USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

The Meadows Racetrack and Casino Race 4 (Pick 4)
Date: 8/13/2018 Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $7,500

Ticket: 5,7/8/4/2,3,4,8 – Cost: $8.00 (1.00 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – Yesterday we went two-for-four nailing down the two chalks in the middle legs.  We were bookended by two long bombers, one of which paid $62.00 to win.  The winning Pick 4 of 1/4/3/1 returned $593.95.

Breakdown:

Race 4: #5 WALLEYWALLEYINFREE is making his first pari-mutuel start for trainer Chris Ryder and boy has he made a splash already.  After just about being distanced in a two-year-old qualifier two starts back they did some work on him and he fired back with a dominating performance a couple weeks later.  Driver change to Tony Hall, look for some value here.  #7 LYONS NIGHT HAWK drops in class this week and Tetrick is back in to drive.  He has the speed to leave the gait.

Race 5: #8 COLOSSAL gets a tough draw this week, but looks like he towers over this field for trainer Ron Burke.  He is the quickest of them all and although he won’t be a long shot, he will help you spread in other legs.

Race 6: #4 HOCKEY HANOVER rallied from off the pace on Hambletonian Day to just miss against eligibles and the race was not easy for him from post 11.  He had to come three=wide in that race, I believe against easier he will be tough to beat.

Race 7: #2 TSM ROGER HUSTONT is one of the more consistent horses in the group today and with some major post improvement that could make him a valuable contender from the inside.  When he is on the lead he is tough to catch, I have a feeling he will BE THERE in the end.  #3 FOREVERNALWAYS is another that gets some post relief today.  Merriman picks up the lines for the first time on this gelding who is looking to improve.  #4 MANSOME has won three of his last five starts all of them being on or near the lead.  Expect him to be battling early with TSM ROGER HOUSTONT.  #8 AIR QUOTES HANOVER didn’t race all that well last week, going to throw that effort out as Brian Zendt drove instead of the normal Dave Palone.  Will be a tough journey from the outside, but definitely look for him to be close.