USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Batavia Downs Gaming Race 1 (Pick 5)
Date: 9/7/2018 Carryover: $2,940  Guarantee: $6,000

Ticket: 3,4,5/3,5,7/6,7/1,4,5/3– Cost: $27.00 (.50 cent base)

Yesterday’s Recap – Our single yesterday that we used on top got the perfect trip, took the lead briefly and then tired at the end.  The official trifecta of 7/3/4 returned $45.00.

Breakdown:

Race 1: #3 ONE SOURCE picks up the services of Drew Monti who is winning at a 19% clip currently.  He has had a couple of rough trips against the tougher company, tonight he takes a step back and should rebound.  #4 SAPIENT HANOVER looked really well last week but got locked in and down the stretch just couldn’t shake free.  I look for Bailey to get him into a better position this week.  #5 DWNTWNSKEETERBROW scored against the lower level company last week and moves up off of that impressive performance.  Not sure you will get 13/1 this week with Cummings back aboard.

Race 2: #3 ARE YOU IN made a break last out against the conditioned ranks and bounced back to finish a game second.  He gets a post towards the inside and has the consistency to be there towards the end.  #5 NORTHERN MATADOR has won three of his last five and overcame the sick scratch on July 13 after a two-week break.  He would rather be close to the race, so he needs to be put into the race early by Monti.  #7 LENNY MAC has been hit or miss as of late, but is looking to rebound after a brief layoff.  Tough spot from post seven, but might be worth a look.

Race 3:  6 MR PERSEVERANCE likes to be close to the pace even from an outside post.  Last week he only missed by a length against this group as everyone came closing in off some decent fractions.  He gets along with Davis, I look for him to improve.  #7 JUDE HALL has really had some poor luck with the post-position draw as of late.  His last two races are not nearly as bad as they look on paper.  Definite contender and worth a look.

Race 4: #1 JUST FRANK draws the inside this week off a tough effort against the upper-level conditioned company last week.  He has a little bit of early speed, but it seems like he would rather get the trip.  The goal here is not get locked in with no open stretch.  #4 BIG GAME came from off the pace last week to draw off and win easily against the lower level condition.  He steps up a little bit this week to face a little tougher and should be able to handle it well.  #5 FREAKY FLYER improved vastly with post-improvement last week.  Tonight he gets a little bit of a tough draw, but if he can be put into the race again he could be a strong contender.

Race 5: #3 BARN SIS gets the services of McDonough for the first time for trainer Maria Rice.  She draws well and is coming off a win against some decent company.  With not a lot of speed to her inside I think she could be apart of the pace scenario.