Mike's Race Analysis May 25, 2008

Race #1

1st   -  #1 Smokin Danielle | 2nd  -  #6 By Magic | 3rd   -  #3 Hola Mamacita 

COMMENTARY : The #1 SMOKIN DANIELLE just missed in her Hastings debut in a salty $15,000 claimer; she was claimed that day and really doesn’t find a tough $25,000 and with this race void of early speed I like her chances of going wire-to-wire. I liked the #6 BY MAGIC last week with $50,000 mares so I have to follow her back in this far easier spot. The #3 HOLA MAMACITA seemed to sprint well enough in her first start in Vancouver but on form she looks like one that’ll need more ground to get a win at this price tag.

Race #2

1st   -  #2 Sunrise Serenade | 2nd  -  #7 Quagmire | 3rd   -  #6 Lil Victor G 

COMMENTARY : The #2 SUNRISE SERENADE gets a much easier assignment today after his fifth place run at the $8,000 and with leading rider jumping on board I’ll lean to this guy for the win. The #7 QUAGMIRE has been good in both of his starts this year and is likely to win a race very soon; today could be the day. The #6 LIL VICTOR G ran huge at long odds in his return to Hastings after a campaign in California; he might get a nice trip in behind the speed which would give him a decent shot today.

Race #3

1st   -  #1 Rank Six | 2nd  -  #3 Time For Tipping | 3rd   -  #6 Last Marker 

COMMENTARY : The #1 RANK SIX has worked well for his ’08 debut and considering he ran with much better last year he looks pretty good in this very soft maiden event. The #3 TIME FOR TIPPING showed speed and was in a good spot early and faded late but that was against a tougher group; a similar effort gets him a big piece of the purse in this heat. The #6 LAST MARKER showed some run last fall and has a decent work tab so with Gutierrez up I’ll give this guy a shot.

Race #4

1st   -  #6 Karazteca | 2nd  -  #1 Joy Of The Lord | 3rd   -  #3 The Saratoga Four 

COMMENTARY : The #6 KARAZTECA was racing with tougher maidens last year and turned in a big effort with $25,000 maidens first time out; he should appreciate the easier opponents today. The #1 JOY OF THE LORD brings in a nice form from California as well as a sharp work since arriving here so he’s definitely a major threat in this dash. The #3 THE SARATOGA FOUR raced greenly in his debut but has good work (48.80) so better could be in store today.

Race #5

1st   -  #8 Parklane | 2nd  -  #2 Irish Delta | 3rd   -  #7 Nite Time News 

COMMENTARY : The #8 PARKLANE missed the start in his career debut and had to be used hard to get near the pace and considering all the work he had to do early I thought he hung on very well in the end to hold the third spot; won’t need to improve too much to win. The #2 IRISH DELTA had every shot to win but was outrun by the eventual winner; she has a nice post for her style and should be a big factor at a short price. The #7 NITE TIME NEWS raced four wide throughout much of the race last time and if she can get a better trip today then she could turn the tables on the top two.

Race #6

1st   -  #2 Fabulous Miss Otis | 2nd  -  #6 Rockahula Miss | 3rd   -  #7 La Veloz 

COMMENTARY : The #2 FABULOUS MISS OTIS chased an extremely fast pace in her latest and tired in the late going but today she should be able to set a sensible pace on her own and I think she has a great shot in this soft maiden heat. The #6 ROCKAHULA MISS ran into tough one last time and had to settle for second; I wouldn’t be surprised if she won but I have to try and beat her because she lost so many times and will be a short price. The #7 LA VELOZ scratched out of a race on Saturday in favour of this spot and if she shows a little more interest early she has a good shot as well.

Race #7

1st   -  #2 Paulswithdavid | 2nd  -  #3 Alferrari | 3rd   -  #4 Sideline 

COMMENTARY :  The #2 PAULSWITHDAVID is a versatile sort that is very consistent and with him having a solid work tab for his ’08 debut I’ll take him in what should be a very competitive dash. The #3 ALFERRARI is down at a new low after his distant second place run behind the razor sharp SOLDIERS RETURN (morning line choice on Saturday for $20,000); he’s the logical pick. The #4 SIDELINE chased a very fast pace in his return and held well for second; faces easier and if he can avoid a pace duel then he has a decent chance as well.

Race #8

1st   -  #7 Southern Miracle | 2nd  -  #3 Scots Pine | 3rd   -  #1 Silver Barrage 

COMMENTARY : The #7 SOUTHERN MIRACLE benefited from a contested pace in his debut and is likely to get a fast pace set in front of him today; he was sent out ready and raced like a old pro so I like him to stay unbeaten. The #3 SCOTS PINE is racing back in six days after a race with non-two $20,000 types on Monday; the easier opponents should bring out a better result for him but I’m a little concerned about the quick turnaround and the other speed in the lineup. The #1 SILVER BARRAGE has come back with a nice work after a disappointing try first time out this year; he’s capable of better and I think he’ll be a much bigger presence today.

Race #9