Hawthorne Harness: Saturday 6/24 Analysis
Best Bet (5 - 10 / $18.80): FAT AND POE (10th)
Spot Play: NASHVILLE HOLIDAY (3rd)
Race 1
(1) FOGGY BOTTOM nice-looking 3-year-old will look to make it two straight wins to kick off his career. (5) LOUGAZI might be one of few threats in the race if the gelding can mind his manners. (6) PICKY PICKY VALOR has shown some recent improvement.
Race 2
(9) MILDRED'S BUTTON six-year-old mare could have more in the tank making her second start back off a layoff. (8) SAM SWIFTY picks up a huge driver change first start off the claim. (7) GALYNS GIFT was a game winner last week; threat.
Race 3
(8) NASHVILLE HOLIDAY takes a significant drop in competition. (7) I COULD CARE LESS is also dropping out of the Open. The 5-year-old is the horse to beat and will be looking for the lead early. (6) ALL ABOUT COWBOYS might need a start off the long layoff but was good in the qualifier.
Race 4
(4) BEATRICE will offer a big price and had a lot of late trot last start. (2) WIRED HANOVER looks to make it three straight wins but the driver did opt elsewhere. (5) STORM WINDS four-year-old gelding has some ability when he minds his manners.
Race 5
(3) BACKWOODS BARBIE should have no problem with this group with any kind of trouble-free trip. (2) ARTS-ROCKSTAR had some sneaky late pace last week against similar. (7) BACK STOCK is very inconsistent from week to week; use underneath.
Race 6
In a very weak and inconsistent field, (1) ALWAYSSMOOTHRAIGIN gets sent out for a low percentage pilot, however the pacer does show a nice effort against better last month. (7) GIMMESOMEROOM picks up a huge driver change against softer. (8) HEYHEY MAHANA should be right there with a good setup; threat.
Race 7
(4) ANNAS LUCKY STAR didn't hold on by much last week but looks primed for a big year. (1) ENERGY BAR almost ran down the top pick last out and gets the best post. (5) LOUSCIPHER has been sharp in two straight.
Race 8
(2) DUNE DAME was impeded last week before showing a nice late kick. (6) ARE YOU TERRY has been pacing faster miles than most of the field; short price. (3) MISS MEEKO lightly raced filly has room to improve in her third career start.
Race 9
(8) SS LOVER will offer a monster price in a wide open and evenly matched race. (2) LOVETHEWAYOULOOK went a very fast first half last start against better. The pacing mare can rebound with an easier trip. (4) TRIPLE LANE MELODY picks up a monster driver change down in class.
Race 10
(2) FAT AND POE scored a victory first start off the layoff and should only improve off that effort. (4) LAUREL'S LEA can hit the ticket at a price with a good setup. (1) ALWAYS HAVE FAITH lightly raced filly will be much closer turning for home this week against weaker.
Race 11
(7) FOX VALLEY CHARM faces slightly weaker off two good efforts. (5) POWERFUL PULSE has yet to win in twenty starts on the year but has been knocking on the door. (8) WINGS exploded late last week to sweep past the field. The pacer is in against tougher and should probably be used underneath.
Race 12
(8) MUY CALIENTE well bred 8-year-old has not seen a field this soft in a very long time. (2) NATY gets a great starting post with options against even weaker. (1) ETERNAL GRACE looks to be in line for a nice ground-saving trip up close.
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