USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Running Aces Casino and Racetrack Race 7 (Pick 4)
Date: 7/22/2018  Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $10,000

Ticket: 3,6,10/ALL (9)/4,5/1,9 – Cost: $54.00 (.50 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – It was bombs away during the Pick 5 at Saratoga on Saturday night.  We covered the opening leg with Evenin Of Pleasure winning the 2018 Joe Gerrity Memorial, then a 47/1 bomb struck in leg two knocking us out.  We went three-for-five and the official Pick 5 was 1/4/7/5/5 and paid $1,340.70.

Breakdown:

Race 7: #3 NUCLEAR DRAGON looked very sharp in the elimination for the Dan Patch and came right back in the Preview from a tough post and scored easily.  Husted picks up the mount again and that gives this gelding a very big opportunity.  #6 NINE WAYS gets Sam Widger in the bike this week after two game efforts against the elimination group and then right back for the preview.  He has a big closing kick and that could make him dangerous this week.  #10 TRASHYTONGUETALKER has been racing exceptionally well as of late and is going to be very tough even from post 10.  The biggest concern for him post wise is that he has speed, but two starts back he showed he could make up a lot of ground late.

Race 8: I pushed the ALL button in Race 8 as it is probably the toughest race in the sequence and with it being a maiden race anything can happen.  This is where we will look for a little bit of a price.  My top pick in the race is #5 STONEYCREEKS HOPE she looked good against this group for the first time last week at big odds.  There wasn’t much of a pace that night on a fast track, but she got the trip and could get the same kind of ride today.

Race 9: #4 CENALTA POWER picks up the services of Sam Widger this week giving this gelding a very big driver change off a game effort last week.  He has a good amount of early speed and I expect him to be on the front end.  #5 BESTINTHEBUSINESS has been draw dead as of late and it has not helped him at all.  The draw was very kind to him tonight and the big class relief gives him a big chance.

Race 10: #1 CENALTA DIAMOND is one of the more consistent horses in the field this week, she has a good amount of early speed to contend with and should show up against these.  #9 ALWAYSALITTLEMORE has won two of her last three starts both from the inside.  She draws tough tonight, but I expect her to be in the mix.