Best Bet - (5) BETTORS WESTERN - Race 7
Spot Play - (9) FULL MOON FIX - Race 3
Early Pick 4 - 1,3,9/1,2,9/2,3,6/3,4,5,7 = $21.60
Late Pick 4 - 5/1,2,6/1,9/1,2,3,5,9 - $6.00
Race 1 - (2) ASTRA had no chance from a poor post in her last but showed marked improvement two starts back with a good trip. She may benefit from one again against this manageable field. (3) DASANI SEELSTER is obviously in form. She should be forwardly placed from this fine post. (5) SHEMARS LADY HAVOC gets subtle post improvement after a string of excuse lines. We are expecting her to step forward a bit tonight.
Race 2 - (1) EVANKA has had excuse lines in her most recent. She gets much needed post relief and Shepherd is back. (5) SMOOCHIES CREDIT made a huge middle bid before tiring in her last. Her previous efforts recommend consideration here. (3) BEST CHOICE is coming off a series of door knocking efforts. She meets a manageable field and is a threat once again.
Race 3 - (9) FULL MOON FIX had no chance with the bad trip last out. She raced well against stakes types two starts back and finds herself back in an overnight event. (3) CRANBERRY BRIE took advantage of a perfect trip in her most recent, but previous efforts against tougher suggest we pay attention. (1) PERSISTANT XAMPLE loomed boldly to score in her latest. She draws the rail and that gives Shepherd options.
Race 4 - (9) FADING SHADOW had no shot from a poor post in her last. She was in fine form previously, but demand value from the second tier. (2) REGAL LUCK gets slight post relief after an even effort vs. similar. She has near misses at this class in her recent past. (1) TOP ROYAL draws well and figures to be in the mix once again.
Race 5 - (3) BEACH BABY BEE attempted a 3-wide bid in his last against tougher and faltered. That same move beats these, however. (6) MADETOBEKING had no chance from post 8 last out. He is coming off a string of even efforts vs. better, and we expect a step forward off the drop. (2) THE IRONMAN is planning his vengeance that he will soon unfurl.
Race 6 - (3) RUE HANOVER didn’t get the best of starts against a tougher group in her last. She has speed and has displayed it against better. (5) EVAS SPORTS CZECH has had excuse lines in her most recent starts. She gets a better post and a manageable group tonight, so expect better. (7) JULIANA is making her third start off the bench and has a history of minor shares against similar. (4) MACHING BEAUTY was a pick of ours last week and we were disappointed with the effort. Her earlier starts suggest we put her somewhere on the ticket, however. (2) WINDSONG PARISIAN was a strong favorite against similar last out and she is to be respected with a good post again.
Race 7 - (5) BETTORS WESTERN gets class and slight post relief tonight. That puts him in prime contender status. (9) TOOT TOOT N has a near miss at this level two starts back. His effort against tougher was admirable last out, but the second-tier start is tough to accept without value. (6) ARTISTIC PICK was parked the mile in his last after a series of even efforts against tougher.
Race 8 - (1) CHOCOLATE TERROR sports a front running strategy in a race void of early ambition. Her post draw encourages. (6) FRIENDS TO THE END has a good closing kick at times but needs a pace set up. She may not get that entirely but does get a short field which means she should have striking range at least. (2) ZEALOUS SEELSTER was claimed by a top stable four back and does have a win at this group since.
Race 9 - (1) CAMSKING is back on the small oval after some decent tries against tougher at Mohawk. He draws best for a top stable. (9) KINGSTONS BAD BOY starts behind a horse that should be hot off the wings here. He is sporting sharp form to boot. (2) ICONIC VELOCITY gets major post relief from his most recent. He defeated a similar group three starts back.
Race 10 - (1) BIG TIME SUNRISE was parked the mile last out. He defeated a similar group three back and gets the draw tonight. (9) BETTOR BB won from the second tier two starts back. He had no shot from a poor post last out. (2) SMOOTH MARA N tried to go all the way against similar from a poor post in his last. He draws better and that should give him a bit more in the end. (5) MISTER X is a speed type that showed a different dimension to his game in his last. That could be a sign of sharpness. (3) PAR INTENDED defeated this class from a similar post three back. The post improvement puts him in the conversation here.
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Mike Bozich is the current Track Announcer at Harrah's Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, where he is spending his sixth season. He is also the co-host of the popular Post Time with Mike and Mike harness podcast which airs weekly on the Bet America Radio Network.
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