USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Running Aces Race 8 (Pick 4)
Date: 6/19/2018  Carryover: $0   Guarantee: $7,500

Ticket: 4,5,8/2,7/2/2,3,8 – Cost: $9.00 (.50 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – Yesterday we went 2 of 4, but one of our plays in Race 6 returned 24.60 to win as Tony Hall guided Smart Balance to victory.  The official Pick 4 was 5-5-3-3 and returned $13,868.20.

Breakdown:

Race 8: #4 DONTDOUBTTHELAKERS came in from Cal Expo on a tear winning his first start and finishing second two starts later.  He is the lone speed in the race, he could get loose on the lead and cruise home.  #5 HOWTOTRAINURDRAGON was another Cal Expo invader who took to the surface at Running Aces very well.  He scored two wins before coming to Aces both with Lemoyne Svendsen in the bike, key player here.  #8 WHATCHYASTARINAT is a speedy gelding, but isn’t one that likes to go to the front.  Trying him against much easier company than he has faced recently to start the year.

Race 9: #2 TWOMICKEYTRIP is coming off a very short layoff in a race where he raced towards the front of the pack and then tired late.  The last time he raced off a short layoff, he just missed at 4-1, look for a little bit of value to spice things up here.  #7 LIL ORPHAN ELMER drops out of the Open after a disappointing effort last out.  He gets a tough draw tonight, but faces company that he has defeated before; tonight should be no different.

Race 10: #2 CUZ I’M HAPPY has been very successful since coming to Running Aces, scoring two victories in three starts.  While he doesn’t have a lot of speed, he is a versatile gelding who likes to come from mid-pack.  His closing kick and final times are also not something to ignore.

Race 11: #2 MOONSHINENMONKEYS drops down to face easier conditioned company after a tough effort last week.  Interestingly enough, she has dead-heated two weeks in a row for different finishing spots.  Tonight he gets Rick Magee back in the sulky who seems to get along well with her.  #3 SWINGING AGAIN gets the services once again of James Yoder who has been her consistent driver.  She was third in the Minnesota Championship last season and looks like she could get back into form this week.  She closed gamely in her last start which was a good tightener.  #8 AMERICAN DANCER adds Lasix for the first time and drops in class.  The post is a little tough, but she knows how to get to the front and win, watch out for her late.