USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

The Meadows Racetrack and Casino Race 9 (Pick 5)
Date: 9/4/2018 Carryover: $2,551.55  Guarantee: $10,000

Ticket: 2,4,5/7,8/3,5,8/2,9/4,6,8– Cost: $54.00 (.50 cent base)

Yesterday’s Recap – We hit the ALL button in the wrong race as the favorite edged out the bigger price in the finale.  Our single in Leg 2 scored in Race 7 paying $3.20 while we missed the other two legs.  The Pick 4 of 7-2-4-6 returned $1,875.00.

Breakdown:

Race 9: #2 SO SLICK made a break at the top of the stretch last week after leading most of the way and never recovered.  If he gets off the car this week and can avoid trouble, he may score at decent odds.  #4 YANKEE BOURBON has had a tough run of luck as of late and I have to believe that post position has something to do with it.  He has a big closing kick to him and he can pass horses, that’s something that I really like to see.  #5 CEMETERY OAKS closed gamely last week to narrowly miss at Lexington.  He has a little bit of speed but is more of a closer.  Look for him especially if the pace falls apart.

Race 10: #7 ARE YOU TERRY could be the value play of the sequence coming off a pair of second place efforts at the fair.  She is a horse that does better when she is close to the pace, so the post might compromise her a little bit, but I think Tony can get her into the race.  #8 PRAIRIE COWGIRL has won two straight over the 5/8 track at Tioga Downs and was close to the pace in both of them.  Last week she had post eight and handled it like a champion.  Look for her this week

Race 11: #3 CALL TO POST just missed last week with Snyder in the bike and he was coming late.  When he draws well he is normally close to the pace, the class drop could very well make the difference here.  #5 OBEE has struggled with post draw as of late but has handled it pretty well.  Adds Charlino back this week who really gets along with this gelding.  I expect him to be apart of the pace-scenario late.  #8 CHIPARIFFIC comes off of Lasix this week and that may actually help this gelding out.  He qualified well without it and could be on the improve.

Race 12: #2 EAGLE FORD won decisively last week after being stretched out to the first quarter.  He gets a really good draw again this week and Indoff takes over the reigns.  #9 CRUISE CONTROL is another possible value play this week from post nine.  He has struggled against the upper-level claimers but could bounce back today.

Race 13: #4 WHATALUCKYGUY was coming late last week and then he made a break which he recovered from, but just didn’t have enough to get there.  He has speed and closing power which makes him extremely versatile.  Wilder picks up the lines this week.  #6 SPOT ON KIDD is a big potential value play that should not be ignored this week.  The strong closing power of this gelding is something that really jumps off the page at me.  #8 BEALOT has won two of his last three starts and has looked very strong in both of them.  He handled coming from the ½ mile of the fairs to the 5/8 extremely well.  I look for him to be around this week.