Mike's Race Analysis August 25, 2007
Race #1
1st - # 2 B My Dream | 2nd - #1 Mining Interactive | 3rd - #5 Lasting Friend
COMMENTARY : The #2 B MY DREAM finished well to get the runner-up cheque in her latest and with a pace duel looking likely she’ll be a major factor in the stretch. The #1 MINING INTERACTIVE has trained nicely for her new barn and with a big drop in price she’ll be a big pace threat. The #5 LASTING FRIEND hails from a good outfit and has some quick morning trials.
Race #2
1st - #1 Surgical Strike | 2nd - #2 Raymer Road | 3rd - #6 Zippy Zak
COMMENTARY : The #1 SURGICAL STRIKE crushed non-winner $5,000 types in his latest victory and when this guy gets good he can string some wins together so I’ll call him a wire-to-wire winner. The #2 RAYMER ROAD chased a sharp one in SIDELINE (came back to run second last Sunday) last time so with him dropping down a peg he’ll be the one to beat. The #6 ZIPPY ZAK has beaten most of them this year and if he can work out a decent trip he’ll be a big threat again today.
Race #3
1st - #4 My Entitlement | 2nd - #1 Tendra's Way | 3rd - #3 Hidden Heart
COMMENTARY : The #4 MY ENTITLEMENT was forced out four wide throughout in her last start which contributed to her fourth place showing albeit in a ‘live’ heat; she’s been given a little time off and has worked well for her return so I expect a good run from her today. The #1 TENDRA’S WAY broke a little slow then rushed up to challenge a very quick pace and held well to be second; my only concern with her today is the rail but if she breaks better and overcomes the inside post then she should win. The #3 HIDDEN HEART has been racing on poly-track and turf in her previous starts so it’ll be interesting to see how she handles the conventional dirt.
Race #4
1st - #5 Just A Country Boy | 2nd - #2 Imperialist | 3rd - #8 Singing Dixieland
COMMENTARY : The #5 JUST A COUNTRY BOY is taking a big drop in price and looks likely to get a contested pace in front of him so as long as the quick work (59.20) on entry morning doesn’t take too much out of him then he should get the victory. The #2 IMPERIALIST has been facing tougher but finds a lot of other speed around him which is why I’ve left him in the second spot. The #8 SINGING DIXIELAND has been better this year and even though he’s cutting back in distance I like him be in the money.
Race #5
1st - #5 Cusack | 2nd - #3 Newton John | 3rd - #1 Corone Real
COMMENTARY : The #5 CUSACK just missed in his latest at the $25,000 level losing a photo to the #3 NEWTON JOHN, his last marathon race he was third in a huge field so he’ll appreciate the smaller field and should be flying late. The #3 NEWTON JOHN has been unstoppable since stretching out and racing long but he gets an even longer test today and other speed to pester him. The #1 CORONE REAL looked good in winning the B.C. Cup Marathon at this same distance in an excellent time; this race has come up much tougher but he’s the proven eleven furlong winner which is why he’ll get his share of support at the windows.
Race #6
1st - #2 Archery | 2nd - #6 Rosada | 3rd - #3 Diamond Notebook
COMMENTARY : The #2 ARCHERY was a solid runner-up in the $53,000 Timber Music behind the talented filly Alpine Lass; she’s been training well for her return and a repeat effort should get her the winner’s cheque. The #6 ROSADA wasn’t all that far behind the #2 ARCHERY in her debut and has since come back to win impressively so she looks like the main threat to my top pick. The #3 DIAMOND NOTEBOOK has worked very nicely for her debut and is obviously a filly with a bright future; she’s been given a tough assignment starting her career in a stakes race but judging by the way she’s worked she fits with these fillies.
Race #7
1st - #5 Big Shiny | 2nd - #3 Market Bell | 3rd - #1 Beckenbauer
COMMENTARY : The #5 BIG SHINY ran into a monster in Sir Gallovic in his first try going long and IO thought he did well to stay on for third considering that he bled that day; he’ll get Lasix for the first time and could be the lone speed so I like his chances today. The #3 MARKET BELL made a big move on the backstretch before tiring to finish fourth on B.C. Cup day behind Ookashada; he’s in a better spot today and if the pace scenario gets heated he’ll be a big factor. The #1 BECKENBAUER was a little disappointing last time but I’ll gamble that he returns with a better showing.
Race #8
1st - #3 Highfivenhighnees | 2nd - #5 Snow Moon | 3rd - #4 Unspoken Thoughts
COMMENTARY : The #3 HIGHFIVENHIGHNEES did everything right in his debut except win but I think he’ll do that today with a repeat effort. The #5 SNOW MOON has had a couple nice gate drills and is bred to be quick so give him a long look in the paddock. The #4 UNSPOKEN THOUGHTS has been tackling pricier company and has an experience edge on most which is why I like him to be in the top three.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND ENJOY YOUR AFTERNOON AT HASTINGS !!!!
