Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Friday 8/21

Win %: 185 for 463 (40.0%) ITM: 328 for 463 (70.8%)
Win Dividends: $751.70 $2 ROI: $1.62
Best Bets: 24/32, $69.10 (+$5.10)
Spot Plays: 4/32, $21.80 (-$42.20)
Pick-4: 3/5,6/2,3,4,6,7,8/3,5,6 ($18)
Best Bet: Techtopia Hanover (Race 1)
Spot Play: Fly Eagle Fly (Race 11)

Race 1 - Non-Winners 1 Race

4 - TECHTOPIA HANOVER was a good second in three of his last four at the level, and in fact displayed two-move ability in his last two tries. Similar await. 6 - MASTER MIKI retains Marcus after a good third-place outing at long odds last week. Raw speed suits for these; value opportunity. 7 - MEET THE CREEPER weakened late in his last two fourth-place finishes, but had the built-in excuse of early exertion. A lack of inside speed can help him overcome this wide draw a bit better.

Race 2 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

4 - BOSCH is the narrow call in a contentious race of reliably-producing younger horses. He closed in with a solid, sustained rally at high odds to get just a few feet from the leader at the finish. Looks thoroughly the part today. 2 - DEVINE EQUINE has raced lightly this summer and broke maiden at last start. Class rises challenges and may sit back early. Fits and plays. 5 - LAZER JET is in the best form of his young career yet faces more speed than ever today in his rivals. Last week, he ducked after creating first-over pressure and still raced up inside to collar foe. Major test for him today yet has options. You will hear from him at some point in the mile. Good spot play.

Race 3 - Non-Winners $2,500 Last 5 Starts

2 - CANDELL drops to the bottom condition out of claiming company, where he was a minor player over the last two months. The fastest in the field can be prominent with ease in this largely paceless race. 8 - REGAL HOPE earned minor cheques in his last four tries, all at the $10k level. Staying power is of no concern; the 41-time winner doesn't lack for back class. 4 - MR HEAVEN qualified respectably on Aug. 11 after fading badly and enduring road trouble in his last two. Looks to rebound; an even mile can help him boost exotic value.

Race 4 - Non-Winners 1 Race

1 - LEVATOR struggled in feature action last week in tiring and fading off, yet hops right back to a successful level of the recent past. Ideal post for the near-lead trips he prefers. A strong call with a race presenting unique possibilities. 6 - GINGER TREE DON perked up noticeably in his qualifier on Aug. 11, turning in an admirable mile on his trainer’s drive on nearly a year’s rest. Keep this horse in mind at a price for exotics. 3 - WILLING HANOVER has had time off in part due to a vet scratch. May need a race, but his most recent prep was superb and repeating it could be enough to win. Price could vary remarkably.

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

1 – EI EI O won easily after pressing the leader. Ideal draw to be forwardly placed as prefers. Class rise no concern. Tactical speed in recent past; one of the most versatile of the lineup. Slim call. 4 - MOSCONI HANOVER has reliably made useful and rated miles at the level for over a month. One that might like to press a little at any early speed. Locked in for a bit last week, even once free. Shares readily with a good trip. 6 - KATKIN AND COKE was a vet scratch last week after an 11-day gap in racing, coming to us from up the state. Steadily closed and passed numerous foes in most recent. Formidable, especially if it’s fast early up front. 7 - TONY SOPRANO is dropping with each recent week, trying to find the right level. He improved notably last week and drops again. 2 - OBERTO gets post relief and won two back at a lower level. A presser-stalker sort in a favourable spot to succeed.

Race 6 - 2YO Fillies, Non-Winners 2 Races

6 - ICONE AM S chased and held third in her last start after gaining belatedly for fourth against NJ Sire Stakes company in her career debut. Tetrick takes over on arrival. Lots to like. 8 - CAN DO IT ALL qualified respectably last week and has a lot of upside for strong trotting connections. Inside foes seem rather manageable. 4 - CASUAL AFFAIR passed tired rivals to save fifth at massive odds last out. Minor player with a closer dispatch.

