Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Friday 10/9

Through Sept. 13 – 50 days - Top Selections - Overall
Win %: 272 for 702 (38.7%) ITM: 497 for 702 (70.8%)
Win Dividends: $1,191.50 $2 ROI: $1.70
Pick-4: 2,6/2,7/3,7,8/3,7 ($12)
Best Bet: Sunny Crockett (Race 6)
Spot Play: Starvin Marvin (Race 9)

Race 1 - Liberty Bell (PA-sired 2yo colts and geldings)

1 - MYSWEETBOYMAX was a pocket winner in July, and since chased evenly for minors in stakes assignments throughout the state. This group shapes up as a big easier to handle; pole keeps him close with ease. 8 - SOMEWHEREINVERONA qualified sharply at Pocono last week after a 1:52 mile proved insufficient in his Keystone split. He's amply fast; wide draw is his big obstacle. 7 - ALWAYS B SWEET won locally three back, and since used a :25 4/5 closing sectional to claim second in a Kindergarten prelim. Strong presser-stalker option.

Race 2 - Non-Winners $4,000 Last 5 Starts

1 - WHAT CHAPTER pressed hard into a head-stretch lead in his last, only to be collared up the pegs by Cajole Hanover. Similar await coming back; the pole should yield an easier task. 3 - CASA PALMERA improved steadily into a no-match third last week after toiling against even tougher before that. Further class relief can help her achieve further improvement. 6 - REMARKABLE DE VIE chased from the pocket and off cover alike to hit the board at big odds twice in his last three. Improving raw speed of late is a plus; solid roughie option in exotics.

Race 3 - Liberty Bell (PA-sired 2yo colts and geldings)

6 - FLEMSTEEN lifted into second in the Commonwealth final at Lexington after chasing for minors in preliminary outings. While still a maiden, he boasts strong staying power and has only ever missed the board once. Capable. 4 - LINDYS GOIN CRAZY won his first two Stallion Series outings before meeting his match later in the series - but still showing up enough to hit the ticket. Consistently able to set or stalk the pace and yield good results. 2 - CAPSTONE just missed from an earned pocket in the Keystone after calling the shots in a narrow defeat on debut. Lightly-raced Svanstedt trainee won't have to work as hard in the early going.

Race 4 - Non-Winners 1 Race

5 - PACK UP AND GO nearly lasted under pressure last week, but was just nabbed in the final yards. Nap's choice was second in his last four tries at this course and class. 2 - BORN FREE DE VIE looks to rebound from an early break in his last. He showed good stalking and closing ability in previous outings; draw keeps him close to the early action. 8 - GALVESTON made strong inroads from off the pace last week to just miss. He's becoming an even stronger closer; still, closer cover seems to be his best chance.

Race 5 - Non-Winners $7,000 Last 5 Starts

4 - BRANDON HANOVER drops from high-level claimers to this third-level field, draws comfortably, and gains Napolitano. He showed pacesetting and deep closing ability alike in late-summer outings. 3 - IDEAL WHEEL toiled from an earned pocket last week, but he still turned in a 1:52 mile. He won out of post 8 at this class three back. 7 - JUST PLAIN LOCO moves laterally on arrival from Freehold, where a rearward trip cost him all chance. He showed better staying power on three turns. 2 - MR CENSI drops after even finishes were insufficient with tougher, and 6 - ALL HANDS ON DECK passed the tired to save fifth in a similar field on Sunday.

Race 6 - Liberty Bell (PA-sired 2yo colts and geldings)

1 - SUNNY CROCKETT was a no-match second at Delaware in his last after proving a steady threat in the Stallion Series. Back to restricted company; form and speed edges noted. 5 - CLANCY'S BAR finally broke maiden last week after chasing for minors in PA stakes all season. Good roughie option. 3 - GOOGOO ON STAGE makes just his third career start after lifting to reach on Sept. 16. There's on doubt that he's good off a helmet.

Race 7 - Non-Winners 1 Race

6 - GRAN PARAISO has improved markedly in the past couple months - he's chased to hit the board in four of his last five outings. Similar await; current trajectory gives him the edge. 2 - MIDNIGHT CITY figures to be close with ease via this inside draw. He held OK for minors in recent outings; easier yet await today. 5 - JOE EXOTIC overcame a break to save fourth last week after regressing steadily in his prior try. A flat start makes him a logical minor player.

