Harrah's Hoosier Park: Analysis for Friday 10/30

BEST BET: SISTER SLEDGE (5th)
SPOT PLAY: CAPTAIN COREY (10th)
Race 8: $20K GTD Pick 4 Ticket: 3,4,5,9 / 5,10 / 7 / 1,3,5,9 = $16
Race 12: $40K GTD Pick 4 Ticket: 5,7,9 / 4,7 / 2,3 / 4,6,10,11 = $24

Race 1: $10,000/$15,000 Clm. Hcp. - Pick 5

(3) MESSI N switched barns and tapped into his class with a huge mile. In a field that lacks early speed, the jump up in class might not matter if he gets away soft. (4) SURREAL ART moves into a barn scoring at a 31% rate so a wake-up call has to be within reach. (7) BAY RUM is another switching barns and he has plenty of good performances against similar company. (5) THE OPTIMIST steps up the ladder for the third straight week after two convincing wins.

Race 2: 3-Year-Old Filly Trot

(1) SPIRIT OF DEO has put in some solid races this year and now moves into the Erv Miller stable. I wouldn't be shocked if she put in a career-best mile. (5) CHAMPAGNE ON ICE also gets a barn change here. She been sharp and should prove tough. (3) BELLA MAGNIFICA came up with the best mile of her life last week. Maybe she is blossoming?

Race 3: Non-winners 4 races or $45,000 life - Pick 4

(5) SHE'SGOTITGOINGON qualified back sharply after missing time and faces many younger foes, including my second and third pick. That the connections are calling on Chris Page to drive is a huge positive sign. (10) CHEEK PLEASE starts from the second tier on a seven-eighths track, which is not ideal, but her big closing kick means she only needs to be in reasonable striking position to win. (1) SEVENTIMESACHARM is 0-for-14 on the year yet might be able to control this race dropping out of stakes action.

Race 4: Non-winners 2 races or $25,000 life

(1) ROLL WITH TIME lands in the best spot he has seen in some time and gets no excuses this week. (7) FOOLS RUSH IN has posted some good miles in this class and is clearly a threat with a decent trip. (9) FRANKIEPARK has ability but is stuck in post nine and comes off a break. (6) ODDS ON BREXIT could fire out in this spot. Is he fast enough?

Race 5: 3-Year-Old Filly Trot

(2) SISTER SLEDGE is way down in company tonight and really should take this group to task. (8) SHISHITO looked good wiring the field here last week; threat if she can get a clean trip. (7) GUINEVERE HALL chased #8 home nicely last time. On her best, with a decent trip, she can play with these.

Race 6: Non-winners $3,001 in last 4 or $850 p/s in 2020 - Pick 5

(1) FOOLS DESIRE comes off a big mile and shouldn't miss a beat with Dunn taking over the reins. (3) EDDARD HANOVER is the type of horse who only shows up when he feels like it, but on a good day he trounces this field. (4) SIRODSDALICRICKETT has two recent starts against somewhat similar company and finished first and second. (10) THE THUNDER ROLLS raced well in his first start for the new barn; chance with a trip from the second-tier.

Race 7: Non-winners $6,001 in last 4 or $1,600 p/s in 2020

In a field where almost any of the 10 has at least an outside chance, (1) THREEOFTHEBEST A gets class relief in his second start back from a break and figures to show more for a high percentage barn. (4) GENERAL DOLAN has the early speed to make some noise and picks up a Hall of Fame driver. (7) NEVER SAY NEVER N has poor form as he drops out of tougher races. Will that perk him up? (8) RISING TO THE TOP has some form and only needs a smooth trip to be involved.

Race 8: Breeders Crown 2YO Filly Trot - $20K GTD Pick 4

(3) SPLASH BLUE CHIP comes into this final with just one win in eight starts. While that doesn't exactly get the blood pumping, take note that she has never lost a race by more than 1 1/2 lengths. The E L Titan-sired filly is always right there and she's well-drawn for a barn that excels with getting a horse to peak for the right moment. I'll take the price and hope for improvement. (5) LADY CHAOS is the best filly in the field and the one to beat in my opinion. My major issue is that she won't offer fair value. (4) MAZZARATI certainly looked the past in last week's elimination. I'm not ready to jump on for the ride. (9) GOTTA BELIEVE surprised with a sharp mile in her elimination and I was strongly considering using her on top before the draw came out.

