USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Hoosier Park Racing and Casino Race 9 (Pick 5)
Date: 6/14/2018  Carryover: $30,478.87   Guarantee: $75,000

Ticket: 3,5,6,7/5,6,8/2/3,6/1,2 – Cost: $60.00 (.50 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – Dave Palone knocked us out in the first leg with a 30/1 shot to kick off the Pick 5.  We gave out the $24.20 winner in Race 12 with Whambamthankumaam scoring for trainer/driver Greg Wright Jr.  He came from off the pace and drew off to win by two lengths.  The official finish in the Pick 5 was 3/7/1/9/1.

Breakdown:

Race 9: #3 JIMS PERFECT TEN is one of only a couple horses who have speed and will probably be close to the pace.  Last week he tired late in the stretch after making a bid.  He drops in class and gets Sam Widger back in the bike who has had a good amount of success with him before.  #5 LARRY KARR makes his first start as a three-year-old after an impressive qualifier on June 9.  He has a good amount of back class and has faced some of harness racing’s toughest as a two-year-old.  #6 FIRE LIGHT has shown some maturation since beginning his three-year-old season showing a big ability to pass horses.  Tonight he draws a little tough, but he has a lot of versatility to close or show speed from out here.  One to watch.  #7 DO WORK SON takes a big drop in class tonight for trainer Ron Burke and also adds Lasix for the first time.  He is a speedy gelding by Always A Virgin who shows a good amount of promise against this class.

Race 10: #5 KATIE CAN COOK is the third racing foal out of Real Lady Katie.  She has been qualifying in a time that is competitive to those around her.  She draws well and should be closing late in the trip.  #6 FADE TO GOLD really looked sharp two starts back in the series at Hoosier Park.  She showed some speed in that effort, got the perfect trip and closed gamely.  The pairing with Andy Shetler could also play to her advantage.  #8 INDIAN CREEK KYLA is one of the more consistent horses in the group tonight.  Throw out the last start that was raced over a sloppy track.  She is a hard closer that likes to pass horses, which is something I like to see from younger horses.

Race 11: #2 MEADOW BROOK GRACE appears to be the single at a short price here.  She was a strong winner against Indiana Sire Stakes competition and was the two-year-old Super Final champion last year.  If she continues the progress she has shown already, she will be tough to beat.

Race 12: #3 ALLROCK races with Lasix for the second time for trainer Jamie Macomber.  He doesn’t have a lot of speed, but he has shown some ability to close from off the pace and pass horses.  #6 TOWNLINE ALL GOOD takes a big drop in class tonight after facing some tough competition at the sire stakes level.  I believe he will be close to the pace and trying to fire late in the mile.

Race 13: #1 J S PEYTON won decisively with broken equipment last week for trainer Jack Myers after not making the final.  He faces some of the same foes that he faced in his elimination, but I think the rail will play to his advantage.  #2 ADMIRAL DEWEY has some breaking issues, but when he stays flat he is very tough to beat.  Driver change to Trace Tetrick makes him a valid contender.