Hawthorne Racecourse has a 12-race card scheduled with the 0.50 Late Pick 4 starting in Race 9. 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 9 (9:50 PM CST)

7-Fox Valley Kodiak (10-1)-Game effort last time against this kind to finish a close third. Gets a new set of hands in Smolin, maybe that helps. Seems to be on the improve and starting inside instead of post 7 could make a difference.
8-Fox Valley Durham (2-1)-Comes off a sharp effort to win at this class by drawing off by 5 lengths. Post 8 could make it more of a challenge but has been a cut above the rest.

Race 10 (10:10 PM CST)

1-Isle Coach (7/2)-The Kevin Miller pupil drops in for a tag and Bates takes the lines. Should relish the company and might look to wire the field.
4-Westwind Ideal (4-1)-Had an even effort in last and now drops. Warren sticks and will look for improvement in the 3rd start since shipping in from Hoosier Park.
9-Telstar (8-1)-Should be a solid price, and this will be the 1st time for Stewart to take a spin. Showed some life last week and was hung the mile but still went the back half in 56.1. Looking for a better drive and finish.

Race 11 (10:30 PM CST)

1-Ice Dance (7/2)-Not liking the short price but this is the 3rd race here after shipping in from HoP and the mare may have met a beatable field. Warren sticks and should be forwardly placed off the gate.
3-Lion Virgin (15-1)-This mare has decent last quarters but needs more heart to post a win. Is in a position to get sucked around and should be a large price in a race without a standout.
6-Red Clover (4-1)-The 3-year-old is only 2 for 27 and loses Stewart. But Seekman can do the job and has been close finishing 2nd by a length or less in the last 2 races. Beaten even money chalk should be a better price and it's probably wise to not overlook.

Race 12 (10:50 PM CST)

3-Rockin Q (12-1)-Won off an efficient trip and won't be facing claimers tonight but at this price is worth a swing. Was driven aggressively last week and will look for similar tonight.
5-Racin For Royalty (5-1)-Ohio bred shiped in from Aces and had a decent try last time. Could be better here, loses Leonard but Svendsen can provide a good steer. Might be overlooked and is a threat if steps up off the last effort.
7-Gottalovemyshadow (7/2)-Knows how to win on a 1-mile oval and had a good try in its Haw debut. Warren sticks and reliability is not a strong suit at this class. This veteran mare is still a better horse than others in this field and is a player with a smooth trip.

0.50 Late Pick 4

7,8/1,4,9/1,3,6/3,5,7
Total Bet=$27

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