Race 9: Non-winners $6,001 in last 4 or $1,600 p/s in 2020

(5) BOILING OAR finally gets a good post to work with for a barn that sends out tons of winners. I'll be shocked if he doesn't bring a big effort. (10) MCTHRILLER finds an easier group and has some early speed in front of him to make sure he gets away close from the second-tier. (1) DO WORK SON has finished second or third 17 times while avoiding any wins this year. Maybe Gingras in the bike will make a difference.

Race 10: Breeders Crown 2YO Colt Trot - Jackpot Pick 6

(7) CAPTAIN COREY suffered his first career defeat after chasing slow fractions in the elimination. This has been the goal all season and the thought of getting 7-5 on him is very enticing. (3) IN RANGE rarely throws in a bad race. He should be able to get around the inside two and work out a sweet trip. (5) VENERATE is as talented as any horse in the field but did get away with cheap fractions in his elimination. I’m not in his corner as the potential favorite. (4) ON A STREAK can't be faulted for charging home in 26 3/5 last week, his first start in four weeks. I may use him on some tickets for a barn that knows how to train a trotter in big races.

Race 11: 3-Year-Old Filly Pace - Pick 5

(5) MCMARKLE SPARKLE chased nicely in a fast mile here on October 22. Prior to that she had an outside post versus older foes and faced stakes company. This is the perfect spot if trainer Jim Arledge Jr. has her ready. (3) SEADOG LADY is another taking the plunge down from stakes races for the strong team of Burke/Gingras. (1) MAGGIE RHEE seems to have gone a bit sour in recent weeks but is certainly fast enough to play here if on her game. (9) ROCK IT OUT adds Dexter Dunn and could pick up her game in a hurry. (4) THE BETHINATOR has done nothing since changing barns against older foes. She might be worth a look on the track in the post parade.

Race 12: Breeders Crown 2YO Filly Pace - $40K GTD Pick 4

(7) FIRE START HANOVER was used on the lead into the wind and really can't be faulted for coming up short. Somebeachsomewhere filly has the early speed to make the front and sit no worse than a pocket trip. (5) SCARLET HANOVER displayed early speed, came uncovered and battled right through the wire in her elimination. She's really been as good as any of these this year. (9) NOTORIOUS PINK went the fastest half and three-quarters from all 12 Breeders Crown elimination races, including the 3-year-old filly pacers. She's a serious contender at a price, with post 9 the only deterrent to making her the top pick. (3) CAVIART AUDREY was under a tight hold in the pocket and came up empty in the stretch last Friday. She clearly either tied-up or blocked her air from my perspective. If trainer Nancy Takter can solve the problem, she can win. (2) JK ALWAYSBALADY lured Gingras off #3, so read whatever you'd like into that. For me, I'm not using this gal on top as I think she'll need too much to go her way to win.

Race 13: 3-Year-Old Filly Pace

(4) MYSTICAL CARRIE went a monster mile in the Circle City last time and a repeat effort would place her in the winner's circle. (7) MARLOE HANOVER comes off a huge performance of her own and should be very competitive. (5) GENIE ROCKWELL seems to be a step behind the top pair but could get the job done with the right setup.

Race 14: Breeders Crown 2YO Colt Pace

(2) PERFECT STING blew away his competition in last week's elimination and won a race he had no business winning two starts back at The Red Mile. First-crop son of Always B Miki is the clear one to beat as he tries to increase his record of perfection to 10-for-10. (3) SOUTHWIND GENDRY has been almost as good as the top one in 2020 with a 9-for-11 record. This is the match-up we've been waiting for and if you can somehow get 2-1 on him versus 3-5 on #2, I couldn't fault you for taking a shot. (10) LITERL LAD HANOVER sprinted home in 25 2/5 last time with no chance and raced very well from off the pace three starts back. If he can set up shop with five or six lengths of the lead and latch onto cover, he can be a player at big odds. (6) SUMMA CUM LAUDE hasn't been able to get by Perfect Sting yet, but he's got early speed to gain position and will be right there if either of the top two have an off night.

Race 15: Non-winners $6,001 in last 4 or $1,600 p/s in 2020 - $20K GTD Hi-5

(6) SANDY’S BEACH gets an interesting barn change to Tyler George here as she ships from the east coast to a track planning to close in a few weeks; hmmm. (11) IT'S TIME FOR FUN is a great fit in this race and only needs to figure out a trip from the second-tier to be a player. (10) UP FRONT FLOR IDA finds herself in the same boat as #11, in a good spot in terms of competition but stuffed in the second-tier. (4) QUITE A SIGHT hooks up with her favorite driver from a favorable post and should be put in play.