USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Hawthorne Race Course Race 6 (Pick 4)
Date: 9/24/2018 Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $10,000

Ticket: 2,3/1,4,6,9/4,5,6/1,8– Cost: $24.00 (1.00 cent base)

Yesterday’s Recap – Yesterday we went two-for-four and just missed in the other two legs.  Tonight is their closing night and there could be a good amount of value.  Last night’s pick 4 of 4/2/4,10/3 returned a healthy $129.20.

Breakdown:

Race 6: #2 MY KIND OF TERROR gets a good draw this week and Brandon Bates back in the sulky after a couple of tough efforts at Hoosier.  She returns to a track she seems to get over better and looks to shine through tonight.  #3 VIRGIN SPECIAL closed very strongly from off the pace last week and made up a lot of ground to do so.  She the speediest horse, but is one who regularly has a big final quarter.

Race 7: #1 WHO DO YOU LIKE draws the inside this week after being parked to the quarter last week.  He draws well again this week and looks to improve off of that effort.  #4 CANTHELPBUTWIN has been known to race well from inside posts and he has a little bit of speed that makes him extremely dangerous.  Looking for more this week.  #6 R DUNESHINE could very well be the pace-setter this week from a mid-pack post position.  He has a good amount of early speed and when he makes the top he doesn’t normally get passed.  #9 FOX VALLEY CUPID has won two of his last three starts against this class but from inside posts.  Tonight the draw was not the kindest to him, but he could be the value play of this race.

Race 8: #4 DUNE MIGHT gets a good draw for just the second time in four starts.  He doesn’t have a lot of early speed but is one that can close from off the pace.  I expect Warren will be closer this week from an inside post.  #5 EDDIE BRUSH is another gelding who gets some decent post help this week.  He is also another gelding who may be coming from off the pace, definitely worth a play.  #6 THEBESTMANICANBE is an interesting play from here after a couple of good starts at the fair.  If he can transfer that form to the big track against a little tougher company he could be the value this sequence needs.

Race 9: #1 CRUISER draws the rail off a game-winning effort against the easier company last week.  He handled that field with disdain, I expect more from him this week.  #8 MAJOR ATTRIBUTE may be a bigger priced favorite this week, but that is because he is extremely consistent.  Post eight may be tough, but his closing kick is not one to ignore.