USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

The Meadows Racetrack and Casino Race 9 (Pick 5)
Date: 7/30/2018 Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $5,000

Ticket: 1,3/1/4,6,9/1,8/2 – Cost: $6.00 (.50 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – Yesterday, we went two-for-four missing the first two legs on the Pick 4, finishing second in the first leg and third in the second leg.  The two bombs of the sequence in Race 11 and 12 we did have, however.  The official Pick 4 was 8/5/9/7 and paid $157.25.

Breakdown:

Race 9: #1 CLASSIC BANKER drops down to a class that he has been pretty successful against before.  Look for some improvement this week, he has a good amount of front-end speed and he has a good amount of heart coming down the lane.  #3 CHEFF LEE got the perfect trip last week from post five where he sat the two hole and came first over late to cruise to an easy win.  I expect him to be tough against these tonight.

Race 10: #1 CATCH ALL could provide value to the Pick 5 or he could be the biggest favorite, but based off of the morning line I am going to play him like he will be value.  Last week he didn’t get the best of trips against the tougher company, look for improvement tonight with another drop in class.

Race 11: #4 ST LADS FLIRT gets a driver change back to Palone who gets along very well with this gelding.  Two starts back he was sent to the front and just missed at the wire.  Look for him to be closer to the pace this week.  #6 MYSTERY ISLAND is one of the more consistent horses in the field and has won three of his last five races.  He gets a very good post position tonight, and it is one that could allow him to be close to the pace.  #9 BLISSFUL VOYAGE gets stuck on the outside against this week, but the amount of ground he made up in that start makes me wonder about him.  I think he has a chance to show up today.

Race 12: #1 CANTAB’S SONG draws the rail this week after a disappointing effort from this post last out.  She drops in class and could very well improve off of that effort.  #8 GOLD SAVAGE has won two straight against this class, one of them being from the outside.  He will most likely be close to the pace allowing him to be apart of the race late.

Race 13: #2 MANSOME has been very consistent as of late and has had to overcome some tough posts to win.  Goodell picks up the drive again this week and I would expect that the consistency from this gelding will continue.