Race 7 - Non-Winners $4,000 Last 5 Starts

3 - BROADWAY MOJO hit the board in a pair of pacesetting efforts since dropping to this level. The 14-time winner figures to be lone speed in this group and as such shouldn't face as much pressure. Nap opts to stay on; the one to beat. 1 - MUSCLE STAR steps down another level after pressing and flattening but still holding third. Pole can keep him close; mind value on the third straight drop. 5 - NOBLE PRIZE returns to action after multiple breaks forced him to qualify. Early summer lines indicate closing and grinding ability at long odds. Can boost exotic value with similar.

Race 8 - F&M Non-Winners 1 Race

6 - SIREN’S SONG closed in steadily for third in last at Pocono and joins us after a week’s rest. Mild nod in a field where horses come from interesting and differing circumstances. Good value add for the Pick-4. 5 - GABBY TABBY saved show last week and looks fit to repeat a good outing. Picking up racing experience. Let’s ignore the tough assignment two starts prior at Pocono; PHL clearly suits her better. Must include. 4 - VICINITY stayed in range throughout her last mile and turned in a terrific final fraction. I liked her last week and think she’ll repeat the same kind of trip here to at least share. Well-bred and a second start on the oval since the brief rest. Expect improvement at value.

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

2 - MR PROFETA circled boldly three-wide at big odds last week and ground away late to just miss. Post relief offsets the class hike; this mid-price option is all the more credible off the strength of his last. 4 - MISTER DAYTONA N invades from Yonkers after just reaching from the pocket. Best when close and clear. 3 - OFFICIAL DELIGHT chased to hit the board in his last two at the level after clearing and yielding. Figures well in exotics with similar.

Race 10 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

6 - JK LUCKY CHARMS rallied to win his Stallion Series race from a clear stalking trip after lifting well in overnight company twice before that. He's ramping up stoutly, by all counts. 5 - NICHOLAS BEACH couldn't have been any sharper in his qualifier last Tuesday, drawing off convincingly through the final three furlongs to deliver a 1:51 drubbing. He's done everything right so far; beware underlay potential. 3 - P-DRIVE HANOVER is the likely key to value in exotics given the amount of money the aforementioned pair will likely take. He's consistently chased for minors in his last three at this level, and the inside post can help him stay close to the action.

Race 11 - Non-Winners 1 Race

6 - FLY EAGLE FLY gains Tetrick after chasing for minors from off the pace and wide of rivals in two starts so far this season. None here match his 1:54 3/5 effort from July 31. 3 - INFUSE HANOVER made good ground at 78-1 in her last after largely toiling astern in early outings. Gradual improvement noted. 8 - MASS FLOW failed to threaten similarly all season, but has sufficient raw speed to show up for a minor and boost exotic value in a big way with a favourable trip.

Race 12 - Non-Winners $10,000 Last 5 Starts

3 - LIFEONTHEBEACH A fought foes in the last mile with a good series of moves, being second-over to go three-wide and just take care of matters. May set up behind speed if it strongly materializes. Likeable spot, class rise feels near lateral. A sensible play. 7 - HALL BRO reaches up to fourth-level competition today after a confidence-building mile last time. Could be an excellent price. May leave, may close? Price potential. 1 - JK MUSICIAN draws the prime post and takes another try at this contentious mid-upper event with many possibilities. Third start after a brief stay at Pocono. Has the late speed needed for the level. Good shot to share.

Race 13 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

7 - PARDON MY WAY closed respectably for minors in his last three tries, all at the level. A dearth of inside speed can help him land closer without much exertion. 1 - PRESIDENT is amply fast, but has struggled to pose a threat in a variety of assignments this year. Gains Nap and the pole. 5 - SOUTHWIND HILLRAZR broke at Yonkers and was outmatched in Stallion Series company. He gets an easier group around three turns, and Tetrick opts on. Can bounce.

Race 14 - Non-Winners $4,000 Last 5 Starts

6 - CHEYENNE RYAN LEE bottomed out last Friday and lifted to win at 22-1. Moving back up the class ladder now with veteran handling. 3 - DREAMFAIR CHARRO is the likely catalyst for pace pressure in this race after forcing the pace on the final turn and sticking around to hit the board in his last two Pocono tries. 7 - BRICKYARD VELTIC kept on well to only miss by 1-1/2 lengths in his last at Pocono. Easier await on arrival; needs to be close and clear to lift tri and super dividends again.