Mike's Race Analysis July 5, 2008

Race #1

COMMENTARY : The #7 QUAGMIRE suffered from a wide trip last time but still managed to save fourth beaten a little less than three lengths. He should get a perfect trip sitting just off the pace so if he repeats his last effort he’ll get all the money this time. The #6 AREA CODE didn’t run a yard last time as the big ‘fave’; he’ll get a new pilot (Gutierrez) and more importantly will be refitted in blinkers. The #1 NEWTON’S RULE ran a little better in his latest and if he can avoid a speed duel then he has a shot as well.

Race #2

1st   -  #6 Snow Moon | 2nd  -  #4 Tigerheat | 3rd   -  #1 Peaceful Turzia 

COMMENTARY : The #6 SNOW MOON has blossomed into a very nice three year old that can sprint and go long as well; he should get a good trip sitting just off of the speedy #4 TIGERHEAT and should be tough to beat from that spot. The #4 TIGERHEAT worked very quickly for this race (58.80) and if he rates like he did in California he’ll be a strong threat to go wire-to-wire. The #1 PEACEFUL TURZIA didn’t care for the Calgary track and ran well back in the $125,000 Alberta Derby; he’s back in for a tag but still needs to prove that he can stay this trip.

Race #3

1st   -  #7 Go Strider | 2nd  -  #8 Service Ribbon | 3rd   -  #5 Walking Spirit 

COMMENTARY : The #7 GO STRIDER battled hard on the head end with the eventual winner last time which ended up costing her second money; she will get the lead comfortably this afternoon and shouldn’t be caught. The #8 SERVICE RIBBON was much better with the addition of blinkers in her last and if she can get someone to keep my top pick honest early then she has a big chance of winning today. The #5 WALKING SPIRIT has been pretty consistent so far this year and looks to be the best of the rest.

Race #4

1st   -  #6 Yankee George | 2nd  -  #3 Litobitoromance | 3rd   -  #2 Market Flair 

COMMENTARY : The #6 YANKEE GEORGE was bounced around leaving the gate in his last which caused him to be farther back than usual; he’s aggressively spotted at the bottom maiden claiming level and should be tough to beat. The #3 LITOBITOFROMANCE closed up nicely to get third in his debut and with the threat of a lively pace looming he could be the ‘value’ play. The #2 MARKET FLAIR has raced on a ‘dead rail’ in each of his last two defeats but with a lot of speed in this dash he could take back and get to the outside and be more a factor in the end.

Race #5

1st   -  #6 Random Highs | 2nd  -  #2 Baba Zula | 3rd   -  #5 Tricks Or Sweets 

COMMENTARY : The #6 RANDOM HIGHS looked very good in her debut finishing second at long odds; she’s up in price today but this dash really hasn’t come up all that tough so if she can reproduce her last race I like her to get the win. The #2 BABA ZULA faces easier foes today and gets a better post for her tracking style; major threat. The #5 TRICKS OR SWEETS was running on well in her latest ending up a close third; there is a strong chance of a contested pace so I look for her to be a factor late in her first run for her new connections.

Race #6

COMMENTARY : The #9 HUNTER’S LAD had to go pretty quick in his two tries going long and has actually hung on reasonably well so I think he’s ready for a big effort sprinting. The #4 LENNYLOOKSGOOD almost got the job done two weeks back when fitted with blinkers; he’s the logical play but the price will likely be terrible. The #1 CAGEY CURT ran much better in his latest ending up third and if the early pace gets a little hot he’ll be a big factor in the stretch.

Race #7

COMMENTARY : The #4 REMARKABLE MISS tried hard chasing the ‘Allstar’ last time coming home a solid second in an excellent time; she’s bred to be a better horse at this trip and with ‘Allstar’ out of town she has a good shot of winning her first stakes of the season. The #5 DAYMAKER has made huge strides in a short period of time and was unlucky not to win the $75,000 Penny Ridge in Calgary; she’s obviously a talented filly and one with a promising future and with this stake coming up light she has a great shot as well. The #2 JUVEE HALL is another filly on the improve that could be a big part of the filly stakes division; she seems versatile in her running styles which is a big plus with a young filly so she also deserves respect. 

Race #8

COMMENTARY : The #1 HOLY NOVA and the #1a LADY RAJ look unstoppable today, both are coming into this race off of impressive stakes victories so there’s no reason to play against them. If the #2 STARLITE STRIKE got enough out of her sprint run in Winnipeg she is the only one with a shot to pull off an upset. The #5 YOOROCK GAL was run into the ground early last time which led to her seventh place finish but she should get a better trip today so I’ll give her another shot to be in the money.

Race #9

1st  -  #3 Unspoken Thoughts | 2nd  -  #5 Golf Tease | 3rd   -  #6 Latina Look 

COMMENTARY : The #3 UNSPOKEN THOUGHTS ran well enough to win her latest but had to settle for second; she appears to be the lone speed and I think she’ll stay the trip today. The #5 GOLF TEASE is down in class and should improve in this spot; she has good positional speed so she will tracking my top pick early and should hang for a piece of the TRIACTOR and SUPERFECTA. The #6 LATINA LOOK is another getting an easier assignment this afternoon; she finally gets off the rail (which hasn’t been the place to be this year) and has a good shot of winning with a top effort.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND ENJOY YOUR DAY AT HASTINGS RACECOURSE !!!