Hawthorne Racecourse starts the night with a $10,895 carryover in the 0.50 Pick 5. That helps the guaranteed pool to grow to $25,000 and the sequence will be my focus.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 1

1-Muscular Babe (7/2)-Will take a swing this mare is up to beating the boys in 3rd start off the bench. Gets post relief, has won 3 of 7 races at Haw and will respect connections.
4-Louscardamon (3-1)-Looking for 3rd straight pictures after 2 sharp wins since using Lasix. Best to respect but may not get a 3rd quarter breather this time.
8-Lousraptor (7-1)-Makes 3rd start on Lasix and 3rd start off the bench. Has fallen victim in previous two races to sharp winners. The price should be right here and has been trying hard but will need best on step up in class.

Race 2

5-Luke's Rocketman (5/2)-Was 0-22 until last time and that was an impressive mile racing wide much of the way. May have awaken and will string along as this barn has started the meet hot.
7-Adios Amigos (5-1)-Raced well from the 8-hole in last and now makes 3rd Stickney start after arriving from CalX. Thinking upswing could continue as could be better acclimated to the weather. Using and leaving #6, the ML chalk out.

Race 3

1-Waymore (7-1)-Oosting's choice over #5 tries Lasix for the 2nd time. Raced okay in the back half last week and now faces a field without a standout.
3-Trashytonguetalker (3-1)-Has won 14 of 33 starts at Haw but has fallen on hard times and has made only 6 starts in 2019-20. This looks like a spot to duck, stay on the wood and look to brush by down the lane.
5-Why Ask Why (9/2)-10-year old was used hard off the gate into a 55.4 opening half and didn't cave in at the end of the mile. Should be tighter and could win at a square price.

Race 4

3-J B's Hero (5-1)-Makes 3rd start of the meet and was rolling in the back half of the mile but couldn't gain ground into a tepid pace. Leonard sticks and will look for better tonight.
5-Native's Best Bet (9/2)-Made a rare break in last after going off as the chalk. Previous start was an easy win, thinking a repeat of that performance is more likely than last week's miscue.
7-Holdonwe'rerolling (2-1)-Drew off as a strong winner last time and beat five from this field. That start came after being on the shelf since 11/3. Looks like a major player for a barn batting 36%.

Race 5

5-A Bettors Risk (9/5)-Tuned-up last week versus Open company and now drops to a softer spot. Last line was better than it looked, went the last half in 54.3, last quarter in .27 flat. Looks like a winner with a decent trip.

0.50 Pick 5

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

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