USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Hawthorne Race Course Race 1 (Pick 5)
Date: 9/22/2018  Carryover: $4,107.68  Guarantee: $20,000

Ticket: 3,7/8/3,5,10/2,6,10/2,4,10– Cost: $54.00 ($1.00 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – We went three-for-five in the Pick 5 at Batavia Downs yesterday, on a night where they had the NYSS consolations in town.  The Pick 5 of 2/4/2/6/2 returned a healthy $1,500.

Breakdown:

Race 1: #3 MEYER ON FIRE has won four straight races for trainer Erv Miller and has looked very sharp leading up to this race.  He is a big closer who can also be forwardly placed.  Look for him to be around somewhere towards the end of the mile.  #7 THE BUCKET won’t give you much value, but if you like a colt who can pass horses and win then this may be your horse.  He will probably be a little short priced, you can take a swing here.

Race 2: #8 ANNAS LUCKY STAR has won four of her last five starts and looked very sharp in doing so.  She gets Wilfong in the bike again this week, she gets along with him very well.

Race 3: #3 FOX VALLEY TORRID came to Hawthorne after a successful stint at the fair and has looked very sharp coming into this race.  Leonard is back in the bike tonight off of that effort.  #5 FOX VALLEY HALSEY has won three of her last four starts against some tough company and has held her own so far.  Last week she grinded on the outside and tired just a hir towards the end.  Look for Oosting to try to recover from that effort.  #10 PERCH may have a tough time from post ten, but with Wilfong back in the bike, this filly may have a chance.  It seems likes she is “coming around” and starting to mature into a nice filly.

Race 4: #2 BIG GARCIA VEGA gets a prime draw towards the inside after racing well in the Kadabera here at Hawthorne.  He is not the speediest gelding of all time but is one that can close from off the pace.  If by some chance he is close to the lead, he looks to have an even bigger shot. #6 FOX VALLEY PICASSO adds hopples for the first time tonight after a game qualifier on September 20.  Tonight he draws mid-pack and is trying to return to beginning season form.  #10 TRIXIE’S TURBO has three wins in five starts, two of those wins coming at Hawthorne Race Course.  Post-draw is tough, but he has proven that he can handle the racetrack.

Race 5: FOX VALLEY CHARM  has a good amount of early speed to contend with, that combined with the rail could spell victory for this mare.  Oosting gets along well with this mare last time out and looks like he could roll with her from the inside.  #4 CHAR N MARG gets Leonard back in the bike tonight after a very game effort last week where she came up just a hair short.  She gets a good draw this week and that should allow her to get into a good striking spot.  10 BOOGIE ON DOWN  gets a very tough draw on the outside but has overcome adversity before from an outside post.  Look for him to be closer to the pace, I would think he would be 3^rd by the ¾ pole.