USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

Eldorado Scioto Downs Race 2 (Pick 8)
Date: 9/8/2018  Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $10,000

Ticket: 4,5,8/3/1,6,7,8/1,7,9/3,7/1,5/5,6/1,5– Cost: $115.20 ($.20 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – Yesterday, we nailed every leg in the Pick 5 at Batavia except the first one.  There was a good amount of new money bet into the pool with the carryover.  The Play of the Day even pulled home a couple of $10.00 or more horses.  The official Pick 5 was 1/7/6/5/3 and returned $2,208.75

Breakdown:

Race 2: #4 ONLY TAKE CASH has won five of her last six starts and she has not missed the board since her career began.  She gets a good draw and has proven she can handle what very well could be a sloppy track.  Looking for her to continue to shine this week.  #5 SEE ME SPARKLE has won two of her last four starts and really has started to improve throughout the season.  She has some early speed and can also come from off the pace.  Her versatility is what could get her through.  #8 AUNT ROSE’s last victory came over a sloppy track at Scioto Downs.  She gets a tough draw but could be the value play we are looking for.

Race 3: #3 QUEEN OF THE PRIDE faced some tough company last week in the Eternal Camnation at Woodbine Mohawk Park.  She rallied gamely from off the pace in that effort and just narrowly missed in her first step up against stakes company.  She is worth being a single here.

Race 4: #1 SMACKITWITHAHAMMER has won two of his last three starts including one victory at Scioto.  He draws the rail this week and could get the trip from the inside.  #6 SEE YOU IN TUSCANY adds Lasix for the first time and adds driver James McDonald which could very well play to his favor.  He has a victory in two legs of the Sire Stakes and looks like he could be a huge overlay tonight.  #7 HIGH ON PAYDAZE had a no excuses trip last week where he got a perfect trip and just never fired in the stretch.  He has two victories at Scioto Downs and his ability is something that shouldn’t be ignored.  #8 ROSE RUN ULYSSES vastly improved last out after a tough race at Scioto Downs.  He bounced back after a 17-day layoff in the next leg to win decisively.  He has a chance from the outside.

Race 5: #1 LANE OF STONE has been racing well for trainer Mark Winters Sr.  He has speed and can come from off the pace, if the early pace-scenario gets crazy he has the ability to sit back and be patient.  #7 YES bounced back from a little bit of a break very well drawing off to win easily.  Sutton gets back in the bike tonight and he gets along very well with him.  #9 HOMER HALL has won three straight and he has proven that he belongs with this group.  He could score even from the outside, but the trip tonight will be a little tough.

Race 6: #3 KAY AGAIN made a very uncharacteristic break on August 11^th, but her qualifier at Hoosier speaks volumes about her ability.  She is a speedy filly who could prove to be the best tonight if she minds her manners.  #7 PRSNTPRETYNPERFECT has been off for about three weeks which is really surprising leading into a $275,000 race, but the qualifier really jumps off the page at me.  She has a big closing kick and should be able to handle the outside post.

Race 7: #1 CALIFORNIA LOVE adds Lasix for the first time tonight after a very tough effort in the final leg at Northfield Park last out.  She has five wins this week all of them from off the pace, or after being near the lead.  The rail draw plays to her advantage tonight, look for her to be into the mix.  #5 IMPINKTOO has a strong closing kick and last weeks race really proves that.  The line doesn’t do her a whole lot of justice, but she made up a lot of ground late in the stretch.  She likes to pass horses, that is something that I like seeing in younger horses.

Race 8: #5 TWO O B WONKENOBI has won three-straight races and this was a gelding I got to see first hand back on August 18^th and he looked very sharp.  I am really looking forward to seeing him race this week.  #6 PASS THE VAPE has won four of his last five starts from inside and outside posts.  He is a very versatile gelding who has shown a lot of promise this year and tonight is no different.

Race 9: #1 ROCKATHON gets a big driver change to David Miller this week off a winning score against the conditioned company.  He has been competitive against Sire Stakes company before, the driver change with the post help could very well make a difference.  #5 LATHER UP will be the heavy favorite, my only question about him is the way the track plays.  He hasn’t been the flattest horse this year and that is a big concern coming into a race where there may be an off track.