USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

The Meadows Racetrack and Casino Race 9 (Pick 5)
Date: 7/9/2018  Carryover: $12,708.18   Guarantee: $40,000

Ticket: 2,3,5/3,6/3,5,6,9/2,4,5,9/2,7– Cost: $96.00 (.50 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – We only had one winner yesterday during the Pick 5 sequence which carried over again today after not being hit yesterday.  The Pick 5 was 3,6/7/7/5/5 and paid $268.80.

Breakdown:

Race 9: #2 CODIAS ON THE MOVE comes in from Pocono this week and gets a big driver change to Aaron Merriman.  He has made two breaks in three starts, but facing easier and a draw to the inside could help propel him to victory.  #3 KELLIE’S MVP is one of the more consistent horses in the field, and is the probable pace-setter.  She has a good amount of speed and when she is close she doesn’t miss.  #5 RIPPED UP closed from off the pace last week and drew off to win easily in the stretch.  She faces this group again from a very good post and should not be overlooked.

Race 10: #3 KICK A LOT was parked to the first quarter last week, then tried to come to the outside turning for home and stalled badly in the stretch.  Today he gets the services of Merriman and should improve off of that effort.  #6 DONTGETINHISWAY went to the lead against this group last week and tired at the end of the mile.  He has a good amount of speed and if Palone can ration out the fractions, he should have no issues.

Race 11: #3 KITN KITN comes in from Harrington and is looking for some success on the bigger track.  He had a little bit of a rough go of things on the smaller track getting stuck on the outside, look for something more this week.  #5 BLUEBIRD CHERRY is another horse that has been plagued with some tough draws as of late.  She draws well this week and has a big chance to strike at a price.  #6 U TURN HANOVER has been racing decently against this group since dropping in class.  Post improvement could be the factor here.  #9 FLAMING BEACH likes to be close to the pace and has a big ability to leave even from the outside.  Consider before leaving off your ticket.

Race 12: #2 HURRICANE CALLEIGH could provide some major value to the Pick 5 this week with a good start post.  She didn’t leave last week which is different for her style of racing, but if she comes back to form she could possibly be tough.  #4 UBETTORBETURLIFE is back from Scioto after two difficult efforts.  Her last start at The Meadows was against a tougher company, look for her to be around.  #5 PA’S CORN SQUEEZIN went on a little bit of a winning streak and since then hasn’t shown a whole lot of muster.  She picks back up with Palone this week and looks to improve off of those efforts.  #9 LIBBY’S IDEA is a very consistent mare who has been racing well even from outside posts.  She put on a show winning at a good clip last year if she can return to that form she will be tough.

Race 13: #2 LADY DUDETTE had to deal with a good amount of outside posts before last week’s race and was struggling with them.  She bounced back last week to a good effort getting stopped some in the stretch but managed to hang with the leaders.  Wilder is back up this week and that makes her a contender.  #7 ULTRA VIOLET adds Lasix for the second time tonight after it appeared to help last week.  Palone is back and the controls and I expect her to be a part of the early pace scenario.