Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Friday 12/18

2020 Statistics (through Nov. 15 – 86 days)
Top Selections – Overall:
Win %: 450 for 1,194 (37.7%) ITM: 847 for 1,194 (70.9%)
Win Dividends: $1,988.10 - $2 ROI: $1.67
Pick-4: 3,6/1,2,6/1,6,8/1,5 ($18)
Best Bet: Father Dunn (Race 4)
Spot Play: Vapour N (Race 8)

Race 1 - Claiming $10,000

Both 1 - MYIDEALSON N and 4 - OFFICIAL DELIGHT seek back-to-back wins at the $10k level, but Myidealson N did significantly more work to reach in his heat on Dec. 13. He's hit the board in three straight, and the pole keeps him close to the action with ease again. Official Delight was a tick faster in his win two days before, but he had the benefit of a cosy pocket ride the whole way. Nap ops to stay aboard for Garcia; mind value. 7 - DRAGONOLOGY dropped to $10k company last week and saved third after being shuffled up the far side. Clear sailing can help him improve; live flow would suit him better given OK but not overwhelming staying power. Tim's choice.

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Race 2 - Non-Winners $4,260 Last 5 Starts

1 - YANKEE OSBORNE won from an earned pocket on debut for Cassar last week, and now steps up gently while paralleled by three of his rivals. Pole can keep him sharper yet late in the mile. 7 - ACTON HANOVER also seeks back-to-back wins after pouncing from an earned pocket. The wide draw's another obstacle he'll have to contend with, but he did demonstrate ample leaving ability two and three back. There's ability, to be sure. 8 - ROCK N ROW was mired in traffic last week, but only missed Bicorne Hanover by two lengths at hefty odds. Clear sailing can make him a big player in deeper exotics.

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Race 3 - Claiming $10,000

5 - BUSBOY HANOVER may give up an overall raw speed edge to a few others in this group, but he held his ground stoutly under sustained pressure to win last Friday. Also note he paced his last three quarters in 1:25 4/5, three-fifths of a second faster than the other likely pacesetting candidate in this field. 3 - ALWAYS B MAGIC keeps Tetrick after nearly lasting on the lead last week and pressing into a no-match second against bottom-level foes the start before. On the improve. 2 - SUCHASENSEOFHUMOR lifted at big odds to just miss Myidealson N on Sunday, but be aware he made all of his ground in the slowest quarter of the race. His improving staying power is still cause to include him as a value option in deeper exotics.

Race 4 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

2 - FATHER DUNN circled three-wide and sprinted off at Yonkers last week, and now bumps up gently to N3L company amid a surge of success. The addition of Lasix has markedly helped his staying power. Lots to like off that dominant win and renewed form. 1 - ITSONLYMONEYHONEY found the switch to three turns very much to his liking last week, as was evident by a strong middle move and comfortable enough win at this level. Pole keeps the Iowa-bred right where he likes to be; he's finished first or second in two-thirds of his career outings. 8 - ALL CASHED OUT figured well as a value candidate in exotics given his chasing efforts to save third out of mid-division in two local tries at the level. Wide draw is his greatest obstacle, but tri and super players can stand to be justly rewarded if he can overcome it.

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

6 - LINDYTHEFOURTEENTH is a credible value key in today's Hi-5. He's definitely got stalking and closing ability, and there's a fair bit of speed and potential for pressure among his inside rivals. 2 - JK MUSICMAN rises after a pillar-to-post score in his last, and it's worth noting that, before said win, he hit the board in three of four at this level from a variety of trips. Versatile and consistent player. 8 - BICORNE HANOVER likewise rises from a second-level win. He's coming into his own for Bongiorno after struggling a bit in the fall. Trending upward. 5 - RANDOM HANOVER looks to rebound from a failed pressing bid, and 3 - MR PROFETA can benefit from significant post relief.

Race 6 - Non-Winners $4,200 Last 5 Starts

1 - LINDY'S BIG BANG rises after brushing and parrying pressure on debut. Nap opts to remain on the 19-time winner. 4 - MAJOR IMPACT rose to this level last Friday and chased well from a stalking trip to only miss the classy Golden Son by a length. Reunited with Tim. 3 - KNIGHTOFVICTORY has been known to show up late in the mile a time or three and serious spice up exotics. Last week, he rolled down the outside to just miss at 76-1. He gets over this track particularly well, at least historically.

