USTA Play of the Day – 11/10/18
USTA Play of the Day
by Michael Carter
Batavia Downs Gaming Race 1 (Pick 5)
Date: 11/10/2018 Carryover: $4,700 Guarantee: $10,000
Ticket: 1,3/ALL (7)/3,4/1,4/6,7 – Cost: $56.00 ($.50 base)
Yesterday’s Recap – We went one-for-four in a Pick 4 that stuck pretty much to form at The Meadowlands last night. The only winner we had came in the second leg and it was a chalky favorite with Dexter Dunn driving. The Pick 4 of 4/8/5/7,8,10 returned $87.45 for a 50-cent base wager.
Breakdown:
Race 1: #1 FOREIGN OFFICER is coming off of two straight victories against lower level claiming company, both of them on the front end for trainer JD Perrin. He draws the rail this week against the slightly tougher company should be able to keep to form. #3 GO COLLECT N has a little bit of a concern with a sick scratch on October 27 and this one having about three weeks off. Trainer James Clouser Jr., normally has them ready to rock, I have to think he is going to bounce back to form.
Race 2: We hit the ALL button here as the bottom level claimers could do just about anything, but my top selection is #5 ROYAL MACHERY. He got the perfect trip last week and was able to just get up, in the end, closing home strongly. He gets a little bit of a tough draw this week but should have no issues at a price.
Race 3: #3 KEYSTONE KEEN has shown a lot of promise through some tough races in his past couple of starts. He draws well this week and when he is close to the pace, he tends to find the racing room late and should not be ignored. #4 R M HAWK likes to sit the pocket and I think facing a hair easier company could play to his favor. He draws well and should be keyed up this week.
Race 4: #1 MICHAEL’S VICTORY gets a good draw finally after being on the outside two weeks in a row. The question here is can he stay flat if he does I think from off the rail he is a solid contender. #4 FREAK ON A LEASH was scratched sick last time out and is another gelding in the field who has struggled with post position. He gets a good draw and a driver change to Billy Davis Jr., which could help here.
Race 5: #6 AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL is a gelding who has interested me over the past few weeks and just hasn’t been hitting the mark. Tonight he drops down and could pop from here. #7 FREENEASY HANOVER gets Cummings in the bike tonight for the first time following some lackluster efforts. Tonight he faces a little easier and should race back well at big odds.
**********************BONUS COVERAGE***********************
Northfield Park Race 13 (Super Hi-5)
Date: 11/10/2018 Carryover: $9,296 Guarantee: $30,000
Ticket: 4,10/4,9,10/4,7,9,10/3,4,7,9,10– Cost: $19.20 ($.20 base)
Race 13: #4 SOUTHWIND LEA gets the top call here getting Wrenn in the bike again following a tough effort last time out. She gets another good draw and if Wrenn can ration out the speed she could be tough against these.
#10 WHO SAYS THAT draws a little tough this week, but this is a mare who likes to come rocketing from off the pace. Her effort last out where she made up a big amount of ground sticks out at me even though she was only sixth. Definitely worth a look.
#9 MISS DOLLAR MAM closed gamely from off the pace last week took the lead momentarily but was outkicked in the stretch. The same draw tonight, looking for somewhat the same trip.
#7 POP THE TAGS is always good at Northfield specifically when you don’t expect him to be. Last week she was passing horses left and right in the stretch and just narrowly missed. Stahl is in the bike this week.
#3 FEELIN THE SEA could be the value play of the sequence tonight following a rough effort from post eight last out. We throw that start out and look for some much-needed improvement this week.