Daily Picks

Hawthorne Picks & Predictions — June 25, 2026

Thursday, June 25, 20267 racesHawthorne

Happy Thursday at Hawthorne. Seven races are on the board today under partly cloudy skies and a comfortable 80°F — solid conditions for both the dirt and the turf course, which should be playing fair and fast as we head into the afternoon.

The card is a nice mix of sprint and route action, with five dirt races and a pair of 5-furlong turf sprints (Races 5 and 7) that could offer some of the most interesting pace scenarios of the day. Claimers dominate the bottom half of the card, but the allowance company in Races 5 and 7 brings a step up in class and some legitimate speed figures to chase.

Three races are fully free for all TrackWiz readers — Races 1, 2, and 3 — with complete premium breakdowns available for the rest of the card. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

7:38 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Sharp Attack holds a significant TrackWiz rating edge over a fairly evenly-matched field, but Lost Sunset's 33% career win rate makes this more than a one-horse race at 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt.

win1Sharp AttackML 9/5

Sharp Attack opens as the 9/5 morning-line favorite and tops the field with a TrackWiz rating of 88.83 — nearly a 10-point gap over the second-best horse. Frank Reyes gets the call for trainer Dino DiZeo, and the 18% career win rate is respectable in this claiming spot. The avg speed figure of 55 ties for the field's best, and at 5 1/2 furlongs this horse should be in a good position from the gate. This looks like a deserving chalk play.

place2Lost SunsetML 5/2

Lost Sunset brings the most compelling career win percentage in the field at 33%, which is genuinely elite for a claiming runner. Olaf Hernandez takes the mount for trainer Frank J. Kirby, and the 5/2 morning line reflects the crowd's respect for this horse. Matching Sharp Attack's avg speed figure of 55, Lost Sunset has the raw numbers to hit the board and potentially upset if the favorite stumbles.

show3BethyML 5/1

Bethy at 5/1 is the value piece in the exotics here — a TrackWiz rating of 77.45 puts her solidly in the mix, and Javier Tavares is an experienced hand who can navigate a short sprint. The 13% career win rate isn't flashy, but she doesn't need to win — she just needs to hang tough in a five-horse field where at least two runners have real questions.

Race 2

8:12 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Wide-open maiden claiming affair with no previous winners in the field — anything can happen when these horses are all still chasing their first score, and the morning-line favorite isn't even the top-rated horse.

win1Lower BroadwayML 3/1

Lower Broadway tops the TrackWiz ratings at 82.26 and goes at a juicy 3/1 morning line, which represents real value against the 7/5 favorite. Trainer John Haran sends out this horse with Johanis Aranguren, and the avg speed figure of 54 is competitive in this maiden company. In a race where nobody has won before, having the highest analytical rating gives Lower Broadway a meaningful edge — this is our top play.

place3Go ChicagoML 8/1

Go Chicago is the value angle in the exacta here, sitting at 8/1 on the morning line despite a TrackWiz rating of 71.35 that outpaces both the favorite Chief Morter (59.33) and Creating Havoc (58.33). Trainer Joel Campbell teams with Julio E. Felix for a six-furlong dirt try. In maiden races, pace scenarios can scramble the results quickly, and Go Chicago's rating suggests there's more here than the public price implies.

show5Chief MorterML 7/5

Chief Morter is the 7/5 morning-line favorite — the crowd clearly likes this one — but TrackWiz analysis has him rated third in the field at 59.33, which creates a mild disconnect worth noting. Trainer Larry Rivelli is a known entity at Hawthorne, and E.T. Baird is a capable rider. He's a solid show play but the better-than-expected prices on Lower Broadway and Go Chicago make Chief Morter the least exciting inclusion in trifecta tickets.

