USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Meadowlands Racetrack Race 8 (Pick 4)
Date: 8/4/2018 Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $75,000

Ticket: 4,5,6,7/7,9/5,7,12/3,8,12 – Cost: $36.00 (.50 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – We had our first 0 for 4 night last night at The Meadowlands where it was a long shot kind of night.  The shorter of the prices came in Race 12 where Lone Wolf Terror struck paying $3.40.  The official Pick 4 was 1/10/8/3 and paid $?6,128.50.

Breakdown:

Race 8: ***HEAT 1 Hambletonian*** Kicks off a wide-open Pick 4 sequence that could bring some major value.  #4 LAWMAKER should not be ignored this week.  Two weeks ago at Harrah’s, he made a break and in talking with Andrew Harris and Anthony MacDonald that was very uncharacteristic for him.  It should be noted that he beat older horses last week handily.  I expect him to continue to have success with David Miller in the sulky.  #5 WOLFGANG is undefeated in his three-year-old season and so far is having a monstrous year.  The only thing that concerns me about him is how lightly raced he is this year.  If he continues his form, he could strike at low odds.  #6 CRYSTAL FASHION could be the sleeper to the whole Hambletonian.  He took advantage of a wicked pace scenario in the Beal at Pocono and after sitting a perfect pocket ride came flying late to draw off to win easily.  Today he draws tough, but his big thundering kick will have him closing late.  #7 ATLANTA is the lone filly in the group, but again it is hard to disagree with perfection.  She has been racing mostly on the NY Sire Stakes circuit, but she handily defeated Plunge Blue Chip (Hambletonian Oaks) in a time of 1:50.3 which could win this race.

Race 9: ***HEAT 2 Hambletonian*** #7 TACTICAL LANDING has won three of his last four starts all against older horses.  That should not be ignored because for a three-year-old to defeat even four-year-old horses is a pretty hefty task.  He is a speedy colt who will be close to the pace.  #9 SIX PACK is going to be the prohibitive favorite against this group today.  He is another speedy gelding and the mile in the Stanley Dancer really jumps off the page at me.  Look for him to be up towards the lead and could be setting some steamrolling fractions.  He has proven before that he can hang on the outside. 

Race 10: ***Hambletonian Eligibles*** #5 CRUISING IN STYLE has been knocking on the door for thestable.ca in his last couple of starts against NY Sire Stakes company.  Today he draws well and faces just a hair easier company, I’m thinking he will be on the engine early to score.  #7 SCIROCCO ROB has won three of his last four starts including a win in the Arden Downs last weekend at The Meadows.  Two starts back he defeated PA Sire Stakes company going to the lead just had enough in the tank to win.  With a bigger field, the only question here is post position.  #12 HELPISONTHEWAY has won two of his last three against stakes caliber company.  Post twelve should not be that big of a factor as he is a colt who likes to come from off the pace. 

Race 11: ***SAM McKEE MEMORIAL*** #3 ALL BETS OFF is another that has been knocking on the door and I continue to say that with a better trip he will be the one to smash one day.  Today is the day for him.  On Meadowlands Pace night he got locked in and had a ton of horse in the stretch and just couldn’t shake free.  Today is the day.  #8 MISO FAST just missed in the Graduate final on July 7 against a very good group.  He draws well this week and has been staying fresh with qualifiers mixed into his races.  He is a lightly raced pari-mutuel horse that has been conditioning very well.  #12 MCWICKED has only missed the board once in 2018, the question today is the post position.  He has a big closing kick and he showed that last week coming home in 25.0 to win at Woodbine Mohawk Park.  Look for him to be on the scene late.