Balmoral: Saturday 5/9 Analysis
Race 9 - $15,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Best Bet (19 - 26 / $72.40): LUCPARK (9th)
Spot Play: SOUTHWIND SCORPION (3rd)
Race 1
(5) DELIGHT FASHION well bred 3-year-old has been improving and looks ready to take the next step forward. (9) DUPAGE'S Z TAM had a solid freshman campaign and comes into the race off an excellent qualifier. (3) COMECATCHME was the driver's choice and has room to improve.
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Race 2
(3) CHARMING MACIE filly raced well from a tough post last start and should offer value in an evenly matched race. (2) BULL INVESTOR flashed some ability in the qualifier but has yet to put it all together. (4) LET'S BE HONEST well bred trotter is the fastest in the race but gets sent out for a suspect provisional pilot; command a price.
Race 3
(7) SOUTHWIND SCORPION needs a smooth trip from a low percentage driver, however the 4-year-old is facing a much easier bunch than recent. (1) TOUCH THE SKY owns a good burst of speed and should be much closer turning for home. (6) LITTLE HANK is probably the horse to beat but rarely wins; use caution.
Race 4
(5) HUDSON JESSE trotting mare put in a huge first start back and should improve. (6) JUSTICE JET four-year-old is on a roll but will have to go another tough trip; short price. (2) MASTER OF EXCUSES has really came a long way and wasn't far off the top two choices last week.
Race 5
In a field full of question marks (4) GET THE TERROR was the driver's choice and when right has been competitive at this level. (5) FOX VALLEY RUBY takes a significant drop in class and will be used aggressively. (2) MISS PAT WEISAR was also the driver's choice and gets sent out for capable connections off a sneaky good qualifier.
Race 6
(8) SAGE RUCK will look to drop and pop and has shown recent signs of a better effort. (7) SPEED RACER took a big step up last out racing gamely. The pacer is a threat but needs a smooth trip. (9) HEADSUP YANKEE pacer could be primed for a better effort third start back off the layoff.
Race 7
In a field with few contenders (6) WHY ASK WHY owns tons of ability and just needs to be closer turning for home. (7) ROCKIN' COUGAR was the driver's choice which is significant; threat. (9) JACKSON'S IMAGE was an easy winner against similar last out; threat.
Race 8
(4) FORT SILKY has been outkicked in four straight races but faces weaker. (6) BEST MAN HANOVER made a break for no apparent reason last out costing him the victory. The pacer is a threat against this bunch if he minds his manners. (3) PREEMPTIVE BID gelding faces stiff competition and is best used underneath.
Race 9
(7) LUCPARK makes his second start back off a big first effort and gets a chance to stamp himself early as the favorite for the division. (1) ROCKIN CASSINOVA should be primed for a better effort third start back off a long layoff. (4) DIXIE'S BOY was the driver's choice of four but will need to step his game up.
Race 10
(9) WASHINGTON HANOVER gets sent out for a recent hot barn and should offer value even dropping in class. (1) EXTRAVAGANT ART also drops in class and will be used aggressively from the rail. (3) RICKY BOBBIE pacer is racing gamely and gets a much better starting post.
Race 11
(5) CAMWISER is tough to go against looking to make it four wins in a row at this level. (4) BET ON HIM picks up a huge driver change and is versatile. (8) AJ GET'S THE MONEY races inconsistent from week to week but a good effort puts him in the mix.
Race 12
(9) ROCK N KILO is 0 for year but raced well last out; threat. (10) JOVANNA needs a good setup but finds a really weak field. (5) ONE JAZZY LADY mare drops back down in for a tag and will be firing early; vulnerable late.
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