Race 3

8:45 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Blazing Affair looks like a standout on paper, but Escovedo is lurking right behind with a strong rating and a win percentage that makes this a compelling two-horse race at the top.

win5Blazing AffairML 7/5

Blazing Affair carries the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 89.42 and is the morning-line favorite at 7/5. Luis H. Colon rides for trainer Hugo Rodriguez, and the avg speed figure of 55 is tied for best in the race. A 25% career win rate is solid for the claiming ranks, and this horse profiles as a pace-presser or near-pace type over 5 1/2 furlongs of dirt. The numbers strongly support backing the chalk here.

place6EscovedoML 7/2

Escovedo isn't far behind with an 81.02 TrackWiz rating and the field's top career win percentage at 28%. Alexander Bendezu takes the mount for trainer Maximino Quinonez, the same barn that ran Ornery Angel in Race 1 — a barn that clearly ships horses on a regular basis to this card. The 7/2 morning line means Escovedo offers real value for exacta and trifecta players looking to key against the favorite.

show3Long Tall WomanML 9/2

Long Tall Woman at 9/2 brings a 25% career win rate and an avg speed figure of 54 — competitive for this level. Frank Reyes, who's been active on this card for trainer Francisco Villa, can get her into a good spot from Post 3 in a six-horse field. She's the right type to round out show tickets and trifecta coverage, especially with the race shaping up as a potential duel between the top two.

The free portion of the card kicks things off with back-to-back 5½-furlong dirt sprints sandwiching a 6-furlong maiden claimer — and the pace setups across all three races are worth paying attention to. In dirt sprints like these, early speed at Hawthorne has been a consistent factor, so horses that can control the tempo or sit just off a contested pace are well-positioned to close it out.

Sharp Attack (Race 1, morning line 9/5, TrackWiz rating 88.83) and Blazing Affair (Race 3, ML 7/5, rating 89.42) headline the free picks, with Blazing Affair carrying our highest rating among the free races — that 89.42 stands out as the best number on the free side of the card. In between, Lower Broadway at 3/1 in the maiden claimer is the kind of overlaid price we like to flag early for multi-race wager builders.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

9:18 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

Some of It stands out as a clear class horse by the TrackWiz numbers in a mile-and-70 dirt claiming route, but She Be Sheehan's 2/1 morning line keeps this from being a total walkover.

win5Some of ItML 5/2

Some of It tops this field with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — more than 16 points clear of the next-best horse — and goes at a fair 5/2 on the morning line. Alexander Bendezu takes the mount for trainer Gabe Retana, and an avg speed figure of 53 leads the field at this distance. Route races on dirt often favor horses with the best sustained pace figures, and Some of It checks that box convincingly. This is the race of the night for a confident single play.

place6She Be SheehanML 2/1

She Be Sheehan gets the 2/1 chalk price with Frank Reyes aboard for trainer Dino DiZeo — the same DiZeo barn that saddled Sharp Attack in Race 1. The 71.23 TrackWiz rating is second-best in the field, and while the 10% career win rate isn't inspiring, this horse's rating suggests she's been close enough to cash regularly. In a route with no obvious pace pressure, she could stalk and run down tired horses for the place.

show1LunarchyML 4/1

Lunarchy opens at 4/1 with a 64.86 TrackWiz rating and draws the rail, which can be an asset in a longer route if the horse breaks cleanly. Trainer Pedro J. Flores sends out Emmanuel Giles, and while the 8% career win rate is modest, that avg speed figure of 52 puts Lunarchy right in the mix with several others in this field. As a hedge in trifecta tickets, the 4/1 price makes Lunarchy worth including.

Race 5

9:50 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

This five-furlong turf sprint is the best race of the night — three horses rated above 84 in a loaded allowance optional claiming field, and a trainer who doubles up with two starters.

win1Monsieur CandyML 8/5

Monsieur Candy tops the TrackWiz ratings at 89.12 and is the 8/5 morning-line favorite — and given the quality of this field, that price looks fair rather than short. Orlando Mojica rides for trainer Larry Rivelli, who also has Murdock in this race, suggesting serious confidence in the barn's turf form. The avg speed figure of 58 leads the entire field, and a 20% career win rate at the allowance level shows this horse knows how to close the deal. Hard to get away from.

place3Sine Qua NonML 5/2

Sine Qua Non is the legitimate threat at 5/2 — an 87.81 TrackWiz rating and an avg speed figure of 58 ties Monsieur Candy for the field's best. Trainer James P. DiVito throws Olaf Hernandez on this one and also has Eli's Promise in the race. A 30% career win rate is excellent at any level, and if Monsieur Candy faces any traffic or pace trouble on the turf, Sine Qua Non has the raw ability to beat her.

