Hawthorne completes the weekend with a 12 race card. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 begins in Race 9. The sequence has a $25,000 guaranteed pool, and it will be my focus.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 9

1-Instantaneous Cash (9-1)-Qualified at Springfield and came the back half in a sharp 55.3 after a slow 1st half mile. This appears to be a wide open affair, and the program chalk #6 could be vulnerable.
2-Round Here Buzz (9-1)-Team Leonard trainee raced from the back and started from post 10. Did pace a 56.3 back half and having a start at this track could be an advantage over the 2 others mentioned here.
6-Hidden Assassin (2-1)-Art Major 3-year-old was a $20,000 purchase, qualified a couple of times in 2020 and then was put away. Qualified at Spr on 6-15 on a "good" track and it was okay, so will include but look to others for more value.

Race 10

2-Incedible Bombay (5/2)-Here's the program chalk who is 1-21 lifetime and is trip dependent. On the positive side of the ledger Bombay has raced better this year. Just missed by a nose with a 55.4 back half on 6-6. Seekman steers which should help and he needs to take advantage of the inside starting spot.
8-Super Park (12-1)-Blasted out for the top from post 10 in last. That was also the same plan for a few others and raced wide beyond the 1st turn. Needs to step-up off that effort in the 3rd Haw start and the price should be right to take a swing.
10-Shark Snare (6-1)-Comes out of the same race as #8 and didn't get a smooth journey either. Was used hard off the gate and although no one was catching the winner, was bottled up down the lane and that didn't help. Todd Warren takes the lines for the Simmons' trainee who makes its 2nd appearance in Stickney and that's a ++ driver change.

Race 11

1-Fox Valley Lynyrd (7/2)-Was bet down to 2-1 in last and got locked in on the rail. Then was blocked down the lane so had to race wide and closed nicely late in the race. Had excuses and will likely be bet hard. Four-year-old looks like a main player in its 3rd lifetime start but could be over bet.
5-Rock With JK (7-1)-Makes its 1st career start for the Willis barn and comes off a sharp Haw qualifier on 6-10. Raced in 154.2 on the engine and best to respect connections.
7-Born Desire (5-1)-Comes off a decent debut on 6-6 to finish 2nd. Raced from the back and rolled home with .57 back half. Maybe tonight the pace will be more lively and Seekman will have this 3-year-old in striking range to fly by near the wire

Race 12

1-Fox Valley Kizzy (8-1)-Drew off by 6 lengths to break its maiden in last. Got on the engine from post 9 and didn't look back. Should get a cozy trip, this isn't a very talented field of fillies and mares, so best to not overlook.
4-Adjacent (6-1)-Miller trainee was staked last year and didn't have success so this is a soft spot for a $52,000 Always B Miki filly. Sometimes the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and other times it's in another time zone. Qualifier at HoP was good so will take a swing and hope the morning line price holds up.
8-Countercurrency (7/2)-Has hit the board in 4 of 6 but with only 1 win, and has been a bridesmaid in the last 3 starts. Should be rolling late and Wilfong may catch the leaders with an honest pace.

My Ticket

Race 9: 1,2,6

Race 10: 2,8,10

Race 11: 1,5,7

Race 12: 1,4,8

Total Ticket Cost) $40.50 for $0.50

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