USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment Race 7 (Pick 4)
Date: 10/12/2018 Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $50,000

Ticket: 2/5,6,8,9/2,6,11/3,5– Cost: $24.00 ($1.00 cent base)

Yesterday’s Recap – We got pretty close with our Hoosier Hi-5 ticket last night after having the winner returned $8.20.  We used #8 Hesacat for third and we were about a length off of that, but he is a horse I will for sure watch next week as he was parked the mile and came fighting on.  The Hoosier Hi-5 of 7/8/4/6/2 returned $371.66.

Breakdown:

Race 7: #2 THUNDER has only missed the board twice in his short career and has been facing some tough company throughout the NY Sire Stakes.  Gimpanzee may be the top two-year-old trotter in the country right now, but Thunder came right at him in the final and looked extremely sharp.  He is worthy of the single here.

Race 8: #5 LUCKY WEEKEND has won four of his last six starts and has been racing against the lower level Excelsior series in NY.  He went to Lexington last week and won easily against a decent group of horses.  He gets a good draw and a driver change to Zeron which could play to his favor.  #6 BATTENBERG was fourth in the International Stallion Stake at The Red Mile against Cantab Fashion and Green Manalishi S.  That is some very tough company to be going against.  He has the speed to be close to the pace and should be on or near the lead.  #8 SEVEN HILLS moves up in class this week after two very game efforts at Harrah’s Philadelphia.  He has won by a combined 11 lengths from outside draws and he is a monster closer who likes to make big moves going to the half.  #9 MEMO is a horse I have liked over the past couple of weeks at Lexington.  He has a little bit of speed and can pass horses, driver change to McCarthy could be the play here.

Race 9: #2 SOUTHWIND OZZI has a big closing foot that I really like to see out of young horses because it shows they can pass horses.  He draws well towards the inside and while he doesn’t normally flash speed look for him to be flying late.  #6 REiGNING DEO came up big in the New York Sire Stakes at Yonkers in his last start where he came from off the pace and drew off to win easily at big odds.  He shows up tonight looking to continue that success.  #11 MEYER ON FIRE has won seven of eleven this year so far in Illinois.  He has shown that he likes the big track and can pass horses as he likes to get into the mix early.  There is a little bit of speed to the inside which could allow him to get into a good striking spot.

Race 10: #3 OUR ELS DREAM N got the perfect trip last week and just could not get past the leader as a pretty big favorite.  She comes to the bigger track tonight and draws very well.  This is a very competitive and versatile mare who can come from off the pace or be close to the lead.  #5 DAENERYS HANOVER closed gamely last week with Vic Kirby in the bike only missing by a couple of lengths in the end.  She draws decently and adds Tetrick to the sulky which could make a difference here.