Hawthorne Racecourse has a 10-race card set to start the weekend. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 begins in Race 6. The sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool, and it will be my focus.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 6

1-Big N Bad (5-1)-Beat a couple of these with a 55.1 back half in the 2nd start off a claim and now steps-up. Still fits and Wilfong should be able to work another good trip.
2-Baron Chancey (10-1)-Was bet in last and was aggressively driven and now faces a tougher challenge. Should be in striking range turning for home and could offer a nice price.
3-Rockinsweetvictory (5-1)-Came back from HoP and dropped and popped. This 4-year-old has hit the board in 9 of 14 in Stickney with 6 pictures. Faces better than last but fits and has the gate speed to be put in play early.
4-DJ Lance (4-1)-Leonard's choice over #3 is often in the hunt. Numbers 3/4 are Willis entries and this veteran is the better earner. There should be an honest pace and with a smooth steer this could be the 8th win in 26 starts at Haw.

Race 7

3-I'm An Athlete (9/2)-Got on the engine and didn't look back versus this kind in last and paced the fastest mile of the year. Doesn't win very often but could stay good for another and Seekman is back between the pipes.
4-Readfortheladys (7-1)-Comes out of the same race as #3 and threw a dud as an odds-on chalk. Will look for better as in the previous win in 152.4 which was a new lifetime mark for this 3-year-old. Willing to take a swing for a price.
8-Straite Rate (7/2)-Came off cover and rolled by last week in a season's best 1.54. Leonard could work the same type of trip and the fractions should be lively.

Race 8

1-Sirodsdalicrickett (3-1)-Drops to a spot to shine, the same level as the only win this year on 6-23. Was an odds-on chalk that day and should be bet down off the morning line.
5-Pine Master (4-1)-Made an early move to get the point but faded down the lane last week. That was only the 2nd start since 6-20. Could have more to offer here and should be able to get the top without using much gas.
8-Townline Big Rigs (2-1)-Team Leonard entry was doing well versus better earlier in the summer but hasn't done much since breaking stride on 7-9. This is a significant drop and should be a player even from this post if bring its "A" game but won't offer much value.

Race 9

1-Machlicious (5/2)-Makes the 2nd start for the Rittof barn and comes off a 3rd place finish pacing the back half in .56. Won't be 20-1 tonight but should handle this group coming right back in the 2nd local start. Husted could get the jump on others this time by making a move earlier in the mile.

My Ticket

Race 6) 1,2,3,4

Race 7) 3,4,8

Race 8) 1,5,8

Race 9) 1

Total Ticket Cost) $18 for $0.50

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