Race 7 - Non-Winners $2,500 Last 5 Starts

3 - MITCH MAGUIRE N dropped to this level on arrival last week, and made the majority of the pace in a game second. His last Philly appearance prior to that was a front-end third-level win. Horses for courses, maybe? 6 - I GET THAT drops a level after lifting to just miss Bicorne Hanover last week. Expect sharper in his third start back since August; improvement noted. Mind value, though. 8 - TRUMP THAT passed the tired from astern in his last two at M1. Class relief can aid - he did win soundly in his last try with similar six back.

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Race 8 - Non-Winners $10,000 Last 5 Starts

1 - JACK'S SHADOW N was victimised by traffic trouble in his Dec. 6 outing, and now he seeks to benefit from further class relief. The 17-time winner rallied off cover to beat two levels tougher than this one back in October; capable with his best, for sure. 6 - SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN failed to fire off cover in hist first start back in two months, but was caught wide for pretty much the entire journey. Easier await; expect sharper second out from the classy 5-year-old. 2 - VAPOUR N has performed better at this level and just above than a 12-1 morning line would otherwise suggest. In four of his last five starts, he's been able to land close to the pace and stay on enough to hit the board. Solid stalker is as logical a value player in exotics as you'll find anywhere.

Race 9 - Non-Winners $7,000 Last 5 Starts

8 - SEEYOU AT THEBEACH made an uncharacteristic break on his way to push the pace last week, but he fared quite well at this level and above in two starts before. Stakes-tested colt gets another crack at third-level types after being sent off at twos-on on Sunday. 6 - ON ACCIDENT worked to gain early control in a similar race on Friday, and was only beaten by a length after facing direct pressure on the final turn. Minor success a level above this one encourages, too. 1 - TOM'S TWILIGHT pressed well and held third in a similar group last out. Staying ability - in the breeze and off cover alike - is a definite plus. Can share.

Race 10 - Non-Winners $4,260 Last 5 Starts

5 - WARRAWEE VELOCE drops mightily from N5L events, where he chased for minor placings behind tough contenders such as Full Send. This group is significantly easier by comparison. 1 - DEALMAKER lifted out of mid-division to almost convert at 13-1 las week, and he's been fourth or better in six straight races, now. Pole keeps him close with ease. 6 - FEELING CAM LUCKY gets an absolute pass for his last at Yonkers, owing to one move out of post 8 to land in midfield and a second to press the pace hard through the middle half. Nap's choice on arrival.

Race 11 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

5 - ROCKIN MEDICINE gave stout chase from the pocket for second-place finishes in his last two tries, and he rallied out of traffic for second three back as well. Form is unrivalled. 4 - TERRITORY hit the board in his last two at the class, but he toiled late in pursuit of some fast miles up front. Mind value. 2 - MEET THE CREEPER circled three-wide to upset at 18-1 last week. I attribute the lack of results three, four and five back to wide draws, and the poor finish six back to early exertion in a blistering pace. He's improved a good deal since then.

Race 12 - Non-Winners $2,500 Last 5 Starts

6 - CAPTAIN DISOMMA stayed on OK to hit the ticket in his last two tries at this level, and he was even - albeit from astern - against tougher in the start between those. Solid mid-price option with just a little bit of help. 4 - BAREFOOT BLUEJEANS pressed hard through the far turn before flattening off the home turn on arrival last week. Still, he's improved since lameness issues and lacklustre tries in claiming company. 3 - HEARTBEAT HILL earned minor cheques in his last four, including out of traffic in a similar race here two Sundays ago. Clear sailing can aid.

Race 13 - Non-Winners $4,260 Last 5 Starts

1 - BLOOD BROTHER steps down for the second straight week and is Tetrick's choice of three in this field. He demonstrated improved staying ability from just worse than midfield last Friday. A general lack of early speed in this group can help him establish closer early positioning by default. This spot suits - more so if he can replicate October form. 8 - LIKE CLOCKWORK gains McCarthy on arrival after an uncharacteristic break marred his most recent start. Glimmers of success against tougher fields through the fall noted; wide draw poses an obstacle for this proven presser, though. Weigh the odds. 5 - DRAGON STRIKES pressed hard at eights and just missed by a half length last week. Similar await; he's best when near the action from the get-go.