USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Meadows Racetrack and Casino Race 9 (Pick 5)
Date: 7/16/2018  Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $5,000

Ticket: 2,4,7/2,4,5,8/4,8/4/2,4,6 – Cost: $36.00 (.50 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – We went three-for-four in the pick four yesterday as mostly favorites scored during the action.  In the leg we missed, our selection #2 EVETTY made a break in stride while trying to close from off the pace.  The official order of finish for the Pick 4 was 7/3/3/2 and paid $50.85.

Breakdown:

Race 9: Features a very nice group of two-year-old colt trotters and these races normally present a lot of value.  #2 OUT IN THE HALL made his first pari-mutuel start last week with Aaron in the bike and he glided around the track finishing fifth missing by seven lengths.  His final time is worth note and makes him a contender against these. #4 HEAVENSDOR HANOVER made a break in stride last week at the start when trying a leave attempt.  Tonight he gets a driver change to Goodell, he likes to be close to the lead and I have a feeling he will be somewhere on top of the pace.  #7 AMADOR was a good fourth against the upper-level company last time out from mid-pack and he just never fired.  He gets a tough draw, but the driver change to Palone definitely should help.

Race 10: #2 DISYASEEZMEDOIT gets a driver change to Benhauer who won with this gelding two starts back.  This is another gelding taking a step back in class and he likes to be up on the pace and close.  #4 STAR CAVIAR adds hopple for the second time after starting his career with a breaking issue.  The hopples seemed to help last week and that helps me to give him the nod.  #5 HUDSON VALLEY is the second racing foal out of Hot Springs and is making his first career start against this group.  His first qualifier at Northfield Park wasn’t anything to write home about, but getting Aaron here with the addition of hopples could help him score.  #8 FAITHFULANDTRUE draws tough this week but has scored from an outside post before.  Look for him to be sniffing around the prize late.

Race 11: #4 PLAYERSRUNNINGSTAR is one of the more consistent horses in the field but has also been hit or miss as of late.  He finally gets a good draw towards the inside and looks like he may try to steal one on the front end at big odds.  #8 AIR QUOTES HANOVER won three-straight before being defeated last week.  Steps back in class and could handle these.

Race 12: #4 CHIPARIFFIC got rough trip last week and tired late.  He doesn’t have a lot of early speed, but he does like to come from off the pace.  Adds Palone back again this week.

Race 13: #2 FULL SURGE could possibly be the upset of the Pick 5 sequence depending on how he transitions from three to four.  He was second in the Ohio Sire Stakes last season and his qualifier says he is ready to roll. #4 DRIFT AWAY has a good amount of early speed and knows how to use it.  She got stung to the first quarter last week and then tired in the stretch, look for her to be closer.  #6 WHAT A RUSH has won three of his last four starts this year and he looks like the one to beat.