A force at Fairmount for several years now, trainer Scott Becker has found his stride on the northern circuit within the last year. He won the training title at Hawthorne last fall, and stands on the precipice of taking the spring title when the meet ends tomorrow.
Four weeks ago, his horses swept the exactas in both sprint stakes for older horses, the Robert S. Molaro Handicap and the Third Chance Handicap. This week, he had two horses in each of the stakes races, the Milwaukee Avenue Handicap and the Peach of It Handicap. Matching his banner day from last month would be a tough order…but came very close. Becker won both races, and claimed the exacta in one of them.
Head on over to Picks and Ponderings, catch up on the stakes racing from Hawthorne’s nighttime card, and see what the connections of the top horses had to say!
Blinkers Off 
I am sorry to see Hawthorne closed until October, but I wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed your commentaries.
I did not realize until I checked out one of your other postings that you and your friends were at a table opposite myself and a friend in the Gold Cup Room on the day of the Illinois Derby.
thank you — i’m glad you’ve enjoyed my commentary about racing here!
i’m bummed about the Hawthorne season being over, too, as it’s my favourite track to go to. however, i will be at Arlington this summer, to follow the live local racing. if you’re ever out there, say hi!