USTA Play of the Day

by Michael Carter

The Red Mile Race 7 (Pick 4)
Date: 9/9/2018  Carryover: $0  Guarantee: $5,000

Ticket: 2,3/6,7/3,8/ALL(9)– Cost: $36.00 ($.50 base)

Yesterday’s Recap – Yesterday, we went six-for-eight in a Pick 8 that showed the favorites were strong when they were heavy favorites and bombs could show up in races that should be spread.  Trying to beat the big favorites last night was not something that was easy to do.  The official Pick 8 of 4/3/7/8/6/5/5/5 returned $6,091.50 for a .20-cent base wager.

Breakdown:

Race 7: #2 LUV STRUCK gets McCown back in the bike who seems to get along well with this gelding.  He has been battling the outside posts as of late and handling them well.  Last week’s effort where he was outside most of the mile and still managed to finish a game third really jumps off the page at me.  #3 JL JOE has won three of his last six and hit the board in five of those six starts.  He has a big closing kick and is one of the more consistent horses in the group.  Look for a big effort here.

Race 8:  #6 FUEL THE JOE scored two starts back from post ten after being parked the mile and then fired right back with a game effort from the inside.  He is a gutsy gelding that shouldn’t be ignored.  #7 DOUBLE STITCHED closed strongly last week and put up one of the faster miles of the night.  He is a versatile gelding that can race from off the pace or on the lead which gives him an advantage.

Race 9: #3 IT’S LIKE THIS is one of two first time starters in the field and his qualifiers explain why he is the morning line favorite.  They set some pretty soft early fractions on August 31 but came home with a final quarter of 27.2.  Look for him to be game this week.   #8 CAVIART DARLIN’ has shown promise in her qualifiers, but having to take on the boys might be a tough task this week.   She does, however, have the breeding angle on her side.  Her mom Darlins Delight was a champion in her own right, but she also bread millionaire Darlinonthebeach as well.

Race 10: We hit the ALL button in Race 10, but my top selection is #4 HE ROCKS THE MOON has won two straight against lower level claimers and tonight he steps up to face a little bit tougher.  He is another very versatile gelding that shows promise.