Hawthorne Racecourse (3/15/11)
Contact: Jim Miller
(708) 780-3700
Competitive Tuesday at Hawthorne
It looks like this week we will be getting a dose of spring as temperatures begin to warm and horses are beginning to ship back into Hawthorne from some of the Southern tracks. Despite some smaller fields, we have a very competitive card today with nine races on a fast main track. This week we will be racing Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and we will carry that schedule through the end of the spring meet, which ends on April 30.
Looking back at the Saturday card, there were three riding doubles. Jockeys Tim Thornton, Florent Geroux and Seth Martinez each won a pair on the card as 8 different trainers won races. The most impressive effort on the Saturday card came in the fourth race from maiden Cityrap. The Illinois-bred three-year-old filly was pushed along through quick early fractions in the open maiden race and at the top of the stretch she pulled away with ease under Martinez, winning going away. I expect her to be one of the likely favorites on April 23 in the Pretty Jenny Stakes on Illinois Champions Day.
Inez and I have both been hot with our selections, so tune in to the signal to see if we can keep our winning ways going.
Changes
Main Track – Fast
Race 4
Scratch #5 – Southern Wonder
Race 5
Scratch #1 – Sassy Buck
Race 7
Scratch #2 – Animater
Race 8
Scratch #1 – Old Rules
Survivor Selections of the Day
Total Survivor Entrants: 1,780
Eliminated Friday: 7
Total Remaining: 79
It would seem that the 3rd race on the card would be the most likely race for Survivor, but I only stayed away because I like Stan the Tap Man in there and he can win, but he must avoid a speed duel with Hold That Broad. Hold That Broad should be tough as well, but his tendency to drift out worries me as well. I went to a maiden race in the second with #1 Smoakbox. This runner comes from the barn of leading trainer Joel Berndt and he shortens back in distance today. He has good early speed, and although he tends to tire at times, I don’t expect him to be pressed at all today, allowing him a breather on the lead. Even if he tires today, I don’t expect him to fade further than third. Hope I’m right.
Jim’s Survivor Selection: 2 - #1 - Smoakbox
Inez’ Survivor Selection: 3 - #2 – Hold That Broad
Hawthorne Race Course is in its 102nd year of racing under Carey family ownership. Hawthorne races Friday and Saturday in February, beginning February 11. In March and April, live racing will take place every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday through the end of April. First post daily is 1:30 pm. For more information on racing at Hawthorne, visit our website at www.Hawthorneracecourse.com.
