Balmoral: Saturday 10/12 Analysis
Race 10 - $20,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Best Bet (50 - 104 / $180.80): BEST MAN HANOVER (7th)
Spot Play: FOX VALLEY TOUCHE (10th)
Race 1
(4) JO JO SPUR takes a big drop in class and just needs a smooth trip. (7) CATMANDO veteran pacer raced gamely last out from a tough post and might be sitting on an even better effort. (10) ZALL GOOD has been very disappointing for the new connections but is one of the faster horses in the race.
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Race 2
(4) UNLOCKED nice-looking colt has had a great year and will be tough to beat; short price. (5) TRAFFIC COP could be the only threat to the top choice and adds lasix for the first time. (1) I BIZEL THE SHIZEL has a lot of upside in the race and has raced big in his last two efforts.
Race 3
In an inconsistent field full of trotters (7) SKYLINE ROAD has the most ability and just needs to stay trotting. (4) HOT ROD RILEY MAE mare owns some back class and will offer a great price. (9) LAZURUS well bred 3-year-old made a break after getting a nice trip but is a five-time winner on the year.
Race 4
(8) SANTANNA LONG LEGS the last mile at Maywood is a lot more impressive than on paper but the well bred gelding is stepping up in competition; threat. (6) IGOTYOURCRAZY 4-year-old only owns one win on the year but paced a big mile last out first time at the track. (9) OHTOBEAVET was an easy winner last out but is saddled with a bad post and will have to work hard to get into the race.
Race 5
In an extremely wide open race on paper (9) KING OF THE JUNGLE is the lone 2-year-old in the race but has been facing the best in the country and could beat the field on talent alone. My only concern is it could be a tune-up around the track for the American National in a few weeks. (1) TOLEDO BEND GATOR three-year-old has some ability, draws the rail, and made up a lot of ground late last out. (8) LUCKY CRUASADER gelding has the best closing ability in the race and could use fast fractions up front to close into.
Race 6
(7) BAZOOKA should offer a big price despite the morning line and has been pacing some sneaky good miles. (10) RED PASSUS gelding was the driver's choice but will need to be closer turning for home to hit the top spot. (1) SMOKE RINGS has a good history at the track and gets sent out for a new trainer.
Race 7
(1a) BEST MAN HANOVER takes a big drop in class and looks to be tough to beat on a fast track. (5) LB'S ALAMERICANJOY has a ton of speed and ability but has been roughed up his last three starts and picks up a driver who isn't very aggressive. (1) TINK AND TIGER is the other half of a very powerful entry and will probably try and race up close to the pace.
Race 8
(3) BRIEF'S BOY owns this class drawing off in two straight. (4) BIG CUZ Indiana bred has some issues but has been putting in some big efforts and should definitely be considered a threat to the top choice. (10) GREG AND FLEX three-year-old has made some money in his career and tries a new spot tonight with a red-hot top driver.
Race 9
(4) IAM BONASERA just like last week when the classy gelding is on his game there's nobody at the track that can pace with him. (5) LUCKY JET well bred stallion comes off a superb qualifier and might not need a start; threat. (3) LENNOX BLUE CHIP lacked his usual burst of speed last week but usually kicks home nicely; use underneath.
Race 10
(6) FOX VALLEY TOUCHE mare has the most gate speed in the race, owns the most back class, and should be very tough to beat if she leaves for the top. (8) COLE BLUE mare has been going some good miles and has been sharp prior to tiring late last out. (4) NO RESPECT mare has won three in a row and gets bumped up in class again.
Race 11
(4) IN OVER MY HEAD has been a really long time since the former Windy City Pace champ has been down at this level. The 7-year-old stallion also adds lasix for the first time; big chance. (10) TEXICAN N gelding is one of the horses that should be watched in warmups. The down under import also adds lasix for the first time and comes off a sterling qualifier. (8) MADEOFF five-year-old pacer beat much better fields here at the track this year but might need an acclimating start back.
Race 12
(6) DON'T WORRY B HAPPY was an easy winner last out circling the field at Maywood and should be much-improved second start back off a layoff. (5) BELL VALLEY BILL just missed at a nice price last out and usually puts a few nice efforts together. (2) MATT THE BRUISER finally gets some post relief and looks to be in line for a good trip up close to the pace.
Race 13
(2) CAMS SAHBRA was raced easy last week coming off a break, but it's all systems go this week and the 6-year-old mare should be considered the horse to beat. (3) DP ANGEL filly is very fast and keeps the top driver. (5) REV ME UP mare is trying a different style from off the pace and just needs a smooth trip to have her nose on the wire.
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