USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

The Meadows Racetrack Race 4 (Pick 4)
Date: 6/18/2018  Carryover: $0   Guarantee: $7,500

Ticket: 3,4,5/7/1,3,6,9/2,5,9 – Cost: $18.00 (.50 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – We had a good amount of luck yesterday in the first two legs, while we finished second and third respectively in the last two legs.  James Yoder guided home Mr. Ranger in race 8 to the tune of $18.80 which was one of the bigger scores of the night.  In the featured Open Pace, our selection To The Limit (#8) tried to make a last-to-first move and just missed at 23-1.  The Pick 4 was 6/8/4/9 and paid $366.55.

Breakdown:

Race 4: #3 MEETMEINTHEHALLWAY is making his second career start for trainer Hoye Rickert and is coming off a very strong effort last week.  The line doesn’t do this gelding justice as he made up 3 ¾ lengths in the stretch after sitting back off the pace for most of the race.  Tonight he draws the same post and, if he can be closer to the pace, he could strike at decent odds.  #4 MATTER OF LINDY adds Lasix for the first time today after finishing a decent third last week.  Since being scratched sick, he has had a chance to get a couple tighteners in.  Look for him to be close.  #5 CASH DELIVERY takes a step up in class and gets a driver change to Dave Palone.  He has been stuck on the outside at Northfield and gets a little bit of post help.

Race 5: #7 WILLIE B WORTHY has been ultra-consistent over the past couple of weeks hitting the board in four of his last five starts.  He has some early speed, but has proven he can come from off the pace and hang with horses that are going pretty quick on the front end.  This is a tough class, but I believe he can play ball with these.

Race 6: #1 BEACHY DREAMER could drop and pop against easier company this week.  She came first over last week and just missed late in the stretch over an off track.  Look for her to be in the mix late and at decent odds.  #3 SMART BALANCE could light up the Pick 4 in a big way if her morning line holds true.  She adds Lasix, gets a driver change to Tony Hall and takes a step down in class. At the very least she is worth a flat wager.  #6 CALL ME COWGIRL is another class dropper that could present some major value to the Pick 4.  Eric Goodell gets along well with this mare and that could spell the difference for her tonight.  #9 REALISTIC is one of the more consistent mares in the group this week, but her post could make things a little difficult.

Race 7: #2 ENVY HANOVER is coming off two second-place efforts against this class, but she was closing hard in both.  Tonight she draws well again and I expect her to be in a better striking spot.  #5 GREAT KATE drops in class and gets a driver change to Aaron Merriman this week.  She hasn’t been the same since being scratched sick in April, but the change of location could give her the confidence she needs.  #9 DE LA CRÈME has won two of his last three and has handled jumps in class with disdain.  He draws tough towards the outside, but that has never hampered him before.