USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Batavia Downs Gaming Race 1 (Pick 5)
Date: 10/20/2018  Carryover: $2,970  Guarantee: $7,000

Ticket: 1,2/ALL(8)/2,3/3,5/3– Cost: $64.00 ($1.00 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – We didn’t hit the Pick 5 at Batavia yesterday going two-for-five, but no one else hit the wager either causing the whole pool to carry over for the second day.  We hit the ALL button in the right race yesterday scoring a $21.00 winner in the opener. 

Breakdown:

Race 1: We kick things off from the rail tonight with #1 HANDS OFF FRANK who has won three of his last four starts for trainer JD Perrin and is back in this class after a game win last out.  He has a good amount of early speed and should be the early pacesetter.  #2 MOTOR SHARK has won two of his last three starts since adding Morrill to the sulky, but last week made a really uncharacteristic break.  He draws well this week and deserves another chance.

Race 2: We used the ALL button in this very tough $4,000 claimer, but my top pick is #2 COBBLE BEACH who used to be an Open horse on the Western New York circuit.  He has the speed to get off the car and if his back class shines through watch out.

Race 3: #2 CHARMBRO ORBIT draws well this week after a couple of tough efforts from outside posts.  Morrill has done some awesome things with this gelding over the past couple of weeks and she has proven that she can handle this class.  #3 GO COLLECT N has looked really sharp over the past couple of weeks.  One thing about him is that he races well then bounces and so on.  If that trend continues this week, then the form says he should be on point.

Race 4: #3 WOODMERE FULLALIFE drops in class this week after some tough efforts from an outside post.  Tonight he draws the inside and while he doesn’t have a lot of speed, I suspect he will get a better trip tonight.  #5 TEMPSTER HANOVER came roaring from off the pace last week and just missed, I look for a much better trip tonight especially with not a lot of speed to his inside.

Race 5: #3 KEYSTONE KEEN is a versatile gelding who can pass horses and last week he proved that after he came rolling off the turn and just missed in the end from post eight.  Tonight he draws much better and should be in the mix tonight.