Mike's Race Analysis September 19, 2008

Race #1

1st  -  #4 Columbia Orchid | 2nd  -  #5 Agleron | 3rd  -  #6 Enjoyingthefreedom

COMMENTARY : The #4 COLUMBIA ORCHID hails from a top barn and has solid works which is enough to make her a major threat in this soft spot. The #5 AGLERON is another first timer that could be 'live' in his debut; works indicate readiness. The #6 ENJOYINGTHEFREEDOM has a good post for this race and also has the experience edge as well but his 'value' will not likely be all that appealing.  

Race #2

1st   -  #2 Harvard Grad | 2nd  -  #3 Lennylooksgood | 3rd  -  #6 Regal Corona

COMMENTARY : The #2 HARVARD GRAD has been competitive with better and will probably be vey tough to beat on the class drop today; he doesn't have great gate speed which puts him in tougher spots early but I think he'll overcome any problems and get the win against this group. The #3 LENNYLOOKSGOOD is taking a big jump up in price for his 'much awaited' first start for his new connections; he's been working like he's an improved horse so it'll be interesting to see how he fares this afternoon. The #6 REGAL CORONA seemed better with the addition of Lasix in his last race and if he can get a bit of a pace duel set in front of him he'll have a better shot.

Race #3

1st   -  #3 Arrivee Arrivee | 2nd  -  #5 Nuclear Prospect | 3rd  -  #2 Socks On Socks Off

COMMENTARY : The #3 ARRIVEE ARRIVEE was very game in his maiden victory and was claimed out of that race; he's turned in a couple of excellent works and is a strong wire-to-wire threat again today. The #5 NUCLEAR PROSPECT defeated most of these last time out and is definitely the one to beat. The #2 SOCKS OSOCKS OFF had a good trip last time out and ran on well to be second; he needs to improve to get more than second money today; solid Triactor play.

Race #4

1st   -  #4 She's Nobodys Fool | 2nd  - #8 Darlene That Rowdy | 3rd  -  #7 Star Jasmine

COMMENTARY : The #4 SHE'S NOBODYS FOOL just missed at this level last time out and will likely just need a repeat effort to get the winner's cheque tonight. The #8 DARLENE THAT ROWDY is making only her second start of the season and really didn't run very well in her first but I have a feeling that she'll be better at this longer trip; good works since last race. The #`7 STAR JASMINE was far back in her first try going long but she bled and goes on Lasix today so I'm willing to give her another shot in this soft spot.

Race #5

1st   -  #8 Top Dis N That | 2nd  -  #2 Nights Radiance | 3rd  -  #1 Wannabe A Star

COMMENTARY : The #8 TOP DIS N THAT will be refitted in blinkers after a failed experiment without them; his best races have been in blinkers and he should get a lively pace to run at so I'll side with him in this tough race to read. The #2 NIGHTS RADIANCE is the only other off-the-pace runner in the this dash that features no less than seven speed horses in it; pretty much by default he has to be in the top three. The #1 WANNABE A STAR broke flat footed last week and had to be used pretty hard to get the lead and it cost him late as he ended up a non-factor in a race where he was expected to be a major threat; he'll add blinkers and get back in with his own age group which will help although this will be a big challenge with all the other early speed in the lineup.

Race #6

1st   -  #8 Peacebethejourney | 2nd  -  #4 Avalanche Bay | 3rd  -  #3 Classy Vixen

COMMENTARY : The #8 PEACEBETHEJOURNEY hasn't been able to get on the same roll that she got on last year which saw her visit the winners' circle five times; she's hit rock bottom today and really doesn't find much opposition so she should get that winning feeling back again today. The #4 AVALANCHE BAY is the main off-the-pace threat and should be running well late. The #3 CLASSY VIXEN was very good in her return to the races finishing second and she looks to be the best of the rest.

Race #7

1st   -  #3 Victim Of Love | 2nd  -  #2 Sly Striker | 3rd  -  #1 Diligent Prospect

COMMENTARY : The #3 VICTIM OF LOVE was buried on the inside of a wicked pace duel last time out but he's likely to get a favourable trip today which should lead to a top effort from him this evening. The #2 SLY STRIKER isn't the most consistent guy around but he's very capable under the right conditions and I think he'll get a good trip today. The #1 DILIGENT PROSPECT was given a tough task last time and is in a better spot today and I'm willing to give him another shot with a race under his belt earlier this year here at Hastings.

Race #8

1st   -  #7 Afleet Mac | 2nd  -  #6 Bocephus | 3rd  -  #3 Brave Irish

COMMENTARY : The #7 AFLEET MAC is making a big drop in class and even though his form hasn't been very good his numbers are still better than most in here and with him likely to get into a better spot early against these guys I think he'll be tough to beat. The #6 BOCEPHUS has had a couple of brutal trips since getting his maiden win taken away from him; if my top pick doesn't improve then this guy is the logical play. The #3 BRAVE IRISH is the best off-the-pace threat in this dash and if the pace scenario is to his liking then he has a great shot to win all the money.  

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON-LINE AND ENJOY YOUR FRIDAY EVENING AT HASTINGS  !!!!