Mike's Race Analysis June 16, 2007

Race #1

1st - #7 Alpine Lass | 2nd - #4 Vic's Pick | 3rd - #3 Star Prospector

COMMENTARY : The #7 ALPINE LASS is well-bred daughter of Officer that has been working very quickly in the a.m. so I'll take a shot that she'll be good enough to beat the probable favourite #4 VIC'S PICK who really had no excuses last time and was outrun in the lane. He has that all important experience edge so he still deserves a lot of respect in this spot. The #3 STAR PROSPECTOR was a little slow to begin and rallied to be a distant third behind the #4 VIC'S PICK but with a better start he could be a factor this time.

Race #2

1st - #4 Prosperito | 2nd - #6 Royal Tiara | 3rd - #3 Miss Soul

COMMENTARY : The speedy #4 PROSPERITO was a solid second in her latest against slightly easier foes but I still like her chances up at this $25,000 level (after the claim) because she appears to be the best speed and if she repeats her last effort I think that'll be good enough to best this group. The #6 ROYAL TIARA has been in perfect position in her last two races but has hung late in the race; those races were against winners and she's back in with maidens today but I don't think she's going to get that same beautiful trip which I think she needs to win even at this level. The #3 MISS SOUL had a deceivingly good start to her career as she was a distant against the boys. She's in with the fillies today and sports an excellent morning drill so I wouldn't be surprised if she were to win.

Race #3

1st - #1 Entry | 2nd - #3 Classic Show | 3rd - #2 Bold Path

COMMENTARY : The #1 IMPERIALIST looked good at this same price a couple of weeks ago and is definitely the one to fear. The #3 CLASSIC SHOW was in tons of trouble and would've easily been the winner if he'd gotten any racing room; he makes his first start for new barn and will add blinkers this afternoon. MAIN THREAT !! The #2 BOLD PATH has turned in some decent morning works and could be 'live' at first asking.

Race #4

1st - #3 Belle Of Rainier | 2nd - #1 You'rejustlikeme | 3rd - #2 Launch Our Star

COMMENTARY : The #3 BELLE OF RAINIER came with giant strides in the stretch to remain undefeated as she scored at the $25,000 tag; she's up slightly in class today but I think she's ready for this tougher assignment. The #1 YOU'REJUSTLIKEME has had two good efforts since coming to Hastings and with her down in class today she should be a major factor. The #2 LAUNCH OUR STAR set a fast pace and cruised to an easy win over $25,000 maidens and if she can get clear early then she has a shot as well.

Race #5

1st - #3 My Only Love | 2nd - #5 Against The Sky | 3rd - #8 Grammasaidicould

COMMENTARY : The #3 MY ONLY LOVE was very game runner-up in her seasonal debut behind Peacebethejourney (won last weekend for the third time in a row) so with her out of the lineup I think she's the one to beat. The #5 AGAINST THE SKY has a better post which should lead a better trip this time, she has a sharp work and I'll give her another chance. The #8 GRAMMASAIDICOULD could be the pace-setter and with a race under her belt she'll be a lot tougher today.

Race #6

1st - #9 Howe Sound | 2nd - #6 Big'n'jazzy | 3rd - #4 Ma Me O Mombo

COMMENTARY : The #9 HOWE SOUND continues to descend the claiming ladder after being a pace casualty in his back-to-back defeats at the $11,000 then $8,000 categories; he should get position a little easier against this group and I think that'll lead to better showing today. The #6 BIG'N'JAZZY will probably be the speed of the race which will make this former Northern California runner a prime threat to my top pick. The #4 MA ME O MOMBO encountered a bunch of trouble on the final turn which contributed to his sixth place finish so with a clean trip he could be in-the-money at a nice price.

Race #7

1st - #2 Captain T W Bly | 2nd - #3 Mullumbimby | 3rd - #4 Magna Force

COMMENTARY : The #2 CAPTAIN T W BLY has had two extremely wide trips with tougher sprinters but with this race at a mile and a sixteenth I think he'll get finally get into a good spot early and from there he should be tough to beat at this $35,000 level. The #3 MULLUMBIMBY found the optional $50,000 claimers too tough so he's down for $35,000 and he strikes me as a horse that will run long so I'll put him in the second spot. The #4 MAGNA FORCE is another that I think will appreciate this longer trip and I'll gamble that this maiden can get into the top three.

Race #8

1st - #5 Lord Nelson | 2nd - #6 Bound To Be M V P | 3rd - #4 Luhuk's Dancer

COMMENTARY : The former champion #5 LORD NELSON is returning for another season at the ripe age of ten; he's been training beautifully and looks ready for this allowance test so I'm pulling for the old guy. The #6 BOUND TO BE M V P was disgraced in the $51,000 George Royal finishing fourth behind Horse-Of-The-Year True Metropolitan; he's worked very well in the interim and looks to be a top threat in this dash. The #4 LUHUK'S DANCER took advantage of a race without any pace in it and scored a wire-to-wire win with easier; he too has trained well for his return.

Race #9

1st - #9 Sunny Remark | 2nd - #5 No Need To Hide | 3rd - #2 Splash Power

COMMENTARY : The #9 SUNNY REMARK was in mid-pack at the finish of her last race which was with tougher $15,000 maidens but she's in with much easier today and I'll take her to win it. The #5 NO NEED TO HIDE is taking the same drop in class although her race was not as gritty as my top pick but if she were to repeat her first race on the season then she has a great shot. TOUGH CALL !! The #2 SPLASH POWER is a first time starter that has some decent works so I'll put her in the TRIACTA.

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