This is the opening weekend for the fall meet at Hawthorne Racecourse and tonight there is an 18-race card with a first post at 4:30 CST. The headliners are Illinois bred two-and three-year-olds competing in Illinois State Fair Stakes. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 15. The sequence has a $15,000 guaranteed pool, and it will be my focus.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 15 (9:10 PM EST)

2-Lou Sangreal (9/2)-Comes out of the same race as the one below and was also off a month. Was used to get on the point but faded down the lane and should do better here. Has 3 second place finishes in 6 starts in Stickney, Casey Leonard takes the lines and that should help.
5-Radiant Diamond (6/5)-This filly was off a month between starts and was 10 lengths back at the first call. Rallied and lost by a neck in a dead-heat finish. Has a win and a 2nd place finish in 4 starts here and should be tuned up for a big try at a short price.

Race 16 (9:30 PM EST)

6-Little Chipper (2-1)-Short field and it should come down to the 2 chalks battling each other down the lane. My lean will be here, drew off in last at DuQ and should offer a bit more value than #5-Lous Private Eye.

Race 17 (9:50 PM EST)

1-Fox Valley Leah (4/5)-Winner in 6 of 7 this year deserves the favorite's role but not going to concede this contest. Loses Atlee Bender and missed hitting the board in the only start here. Using but looking to others for some value in what could be a chalky sequence.
2-Fox Valley Kia (7/2)-My take is Kia has enough speed to beat the odds-on favorite but can't afford a bumpy trip. Has gotten off to a slow start this year but banked over $131,000 in 2022. Has hit the board in 3 of 4 races at Haw and has posted 2 wins.
7-Rona Mae (12-1)-Willing to toss last at DuQ after being off a month and has done good work here (7-4-1-0). There could be a few who leave and if the pace is hot Travis Seekman could have the Ray Hanna trainee rolling down the lane at a big price.

Race 18 (10:10 PM EST)

3-Roan By Design (15-1)-At this price will overlook the last race with about a month between starts. Has 2 second place finishes in 4 races at Haw. Could get a cozy trip behind the program chalk #5.
5-My Daddy's Revenge (7/5)- Won his last start off an efficient trip and was the even money choice. John De Long takes over for Leonard who steers for his father's barn. This is the logical choice who will be a short price and has won 3 of 5 at Haw.
6-The Magical Woman (5/2)-Came off the bench and almost wired the field at DuQ. The Erv Miller trainee does good work in Stickney hitting the board in 6 of 7 with 2 pictures. Doesn't have the same credentials as the program chalk but should be in the hunt.
7-Seniorita Mouse (10-1)-Will look for another price who has been in the mix in the last 8 starts. Will need her best race but does have experience on this oval (6-2-1-1) and seems to be improving.

0.50 Late Pick 4

2,5/6/1,2,7/3,5,6,7
Total Bet=$12

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