Mike's Race Analysis August 2, 2008
Race #1
1st - #3 Crooked River | 2nd - #6 Vyking Venture | 3rd - #1 Devil’s Eclipse
COMMENTARY : The # CROOKED RIVER should appreciate the easier competition that she’ll face this afternoon; she didn’t show much in her Hastings debut but she’d been working far too well to run that poorly again today. The #6 VYKING VENTURE should be tough in this spot as she finds a field that is lacking in speed and should get a perfect trip either setting the pace or stalking the inside two fillies. The #1 DEVIL’S ECLIPSE has been solid in her three races this spring and has been freshened up for this dash; has some speed and the rail which will make her a big factor.
Race #2
1st - #6 Go Strider | 2nd - #5 Harriette Topper | 3rd - #4 Stella Stella
COMMENTARY : The #6 GO STRIDER looked very good in her last easily besting a similar group fillies three weeks ago; she gets a new pilot (Gutierrez is riding in Edmonton for this barn) today but that shouldn’t bother her one bit. The #5 HARRIETTE TOPPER gave a decent account of herself finishing third behind my top pick last time out but considering she was running back in five days I thought she deserved another shot with better spacing in between starts this time. The #4 STELLA STELLA made a mess of the start in her first try going long which contributed to her poor showing; she returns to a sprint and could be an off-the-pace threat.
Race #3
1st - #4 Cahilty Cat | 2nd - #7 Cherry Cosmo | 3rd - #6 Tricks Or Sweets
COMMENTARY : The #4 CAHILTY CAT has been banging heads with tougher maidens in her first three starts this season and I think she’ll be a major threat in this easier spot today. The #7 CHERRY COSMO would look a lot better if she was running back a little sooner. She certainly fits with these but she just might need one before she’s ready for her best. The #6 TRICKS OR SWEETS has been working sharply since returning to the very hot DaPonte barn. She could be the sleeper.
Race #4
1st - #8 Tribunal Man | 2nd - #3 Kwik | 3rd - #4 Super Red Rabbit
COMMENTARY : The #8 TRIBUNAL MAN ran a winning race with these same types a couple of weeks back but had to settle for the third place cheque; he improved a lot racing without the blinkers so if he repeats his last I think he gets all the cash. The #3 KWIK is a trouble prone type that has had a lot of chances to get the job done; he’s very appealing on form but I think he’ll add another one to his runner-up total. The #4 SUPER RED RABBIT has speed and a better post today so if he can avoid a pace duel then he has a big shot as well.Race #5
1st - #4 Tyger Gold | 2nd - #2 Alferrari | 3rd - #5 Cielo’s Lad
COMMENTARY : The #4 TYGER GOLD is taking a huge dip in price after a third place run for $20,000 ; one must be cautious when attacking a race like this but I will pick him on top. The #2 ALFERRARI was much better in his latest effort checking in third despite racing four wide through the early stages; he should get a better trip today and looks like the main threat to the #4 TYGER GOLD. The #5 CIELO’S LAD returns to a sprint after tiring late going long but that race should set him up for a good performance this afternoon; earlier sprints were pretty good.
Race #6
1st - #5 Instinctive | 2nd - #8 Singing Along | 3rd - #4 Kirschgarten
COMMENTARY : The #5 INSTINCTIVE was out-gamed in the stretch in her Hastings debut which was her first start in two months; there isn’t much speed in this dash so I expect her to take group all the way on head end. The #8 SINGING ALONG is facing an easier test today but seems to be tailing off a bit and with an outside post she looks beatable in this cheaper spot. The #4 KIRSCHGARTEN has been in good form since returning to the races last month; she’ll most likely need a pace duel to make her a winner but I still like her to run in the top three.
Race #7
1st - #2 Scots Pine | 2nd - #6 Dr. J.C. | 3rd - #1 Rank Six
COMMENTARY : The #2 SCOTS PINE was challenged every jump of the way on the lead in his first attempt at this trip and held well to get save third money; he should get things easier on the head end today so he should be tough to catch. The #6 DR. J.C. is always dangerous at this price and distance. The #1 RANK SIX seems to have taking a liking to this longer trip but needs a sharper finish to win the money.
Race #8
1st - #6 Billy Ghost | 2nd - #9 Mighty All Star | 3rd - #1 Shadow Tamer
COMMENTARY : The #6 BILLY GHOST was compromised by the slow fractions last time but it appears that he’ll get a decent pace set in front of him this time. The #9 MIGHTY ALL STAR ran better on the class drop in his latest and if he can shake loose early will be tough to catch. The #1 SHADOW TAMER has run well in his last two despite getting forced out a bit on the turns; he gets the rail today and should threaten for the win.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND ENJOY YOUR DAY AT THE RACES !!
