Mike's Race Analysis June 30, 2008

Race #1

COMMENTARY : The #5 M L’S INDIAN just finished beating a similar group two weeks ago and with him drawing perfectly for his style there really no reason to go against in this tiny field. The #3 PAULSWITHDAVID has turned in two good efforts so far this year and looks like the only one with a shot to beat my top pick. The #1 FRASERVIEW is a nice horse that comes to play all the time; he’s had a couple of horrible trips this season and I expect him to rebound in this small field (no traffic problems) with a better result. 

Race #2

1st   -  #6 Paradise Cruiser | 2nd  -  #3 Selina’s Mask | 3rd   -  #5 Shirleyanne 

COMMENTARY : The #6 PARADISE CRUISER probably should’ve won last week but was force four and five wide on the final turn while the eventual winner snuck through on the rail. I think she’s a better filly at this longer trip and as long as the quick turnaround doesn’t hurt her then she should be double tough. The #3 SELINA’S MASK hasn’t really burned up the course since coming to Vancouver but this is a much easier assignment for her and with this race lacking early speed she looks like a strong wire-to-wire threat. The #5 SHIRLEYANNE has done quite well in her two sprints this year which bodes well for her on the stretch out today but I’m a little concerned with the pace scenario as she is a deep closer.

Race #3

COMMENTARY : The #1 KERRISDALE COMET was given a tough job last week running with Star Prospector but he’s in a better spot today and with the rail he’s going to be tough to beat. The #3 JOY OF THE LORD has been impressive since arriving at Hastings in early May; his speed makes him a threat. The #5 CALLINAN improved noticeably last year when put on the Lasix program; this is his first start of the season but there could be a solid pace which would obviously help his cause.

Race #4

1st   -  #6 Kickin Back | 2nd  -  #7 Henry West | 3rd   -  #2 Kwik 

COMMENTARY : The #6 KICKIN BACK ran a winning race last time but a maiden allowance dropper got the better of him that day; he should be able to get lead in this dash and I think he’ll be tough to catch. The #7 HENRY WEST has been solid in most of starts but poor trips have forced him into minor pay cheques but I think from this post he’ll finally get a good trip which could lead to a victory. The #2 KWIK dropped down to this level last time and ran into a sharp four year old from California; this is an easier $25,000 so she deserves a lot of respect. 

Race #5

COMMENTARY : The #2 ALERT N WISE is taking a big dip in price and will also get the blinkers back that he wore in both of his wins last year so we should see a better performance from him today. The #6 CALIFORNIATRUEGRIT was troubled away from the gate which cost him in his last race and apparently after as well as he’s been away from the races for two months; he has a class edge on most of these and should be a major factor. The #5 STOUTHEARTED is back in a conditional race after a no-threat run with open $15,000 claimers; he’s won his last two conditional races so he has a good chance in this dash as well. 

Race #6

1st   -  #3 Parklane | 2nd   - #4 Irish Delta | 3rd   -  #1 Nite Time News 

COMMENTARY : The #3 PARKLANE is coming out of three strong heats in which she performed well and with this race looking a bit easier I like her chances today. The #4 IRISH DELTA is back up in price after a narrow loss for $35,000; she has beaten my top pick before so she rates a good chance in this heat. The #1 NITE TIME NEWS must break away from the gate better if she’s to win but even if she’s slow again today I still like her to be in the top three.

Race #7

1st   - #5 Tendra’s Way | 2nd  -  #7 Singing Along | 3rd  -  #2 Mahaty Jo 

COMMENTARY : The #5 TENDRA’S WAY is a much better filly when she’s on the lead and I think she can get to the top early in this dash so I’ll give her a try today. The #7 SINGING ALONG defeated most of these last time out but was disqualified for interference at the top of the stretch; lack of early pace in here hurts her chances and with the price likely to be small she’s definitely one to try and beat. The #2 MAHATY JO has been good in all three of her starts this year and if she can show a little more speed today then she has a shot to win as well.

Race #8

1st   -  #4 Winforus | 2nd  -  #6 Roaring Wind | 3rd   -  #5 The Saratoga Four 

COMMENTARY : The #4 WINFORUS is making his first start of the year and faces a field filled with front-end types so with him down in class I like him to win his ’08 debut. The #6 ROARING WIND is the logical play off of his runner-up effort two weeks ago. The #5 THE SARATOGA FOUR gets a better draw and will race without blinkers so perhaps we could see a better result for him today. 

GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY YOUR DAY AT THE RACES !!!