USTA Play of the Day – 10/15/2018
USTA Play of the Day
by Michael Carter
Northfield Park Race 11 (Pick 4)
Date: 10/14/2018 Carryover: $0 Guarantee: $30,000
Ticket: 2,3,4,5,6/2,7,8/9,10/2– Cost: $30.00 ($1.00 base)
Yesterday’s Recap – We had the top horse last night, but underneath was a few monstrous prices that helped inflate the payoff. The big carryover into the High-5 also made it pay extremely well. The Super Hi-5 of
Breakdown:
Race 11: #2 OWEN HANOVER has two wins against the lower level company, both of them on the front end. He appears to be the speed of the race and should be close to the pace. Look for a big effort this week as the post has improved since last racing against tougher. #3 J C ONTHEBEACH gets Page in the sulky for the first time in a while tonight after a couple of tough efforts against Open company. He drops in class and he is a very versatile gelding who I expect to be there towards the end of the mile. #4 WORLD OF GAMING has been facing tough company and been caught wide towards the outside. He draws well against easier tonight and that should help some. #5 SONOFA SIZZLE was parked three-wide in the first turn last week, made the lead, and then tired a little bit in the end. That effort really jumps off the page at me and this horse has a big ability to put in a big mile. #6 PRAIRIE JAGUAR is another gelding that got a rough trip last week and didn’t perform all that badly. He has a little bit of early speed and when he is close to the pace, he is tough.
Race 12: #2 PAY THE WINNER has had a case of the seconditis as of late. He draws well towards the inside and will probably be the early pace-setter. Look for a decent trip, when Wrenn drives for Schillaci, it’s normally a lock. #7 SASS has won two of his last three starts, my issue with this horse is his breaking issues. He has Merriman back in the bike, the question here will be will he stay out of trouble. #8 FLY JESSE FLY has won three of his last four starts and they have been from a multitude of positions. He has speed, can close, and race from just about any post-position. Expect another strong effort even from an outside post.
Race 13: #9 THE POKESTER has won two of his last three starts, one from off the pace, one while being forwardly placed. He draws a little tough, but with his closing ability that should not be an issue. #10 WILBUR’S Z TAM has been hit or miss as of late, but the post-position draw hasn’t been the best to this gelding. He likes to come from off the pace and the driver change to Merriman is a big one.
Race 14: #2 SOUTHWIND YUKON needs the last start thrown out from post six where he never fired off the car. His second trip to Northfield should be more successful with some major post improvement and some class relief.