Hawthorne Racecourse has a 10-race card with the 0.50 Late Pick 4 starting in Race 7. 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 7 (8:40 PM EST)

1-Dune Dame (5/2)-Comes off one of his better races in a while and did show some guts down the lane. Leonard could get a close-up seat and wait to use one move to roll by.
6-Genie Ina Bottle (6-1)-Three race win streak was snapped in last. Was far back and had traffic issues when used down the lane. Should offer a solid price, moves in from post 8 and gets a +++ driver change in Todd Warren.
8-Rockin Sage (20-1)-Is 0-9 on an off-track so will toss the last start, but didn't quit in the late going. Should be used at the morning line price even from the outside. Needs some honest fractions, but Husted could get a good early seat and rally off cover.

Race 8 (8:55 PM EST)

2-Roan By Design (7/2)-Likes to race near the top of the stack and should get there tonight without being driven hard into a 55.4 opening half. Seekman takes the lines, and he has done good work with this 3-year-old filly.
5-Read Btwn The Lies (9/2)-Had a 4-race win streak snapped last time and a rough trip from post 8 was the undoing. Warren sticks, gets post relief, and will look for a more efficient trip.
7-One R Andis Star (3-1)-Likes to race up front and there isn't much gate speed inside. So, should land in a good seat and be in the mix at the wire.

Race 9 (9:10 PM EST)

2-Fox Valley York (9/5)-Being 0-13 a short price isn't easy to swallow but has been facing tougher foes, and has hit the board in 8 of 13. Went a wide trip in the slop in the Cardinal and finished 4th. Bates should work a smoother journey versus this field.
7-Sign Of Times (6-1)-Improved in last and that was the 2nd start at Haw. Looking for the upswing to continue and could be in the hunt at a good price if the pace is hot.


Race 10 (9:25 PM EST)

1-Kizzzmelikeumissme (10-1)-Comes off a strong effort from post 8 versus this kind and now gets a positive driver change in Bates. Has been camera shy this year but that could change here at a juicy price.
5-Velocity McSweets (2-1)-Comes off a strong try from post 9 in the slop but has been unusually camera shy this year (15-1-2-2). Figures to be a player and has been tossing hints. So, will hold my nose and use despite the short price.

0.50 Late Pick 4

1,6,8/2,5,7/2,7/1,5
Total Bet=$18

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