Mike's Race Analysis August 24, 2008
Race #1
1st - #5 Romanced | 2nd - #2 Hola Mamacita | 3rd - #1 Entry
COMMENTARY : The #5 ROMANCED chased a quick pace in her last and ran on well to be third; today there is absolutely no early speed at all so she looks like she’s going to get things pretty easy on the head end and should be tough to catch. The #2 HOLA MAMACITA isn’t the best sprinter around but with this race featuring so many distance specialists she has a shot if she can stay a little closer to the early pace; blinkers on could help !! The #1 KATELLIENA looks like the stronger half of the entry although she seems better going long; she’s another that’ll need to stay closer away from the gate if she’s to have any shot of winning this dash.Race #2
1st - #2 Saratoga Attire | 2nd - #1 Almostoutoftheblue | 3rd - #4 Socks On Socks Off
COMMENTARY : The #2 SARATOGA ATTIRE is back in town after an unsuccessful trip to Alberta; he’s facing easier competition and with a good draw he’s definitely the one to beat. The #1 ALMOSTOUTOFTHEBLUE took on the reigning two year old champ in the $50,000 Nursery on BC Cup day and got walloped; he has the speed and rail and if he can out-foot the #2 SARATOGA ATTIRE early then he has a good chance of winning. The #4 SOCKS ON SOCKS OFF looks like the best off-the-pace threat in a race that could have a hotly contested pace so he deserves respect as well.Race #3
1st - #1 Agro | 2nd - #5 Rx Registrar | 3rd - #4 Organist
COMMENTARY : The #1 AGRO has been an also-ran in his last four starts after winning at 31-1 in his first start of the season but he’s facing easier opponents today and should more of a factor. He likes ‘wet tracks’ and with rain in the forecast it looks like he’ll get his best surface. The #5 RX REGISTRAR earned a hard fought win over a similar field three weeks ago; he’s in top form right now while many others aren’t in here so he looks like the logical play. The #4 ORGANIST finished just in behind ‘RX’ last time and with the lack of early speed in this dash he might be able to sneak away early; he has a tactical edge in this one !!
Race #4
1st - #5 El Sinaloense | 2nd - #6 Seismologist | 3rd - #3 Wildwood Swing
COMMENTARY : The #5 EL SINALOENSE is an amazingly gifted colt that looks and acts like a three year old in a two year old body; his times have been sensational and he looks like unstoppable. The #6 SEISMOLOGIST could get a nice trip sitting just off of the ‘fave’ which will give him every shot to complete the EXACTOR. The #3 WILDWOOD SWING looked good winning his debut going three and a half furlongs; he’s prepped smartly for his stakes debut and is another that could round out the EXACTOR.Race #5
1st - #4 Rockahula Miss | 2nd - #9 Stingoftruth | 3rd - #8 Count Your Dreams
COMMENTARY : The #4 ROCKAHULA MISS has had a couple of tough trips in her last two but has still managed to hit the board; she should be a nice spot early and as long as she avoids traffic problems she should get the money today. The #9 STINGOFTRUTH finished just ahead of my top pick the last time they met so it’s in her to win this afternoon but I’m a little leery of the lack of activity (4 weeks with no works) in the a.m. The #8 COUNT YOUR DREAMS has been right in the thick of it at the head of the lane in her last couple of starts and if she can get a decent trip she’ll be a factor again today.
Race #6
1st - #4 Dramatic Charmer | 2nd - #6 Service Ribbon | 3rd - #2 Shirleyanne
COMMENTARY : The #4 DRAMATIC CHARMER looked very strong in winning over non-two types last time out and with this race really not coming up all that tough I think she’ll repeat. The #6 SERVICE RIBBON encountered some trouble at the three-eighths pole in her latest which cost her any shot at winning so if she can stay clear of trouble and keep her momentum going at crunch time then she has a shot to beat her stable-mate. The #2 SHIRLEYANNE has been pretty consistent at this longer trip and looks like the best of the rest.Race #7
1st - #4 Hazel Trick | 2nd - #5 Summer Song | 3rd - #1 Shelbyann
COMMENTARY : The #4 HAZEL TRICK has an impressive string of works for her debut for an outfit that sends them out ready to go; I like her in this spot but this is a three year old making her first start so there’s obviously been some problems along the way – still approach with caution. The #5 SUMMER SONG finished a solid second going long last time although she had every shot to win; she’ll be in a good spot again today and is the one to fend off but she won’t possess any value at all. The #1 SHELBYANN turned in a big performance last week finishing second at long odds in an expensive maiden claimer; she’s up in class today and running back in nine days but is one that could continue to improve and will possess some VALUE.Race #8
1st - #7 Iceman | 2nd - #3 Spice Trader | 3rd - #2 Harlem
COMMENTARY : The #7 ICEMAN was beaten by a couple of multiple stakes winners in the $50,000 Stellar’s Jay on BC Cup day; the pace scenario favoured him that afternoon and it appears he’ll get another solid pace being set today and with no stakes types in here he’ll have a good shot to get up and win. The #3 SPICE TRADER couldn’t handle the strong pace on BC Cup day and ended up well back; he’s shown that he can stay close to fast splits and still be there at the end and he’ll need that kind of race. The #2 HARLEM turned in a good effort in his latest and might get a perfect trip sitting in behind the speed; big threat !!Race #9
1st - #5 Against The Sky | 2nd - #4 Lord Vic | 3rd - #7 Lend Me An Ear
COMMENTARY : The #5 AGAINST THE SKY looks to be much the best of these marathoners and even though she’s picking up four pounds I don’t think it’ll stop her. The #4 LORD VIC was much better last time out but still needs to be far better to turn the tables on the streaking #5 AGAINST THE SKY. The #7 LEND ME AN EAR probably wasn’t at his best last time and still got fourth money; this is only his third start of the year and I expect him to be more of a threat this afternoon.Race #10
1st - #5 Hunter’s Lad | 2nd - #7 Viable Asset | 3rd - #8 Diego’s Special
COMMENTARY : The #5 HUNTER’S LAD was caught up in a three-ply speed duel last time and he finished well back but with other speed in the race and him likely to settle in behind them I think he’ll be tough to beat today. The #7 VIABLE ASSET was too close to some very fast early fractions and actually held well to be third; he’s ‘live’ in this spot but won’t possess any value. The #8 DIEGO’S SPECIAL is a newcomer to Hastings via Emerald Downs, he ran third in his only distance test and hasn’t found a very tough spot to debut in Vancouver.GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND HAVE A GREAT DAY !!
