USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Delaware County Fair Race 13 (Pick 4)
Date: 9/18/2018  Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $15,000

Ticket: 1,5,8/4,5,8/4,6,7/4,6 Cost: $54.00 ($1.00 base)

Yesterday’s Recap –

Breakdown:

Race 13:   This is the toughest of the Ohio Breeders Championship races with the top three finishers of the Ohio Sire Stakes Finals at Scioto Downs.  #1 UNCLE BUCK  draws the rail tonight and while the lines don’t show it this horse has an ability to win.  He draws the rail on a half-mile track like Delaware and should at least be considered.  #5 PASS THE VAPE passed horses in the stretch last out, but I wasn’t overly happy with that performance on an off track.  I’m inclined to throw that start out even with a second place effort.  I have to think that Watiker is going to be on the gas early.  #8 TWO O B WONKENOBI has won four straight races going away, tonight the issue is going to be post eight.  He has the speed to get off the car, the question will be where will he crossover on the backstretch.

Race 14: #4 SHOCK THE NATION adds Gingras this week for the first time and while this gelding hasn’t been racing all that great, the driver change needs to at least be acknowledged.  If he is going to have a shot against this group he will need to do it from a spot that is close to the pace.  #5 OHIO PRINCE Is probably going to be the speed of the pace and will be up front early.  He has a good amount of speed to work with and he is not easily passable once he is there.  #8 CONQUER THE CHANCE has an outside chance to win from post eight off a game trip at Dayton Raceway.  He got along very well with Page that night and I would expect him to be forwardly placed again this week.

Race 15: #4 FOLLOW STREAK has won five of her last six starts for trainer Julie Miller.  She has a good amount of speed but is also one that can come from off the pace.  The versatility of this filly is something that jumps off the page at me.  #6 BELLA GLOS won decisively at Harrah’s Philadelphia in the Liberty Bell on September 12.  She has faced some tough company before and should have a good race here.   #7 COURTNEY HANOVER draws tough towards the outside this week and that is really my only concern.  She was second to Phawtosive in the PA Sire Stakes Final and took a little bit of time off leading to this race.  Look for her to be around.

Race 16: #4 SEE ME SPARKLE made a bobble in the OSS Final at Scioto right at the line last week and was placed.  This was a very uncharacteristic break for her, I’m hoping for some improvement tonight.  #6 ONLY TAKE CASH has won seven of eight starts, and she has not missed the board in her career.  She has a good amount of speed and can get over just about any size racetrack, I think she is worth a look here.

***BONUS COVERAGE***

Delaware County Fair Race 17 (Pick 4)
Date: 9/18/2018  Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $20,000

Ticket: 1,7,9/4,8/3,5/3,6,8 Cost: $36.00 ($1.00 base)

Race 17: #1 MANNY L draws the rail this week facing much tougher than he is used to seeing on the fair circuit.  He has been racing pretty well at that level, but today he draws the inside and should be apart of the early pace-scenario.  #7 DANCE WITHSOMEBODY closed gamely from off the pace last week and drew off to win easily at Northfield Park.  He gets a tough draw this week, but with his big closing kick, that should be no issue.  #9 SAND CASH didn’t get the best trip last week from post eight and tonight he gets a little bit better of a draw in the second tier.  This could allow him to get the trip and fire down the lane.

Race 18: #4 BUCKEYEONBROADWAY has had a couple of tough starts against some very stringent company and is dropping down in class to face easier.  He gets David Miller in the bike this week which is not a bad thing at all.  #8 SEAL SNIPER has won two of his last three starts both on half-mile tracks.  The draw was tough for him, but if he can get off the car into a good early position he could strike at a price.

Race 19: #3 YOUAREMYCANDYGIRL has won four of her last six starts against some strong stakes caliber company.  She has a good amount of speed and should be forwardly placed early on.  #5 ALEXA’S POWER is another filly who has won four of six and has really been showing her muscle as of late.  While she hasn’t beaten the big two just yet, she could show up here.

Race 20: #3 PACIN TO PAYDAZE has a good amount of early speed and has shown a good amount of promise for trainer Jeff Nisonger.  He gets a good draw tonight and looks to be very competitive from here.  #6 TINKER TOY Has won two of his last three starts and is another speedy gelding who has a big chance here.  Post-draw was not the greatest, but she also has been known to show a little effort from off the pace.  #8 UPFRONT AND GONE won easily last week from the rail at Dayton Raceway.  Going to give an outside chance this week, even as the ML favorite.