USTA Play of the Day – 7/9/2018
USTA Play of the Day
by Michael Carter
The Meadows Racetrack and Casino Race 9 (Pick 5)
Date: 7/9/2018 Carryover: $2,223.18 Guarantee: $10,000
Ticket: 2,5/1/1,2,7/6,8/1,6,7– Cost: $18.00 (.50 base)
Yesterday’s Recap – The three-of-four streak continues, however, we had two winners that paid more than $10.00 during the sequence. The best-priced horse ($21.00) was BIG BAD MAXINE in the opening leg who sat back off the pace and paced away from the field. Look out for her next time out. The Pick 4 of 7/7/6/4 returned $349.10
Breakdown:
Race 9: #2 MANHATTAN MISS has had some road trouble over the last couple of starts with two breaks thrown into the mix. She drops down in class to face cheaper and should be able to handle it this week; driver change to Wilder. #5 OUT OF LUCK didn’t get the best of trips from post eight last week. She made a first over bid and then couldn’t keep up with the field. I think she may be better this week.
Race 10: #1 CANTAB ED looked extremely impressive in his first start for trainer Michael Palone. He sat back patiently off the pace and fired home late to draw off by 2 ¼ lengths. If he repeats his last start, he will be the one to beat.
Race 11: #1 LAUREL’S LEA has been plagued with some tough posts as of late, but the class drop and post-improvement could play to her advantage. She also gets a driver change back to Charlino this week. She isn’t the speediest mare, but she knows how to be close to the pace. #2 ROCKIN SONGBIRD is another class dropper that is hoping to improve off a couple of tough trips against better company. #7 PC’S CANDY gets a driver change back to Goodell this week after a game effort last week. She’s back in against this class today and could play spoiler to the others.
Race 12: #6 BREEDLOVE has gotten some tough draws on the outside, but today he gets a driver change (Pantaleano) with hopples for the second time. He has a good amount of closing kick, look for him to be around late. #8 OBEE could play spoiler against this group for trainer William Provost. He has been known to sneak onto the ticket from an outside post before and, against this group, he could shock at big odds.
Race 13: #1 SAVE THE SHARK dropped last week hoping for a good effort and just didn’t have it against this group. Tonight he draws the rail again after what appeared to be a tightener; look for him to be around late in the trip. #6 DISORDER picks up Palone again this week after a very tough effort against tougher last out. He draws decently and has enough closing speed to be on the ticket. #7 VALIANT IVY has a good amount of speed to contend with and that is what makes him so dangerous. He draws tough, but that is not normally an issue here.