Mike's Race Analysis June 8, 2008
Race #1
1st - #1 Juvee Hall | 2nd - #4 Dream Baby Dream | 3rd - #5 Singing Along
COMMENTARY : The #1 JUVEE HALL looked very good winning her debut in a quick time 1:11.80; she's facing tougher but none of them are particularly sharp right now so I think she can rack up another victory. The #4 DREAM BABY DREAM will add blinkers after her close fourth place finish early last month; the equipment change may stop her from trying to get out a bit on the turns which she did in that loss. She's the lone speed; very dangerous. The #5 SINGING ALONG was a distant second with a little easier company but if a few of these fillies try chasing the pace then she has a shot for the EXACTOR or TRIACTOR.Race #2
1st - #5 Usher Inc. | 2nd - #7 Till The Storm | 3rd - #6 Seminole Brave
COMMENTARY : The #5 USHER INC. was very impressive in his second start as he was far more of a professional and did everything in his victory; there isn't much pace in here so he should get a perfect trip so he looks very good in this dash. The #7 TILL THE STORM ran a better-than-looked race in the $50,000 Province Stakes beaten a little more than three lengths; he's in with easier and should be more of a factor; Value Play !! The #6 SEMINOLE BRAVE can't seem to get a maiden race to fill so he's up against winners again today but after watching his latest he certainly fits with this calibre.Race #3
1st - #4 Distorted Glamour | 2nd - #3 Kwik | 3rd - #7 Zoomington
COMMENTARY : The #4 DISTORTED GLAMOUR is an interesting newcomer that has a solid work tab for his Hastings debut and with no real standout in the race; he was bet down to 6-1 in his first start last September and that race seemed to be a productive one with at least two next out winners so I think this well-bred four year old has a great shot today. The # 3 KWIK had a rough trip in his latest with no-tag maidens so with him moving inside and dropping down in class he has a strong chance of taking this bunch wire-to-wire at a short price. The #7 ZOOMINGTON turned in some solid sprints last fall with maiden allowance types so I'll give him a shot to hit the board.Race #4
1st - #8 Surgical Strike | 2nd - #3 Newton's Rule | 3rd - #7 Alferrari
COMMENTARY : The #8 SURGICAL STRIKE was caught up on a fast and contested pace in his comeback race at the $8,000 level so with him down in price and looking like the lone speed I think he can take them all the way on the head end at a decent price. The #3 NEWTON'S RULE is an honest sort that had a good winter in Northern Cal; he has an excellent work tab and a strong chance in this heat. The #7 ALFERRARI disappointed as the 8-5 favourite in his most recent race and the front bandages surfaced for the first time which is a cause for concern. I wouldn't be surprised to see him win but I have to play against him off of his last race.
Race #5
1st - #4 Goingonarampage | 2nd - # 6 Market Flair | 3rd - #8 Cagey Curt
COMMENTARY : The #4 GOINGONARAMPAGE battled hard on a quick pace last time out and with this race coming up light for early speed I think he has a good chance of taking them all the way on the lead. The #6 MARKET FLAIR had to need a start after being off for two years; he's down in price today and should be more of a factor. The #8 CAGEY CURT had a wide trip in his latest and if he can save a bit of ground then he has a shot as well in this wide open dash.
Race #6
1st - #5 Yankee George | 2nd - #10 The Saratoga Four | 3rd - #6 Billy Ghost
COMMENTARY : The #2 YANKEE GEORGE got caught up on a pretty quick pace last time and he was nailed in deep stretch as the 4-5 favourite; there's other early speed in the lineup and I expect him to let the speed go and sit the trip in behind them and he'll be tough from there.The #10 THE SARATOGA FOUR is one of those aforementioned speed horses that did show that he can go extremely fast early and still hang around so I think he last the longest of the speed runners. The #6 BILLY GHOST benefited from a pace duel last time and almost got up to win but had to settle for the runner-up cheque; it was just his first career start so I expect him to improve enough to threaten for the win.
Race #7
1st - #2 Stouthearted | 2nd - #6 Joy Of The Lord | 3rd - #5 Exploding
COMMENTARY : The #2 STOUTHEARTED took the blinkers off and improved a ton in his last outing winning with authority so with a pile of speed runners signed on for this dash I like him to sit the trip just behind the pace and I think a repeat performance gets him the money again today. The #6 JOY OF THE LORD was on a demanding pace in his Hastings debut and held well for the victory' there is other speed in here but he may be the fastest so if he can shake loose early then he has a good shot of repeating. The #5 EXPLODING had a wide trip in his first start with winners but he's drawn better for his style and should be more of a factor this afternoon.Race #8
1st - #6 Afleet B's | 2nd - #5 Whatwerewethinking | 3rd - #3 You'rejustlikeme
COMMENTARY : The #6 AFLEET B'S is right back in for the same price where she got her sixth consecutive win and with a quick and contested pace likely to occur it's tough to against her. The #5 WHATWEREWETHINKING is making her first in Vancouver after competing on the tough Southern California circuit; she has good works and could be the one with the best chance to knock off the #6 AFLEET B'S. The #3 YOU'REJUSTLIKEME put away the favoured Badgett's Star on the front end last time but couldn't hold off my top pick and with another lively pace looking probable it's tough to give her anymore than third money.
Race #9
1st - #1 And All That Jazz | 2nd - #6 Bad Sneakers | 3rd - #3 Roscoe Pito
COMMENTARY : The #1 AND ALL THAT JAZZ ran extremely well in his '08 debut staying close to the razor-sharp Bank Emblem (in the Stake on Saturday) for five furlongs before getting a little tired. He has the best speed and the rail and is facing a much easier test so I like him today. The #6 BAD SNEAKERS gets a little class relief today after tackling the best on the grounds in his first two starts of '08; good chance to rebound this afternoon with a better result especially if the #7 TANGO MANGO pesters my top selection. The #3 ROSCOE PITO is a tough one to gauge as he's won all 10 of his races in wire-to-wire fashion (he won't get the lead today) but he's getting his easiest assignment since his three year old season and worked well so perhaps at this price he can put in a good off-the-pace run.
Race #10
1st - #4 El Sinaloense | 2nd - #5 Any Sunday | 3rd - #8 What R The Odds
COMMENTARY : The #4 EL SINALOENSE was in trouble early in his debut and did well to gain the runner-up spot; most horses break far better second time out and if he breaks with the field he should win. The #5 ANY SUNDAY is bred to be quick (half brother to the speedy Celt) and has some quick drills in the a.m. for her debut; connections are good with young stock so expect her to be 'live' at first asking. The #8 WHAT R THE ODDS has some nice morning works as well and draws a perfect post for this short dash for the cash.
Race #11
1st - #1 Harvard Grad | 2nd - #5 Affiniti One | 3rd - #4 Saratoga Avenue
COMMENTARY : The #1 HARVARD GRAD had a brutal trip in his debut and still only was beaten by two lengths so how much best was he ?? He was claimed out of that race and steps up one notch so if he's a little luckier today he should get the victory although drawing the rail could be tricky for him. The #5 AFFINITI ONE went to Seattle to get a start and ended up third; he showed some ability last fall and with a quick pace looming I think he'll be a factor in the closing stages. The #4 SARATOGA AVENUE is back in for a tag after a disappointing run with no-tag maidens; he'll get a set of blinkers and a little easier competition this afternoon so I look for him to improve.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND ENJOY THE AFTERNOON !!!