USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Hawthorne Race Course Race 8 (Pick 4)
Date: 8/12/2018  Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $30,000

Ticket: – 4,8,9/4,8/3,7/2,9 Cost: $12.00 (.50 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – Yesterday, we went four-for-five in the Pick 5 at Batavia with our single in leg two finishing third.  It was a sequence that pretty much followed the form and with the carryover brought a good amount of new money to help boost the payoff.  The combo of 5/3/3/3/2 returned a healthy $268.00.

Breakdown:

Race 8: #4 WISHIN IWAS RICH dropped to this class last week and the program line doesn’t do her a whole lot of justice.  Making up 10 lengths in the first quarter on a first over grind is no easy task, she was only beaten three in the end.  If she can get into a better striking spot early look for her to be around.  #8 FOX VALLEY MAYA has a good amount of early speed, but as of late has had a case of seconditis.  She tends to be close to the pace and has an ability to pass horses when she strikes it’s going to be at a price.  #9 DON’T FORGET is dropping in class to face easier company after a couple of tough efforts.  This filly knows how to win, she just needs to be in the right spot to do it. 

Race 9: #4 MOCKING ROBIN has been ultra-consistent as of late and the start last week was very impressive.  She made up a lot of ground in a hurry coming for home to just miss, look for her to be around again.  #8 MODEL won from post seven last week with Travis Seekman in the bike.  I expect she will be coming from off the pace again tonight.

Race 10: #3 SHOOTING STRAIGHT made up a lot of ground in the stretch last week to draw off and win easily.  Gets a big driver change to Leonard which can only help this gelding continue to improve.  #7 FOX VALLEY HANGTEN was a winner last week after making a middle move and cruising to the lead.  Juan Franco chose off #3 here which could be a telling sign. 

Race 11: #2 EZPAY picks up the services of Brandon Bates after some tough efforts against tougher company.  Class drop and post-improvement also make a big difference here.  These could all spell victory for this tough filly.  #9 DANCI DAISY was stretched to the first quarter last week and then came from off the pace to win easily against this group.  I expect her to be around at big odds this week.