show4Wildwood SicilianML 9/2

Wildwood Sicilian slots in third on the TrackWiz ratings at 84.29 and opens at 9/2 — providing a bit of value for players looking to round out exactas and trifectas. Alexander Bendezu gets the call for trainer Scott Becker, and a 25% career win rate with an avg speed figure of 56 shows solid turf ability. In a race this competitive, the fifth-furlong turf sprint will likely come down to positioning, and Wildwood Sicilian's profile fits the surface.

Race 6

10:20 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Spirit to Inspire and Fasttimesatmidnite look like a clear two-horse top tier in a six-furlong dirt claiming sprint, with the rest of the field sporting thin win percentages and lower ratings.

win5Spirit to InspireML 5/2

Spirit to Inspire leads all horses with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating and goes at a fair 5/2 on the morning line. Olaf Hernandez rides for trainer Brian Cook, and an avg speed figure of 54 edges most of the competition. The 11% career win rate is the main area of pause — this horse has left some wins on the table — but the rating premium here is significant enough to trust at six furlongs. Our top selection on this race.

place3FasttimesatmidniteML 7/2

Fasttimesatmidnite at 7/2 is the most interesting horse on this card for exacta players — an 82.60 TrackWiz rating with Alexander Bendezu up for Scott Becker, a barn that showed up strong in Race 7 as well. The 8% career win rate might look modest, but paired with an avg speed figure of 53 that's competitive in this field, this horse can be expected to fire a decent effort and land on the board.

show6Reach'nforrainbowsML 9/5

Reach'nforrainbows draws the 9/5 public favorite role despite ranking third in TrackWiz ratings at 68.0 — a full 20 points below Spirit to Inspire. That said, Julio E. Felix rides for trainer Armando Hernandez, and a 25% career win rate is the best of any horse below the top two. If the favorite is overbet, the show pool could offer weak value — but Reach'nforrainbows is a legitimate contender to hit the board.

Race 7

10:50 PM EDT

Allowance · 5 fur · Turf

A wide-open five-furlong turf allowance with eight runners and no clear dominant speed — Zee tops the ratings but carries a blank career record, making this one of the trickier puzzles on the card.

win4ZeeML 5/2

Zee is our top pick despite an unusual profile — a 87.81 TrackWiz rating that tops this competitive eight-horse allowance field, yet no career wins recorded to date. That combination suggests a horse that's been knocking at the door and has the raw figures to break through. Julio E. Felix gets the mount for trainer Michele Boyce, and an avg speed figure of 55 matches the field's best. Five furlongs on turf can produce explosive results for a horse with this kind of underlying ability.

place7ShezthefactorML 7/2

Shezthefactor is a sneaky play at 7/2 — a TrackWiz rating of 77.91 is third-best in the field, and Frank Reyes rides for trainer Elias Lopez. The 10% career win rate is modest, but that avg speed figure of 54 is solid for a five-furlong turf sprint, and horses that run consistently in the 77-78 rating range tend to be reliable exacta players. This is a horse that doesn't win a lot but rarely runs a bad race.

show6FondreML 6/1

Fondre at 6/1 offers genuine value — a TrackWiz rating of 77.87 (effectively a dead heat with Shezthefactor in the ratings) and a 17% career win rate that's solid for an allowance. Luis H. Colon gets the mount for trainer David R. Reid. In an eight-horse turf field where pace scenarios can get complicated, Fondre's profile as a possible closer fits the surface perfectly, and the price makes her a strong trifecta inclusion.

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Today's best free play is Blazing Affair in Race 3, carrying the top TrackWiz rating on the free side of the card at 89.42. Sharp Attack in the opener and Lower Broadway in Race 2 round out the free slate nicely. For the full card — including pace projections on the turf sprints, a structured Pick 4 ticket, and our premium ratings for Races 4 through 7 — subscribers have everything they need waiting inside. Good luck at Hawthorne today.

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