOCHCOO well bred mare should be ready for a better effort third start back down in class. (6) ALWAYSSMOOTHRAIGIN didn't show her best effort on the front end last start. If the pacer works out a smooth trip she's a threat at a price.
Race 8
(8) SAM SWIFTY was sharp last start drawing off impressively. The pacer bumps up in class for a new barn off the claim. (6) FOX VALLEY BAILEY picks up a big driver change this week. (7) PEACELOVEPACE shows some competitive races against similar.
Race 9
(1) STRAIGHT IMAGE takes a significant drop in class with the best post. (10) ROCKINAROUNDHEAVEN pacing mare looks the best on paper but the far outside post will be tough to overcome. (7) REAL SHEILA will look to make it two straight at this level.
Race 10
(3) MOBIL BIG JOHN was huge last week for a new barn. The pacer was claimed but looks to be in good form. (5) SUMMER SHANDY might be the sleeper in the race making his second start back off the layoff. (6) MASERATI SEELSTER has been claimed in two straight and looks to offer a short price; use caution.
Race 11
(10) RED HOT ART pacer gets sent out first start off the long layoff, however the trainer is known for having them ready. (9) FOX VALLEY HERBIE pacer made a break last start but was the driver's choice. (8) IYQ YQR looks tough to beat but gets sent out for a low percentage pilot.
Race 12
(10) LEXINGTON LADY doesn't look good on paper and is outside but does get needed class relief. (5) IF YOU SAY SO can improve second start from Cal Expo. (6) RED HOT N FLASHY finished well in the qualifier.
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