Tonight, Hawthorne Race Course concludes their opening weekend with an 11-race card. The feature rolls in Race 3 an Open Trot with a $10,000 purse. The Late 0.50 Pick 4 sequence begins in Race 8 and has a $20,000 guaranteed pool.

Handicapping at Hawthorne this weekend has been challenging but the track hasn't had much of a bias. There have been nice prices, including large superfecta payouts, and also winning favorites. Some horses have raced in December, others are coming off a longer layoff. One thing that has been consistent is driver Casey Leonard has continued his winning ways. Last night Leonard steered home three winners and he had two trips to the winner's circle on Friday.

Last night at Cal Expo my posted Pick 4 ticket came apart in the opening leg when #5-Dark Prince, who was off my radar, rolled home to pay $19.60. At post time it was interesting Dark Prince was only 8-1 as he was winless in 2017, but last night was his time to shine. There was also a 25-1 shot who captured leg three as the (5-9-7-4) combination for 0.20 paid $3181.72.

My focus will be on the Pick 4 and its pool could be considerably more than the $20,000 guarantee. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 8
2-BR Gorgeous Boy-9-time winner in '17 was racing at DTN in Dec. and is worth a swing at 12-1 in the ML.
3-Lotta Richess-Trainer has had some winners this weekend and Wilfong should keep 6-year-old in the hunt.
6-Bestnotlie Hanover-Has a 53.4 mark at CalX, 7/5 shot is Leonard's choice. Don't like the price but fits.

Race 9
4-Parked And Rolling-Warren's choice tuned up in Springfield and knows this track, should compete well here.
6-Sagebrush Shocker-Rucker owned and trained seems to have the speed to take a picture with best effort.
7-Meltdownshymntohm-Don't know if team Tetrick trainee is 3/2 good, but will respect.

Race 10
1-Primed And Powerful-5-year-old knows Haw, and if ready could offer a stiff challenge at a square price from rail.
4-Lous Credit Report-Not agreeing with the 25-1 ML, Lou likes the track and if ready should be a player.
6-Picky Picky Valor-Leonard's choice over 2 others, comes off a big year and will respect connections.

Race 11
1-Dandy's Dududidudu-Leonard knows this mare and Rittof had a winner on Saturday, looks like a major player.
3-Morgangetsherway-Tuned-up in Springfield last month and should make presence felt.
8-Ideals Oath-Has faced better in December and program chalk is a threat with a clean trip.

0.50 Late Pick 4
2,3,6/4,6,7/1,4,6/1,3,8
Total Bet=$40.50

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