Race 8 - Liberty Bell (PA-sired 2yo colts and geldings)

2 - CAPT JACK HANOVER is one of five maidens in this field, but seems well equipped to pounce here given his run of top-three finishes in significantly tougher stakes assignments. The outside pair are his main adversaries today; cosy draw can give him the early jump. Corey's choice. 7 - SWEET ANGEL BOY won his Keystone division two back in going-away fashion, but he had the aid of an easy pocket. Wide draw gives this minor stakes player an added challenge. 6 - CAPTAIN SLEAZE chased home well in two Kindergarten prelims at The Meadowlands after being overmatched on the PASS circuit. Still, with the right circumstances, he fits and plays in exotics.

Race 9 - Non-Winners $10,000 Last 5 Starts

7 - CRIMSON AND CHROME broke on the far turn on Sunday and lost all chance as such. He did beat tougher four and six back, from on and off the pace alike. This kinder spot can be just enough to refresh him. 8 - STARVIN MARVIN didn't lack for late pace against tougher in his last three, but racing room was at a premium. He has the ability to land close from wide draws, but he'll need a clearer journey. Solid price play. 3 - SOMEWHERE FANCY was gathered in after working hard to clear the lead last out. Post relief should minimise early exertion; can bounce.

Race 10 - Liberty Bell (PA-sired 2yo colts and geldings)

This Liberty Bell division shapes up as a showdown between a pair of three-time winners, and both present credible cases. 7 - CHASE H HANOVER is my top call after he parried pressure for a 1:51 1/5 win over the half-mile track at Delaware on the Jug undercard. He's only missed the exacta once in his life! His two-move effort to claim second in the PASS final really impressed me. 3 - WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH has the edge in terms of late closing power, as is evident by multiple sub-:27 closing sectionals. Post edge can keep him close with ease; last week's qualifier should serve to sharpen him up. 6 - CRUNCH HANOVER was engulfed at odds-on in his Kindergarten prelim, but he showed better amid less taxing paces or while able to stalk cosily.

Race 11 - Liberty Bell (PA-sired 2yo colts and geldings)

6 - LEPANTO held narrowly to win the Stallion Series final after wiring his foes twice in preliminary action. He figures to control the terms yet again. 4 - CEFFYL DWR rose to N3L company last week and rallied well from astern for a good second at that level. Improving finisher. 1 - PILOT HANOVER gave way under sustained pressure last out, but won powerfully two and four back. Cosy draw keeps him sharp throughout.

Race 12 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

3 - BANG BANG BOINGA flattened after an attempted bid off the home turn last week, but he chased well for second at this level both two and three back. Capable presser-stalker needs clear sailing for best. 1 - KHEDIVE failed to fire from the pocket at double digits in his last two, but can benefit from a perfect inside draw in this softer N3L group. 4 - PROTEAS made a three-wide push on the far turn last week before flattening. Better cover can help him reach for a share; mind value.

Race 13 - F&M Non-Winners 1 Race

8 - MAJOR NIGHT OUT left for the pocket, was shuffled, and emerged out of traffic to just miss at 9-2 in a N2L event at Pocono last out. Before that, she was second via a pair of pacesetting efforts - both here and at Yonkers. Speed and form edges duly noted; lots to like about this filly. 1 - OK LETS ROCKNROLL bounced back pretty well last week and stayed on for fourth after finding cover up the far side. Pole can land her closer this time around. 5 - LYNNLY'S MOM hit the ticket in three of five, from pressing and stalking roles alike. Her sustained first-over grind last week is encouraging; can build from there.

Race 14 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

4 - TERRITORY almost made it on arrival on Sunday after holding his ground in a N2L at Pocono. Stakes-tested gelding has hit the board in at least his last six; versatility noted. 5 - P-DRIVE HANOVER won from an earned pocket two back and since saved third out of traffic on the rise to this level. Solid stayer if able to avoid the breeze. 1 - PADDY ALL DAY passed tired foes for the last cheque on Sunday. This kinder draw should help him land closer from the outset.