Let’s hear it for the girls! Mares took on the boys yesterday and did the fairer sex proud. I should never have doubted Zenyatta, but I let all the naysayers (or should I say neighsayers) get the best of me – plus I gave in to the temptation of the devilish 12/1 ML on Richard’s Kid. And even though I didn’t use her as my next best bet, I sure was cheering her home! Goldikova came from behind and defended her title with an amazing win and Gotta Have Her finished second to California Flag, but she still managed to score us some money as my Value Bet. The post position got the better of my boy Lookin’ at Lucky, but he turned in a solid performance and finished a close second in spite of it.

That was one heckuva Breeders Cup – can’t wait for next year at my Old Kentucky Home! Now it’s time to head east and get back the business of winning in Chitown. Here are some Hawthorne picks for you.

Your BEST BET is 4 SLEETCALLING in RACE 5 (9/2 ML). Filly sure took a shine to the Hawthorne dirt in her last, winning easily. This is her first time against winners, but she looks up to the challenge. There’s a lot of early speed in this race, but she looks to be the speediest – if she breaks well, they might not be able to catch her.

Your NEXT BEST BET is 3 A RENOIR in RACE 2 (4/1 ML). She’s had a lot of chances, but she has been knocking on the door in her last two here. She performed pretty well in her turf routes against tougher and is bred to like the turn back in distance today. Barn is having a great meet and she gets hot Razo in the irons. Today may finally be graduation day.

Your VALUE BET is WIN/PLACE/SHOW on 4 CACTUS TOWN in RACE 1 (8/1 ML). This guy was really smoking here last spring with 2 consecutive wins and the best Beyers in this field. But then came the dismal string of performances at Arlington. I’m going to blame it on the Poly and hope that he’ll wake up back on the dirt. He’s been working regularly, if not spectacularly, and his trainer knows how to win off the layoff. May be hard to catch in here.

Lady Luck