USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Batavia Downs Gaming Race 1 (Pick 5)
Date: 9/21/2018  Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $3,000

Ticket: 2/1,3,7/3,7/2,4,6,8/1,2,6 Cost: $72.00 ($1.00 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – Yesterday, we went three-for-four in both Pick 4’s, the first one of 5/2,6/1/2 returned $26.00.  The sequence to have was the late Pick 4 which provided a big amount of value following the DQ of Stay Hungry.  Mcvenus upset the final leg getting up by a neck over Believe In Wako. The Pick 4 of 5/3/7/3 returned $6,863.00

Breakdown:

Race 1: #2 SWEET CHAPTER gets Morrill back in the bike who helped to give this filly her first career win.  She draws the inside and has the speed to make the top.  She may play catch me if you can.  Look for her to have a big mile.

Race 2: #1 ROCK AMERICA has had some bad luck with the post draw, but this gelding has a ton of early speed to contend with.  Off the rail, I give him a big chance with a driver change to Fisher Jr.  I have to believe that the rail draw will help him here.  #3 JOJO’S PLACE made a break after the start last week and was taken out of contention.  He gets Buter in the bike this week and a much better draw, going to give another chance.  #7 WORLD ON EDGE gets a tough draw on the outside for trainer Ron Burke, but he has handled this spot before.  He has a little bit of speed, but also has a big closing kick which makes him extremely tough.

Race 3:  #3 BRADY BUNCH has put together a good stretch of races as of late and only missed the board once in seven starts.  He has a little bit of speed to contend with and looks like he will be close to the pace this week.  #7 CAPTAIN KRUPNIK draws tough this week coming off a break at Yonkers on September 14.  He scratched sick the night he was supposed to come to Batavia so it will be interesting to see how handles the track.  Look for him late if he can stay flat.

Race 4: #2 SOUTHERN PALMS was a horse that I got to see on September 14 and he looked very strong on the lead.  He fought off track record holder Chelsea’s Chance who had the rail and won easily.  His heart makes him very tough.  #4 GOLDEN KRONOS has a good amount of closing kick especially when he is close to the pace.  Tonight he picks up the services of John Cummings Jr, who could help him out.  #6 BZ GILDE didn’t get the best of trips last week against this class.  He gets another tough draw this week and should rebound off of that effort.  #8 SWELL CHAP is facing easier company as some of the Open trotters at The Meadows are very tough.  Last week’s effort wasn’t nearly as bad as the program shows, he was passed but only missed by a couple of lengths.

Race 5: I like both of the entries, but my top pick is #1 PELICAN BLUE CHIP who draws post three.  She has a little bit of early speed and last week showed that she liked to be on the front end.  If she is anywhere close to that mile tonight she will be tough to beat.  #2 SOLITARY drew the rail this week and gets Bartlett in the bike.  She is a speedy filly who has been just getting nipped on the line as of late.  Look for her to be strong against this class.  #6 BELIEVE IN ME has one outside start in six efforts and that was Tioga Downs and things did not go that well.  She is in a little bit of a tough spot but could play spoiler at big odds.