Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Sunday 10/25

Witherite - PHL (through Oct. 11 – 66 days)
Top Selections – Overall - Win %: 351 for 927
ITM: 648 for 927 Win Dividends: $1,542.00 - $2 ROI: $1.66
Pick-4: 1,2,4/4,8/4/1,2,4,7,8 ($15)
Best Bet: Put To Right (Race 9)
Spot Play: Captain Ahab (Race 11)

Race 1 - Claiming $20,000-$25,000

6 - RECORD MACHINE is Tetrick's choice of three in this field amid solid form at the level. He narrowly held three back, he was just collared after blasting clear two back, and most recently he held second after being bowled over on the far turn after a :27 third split. He stands a good chance to control it all this week. 2 - WISE IMAGE threw down a :26 1/5 third split to seal victory last week after being reeled in at 17-1 the start before. Prime competition for Record Machine as the early pace is concerned. 4 - MAJOR BUCKS gapped Wise Image's monstrous third quarter, but did well to maintain second at 12-1 rather than fade amid his pursuit. Expect stronger third out; can share with similar.

Race 2 - Claiming $15,000

4 - IDEAL ROCKY looks to rebound after forcing a :27 2/5 third quarter in the breeze last week. Before that, he was an open-length winner in a similar event. 2 - EVER AGAIN didn't lack for late pace in a pair of tougher claimers last month, but comes back now after four weeks off. Inside draw and class relief both bode well for him. 1 - WHATSTROUBLNUROCKY chased well for minors in two tries since returning. He can be involved from the outset or off cover alike; good value option for exotics.

Race 3 - Non-Winners $7,000 Last 5 Starts

8 - IMSTAYNALIVE moves laterally on arrival from the eastern half-milers. He lifted off cover to win going away two back, and more recently saved third out of traffic at Yonkers. Wide draw is his biggest obstacle. 2 - SEMI TOUGH parried pressure to win at tens-on last week, and only three starts back circled cover to just miss a level above this one. Splits the difference; mind value. 3 - SOHO CHELSEA A demonstrated improved staying power in his last two starts, including a good third-place finish out of mid-division at this course and class just last week. Fits and plays, to be sure.

Race 4 - Claiming $20,000-$25,000

7 - ALEX TYE pushed clear powerfully up the far side to win on debut for Bongiorno last week. Before that, he pressed and stalked his way to minor cheques in claiming company. Clearly on the upswing. 1 - SOMETIMESAWINNER failed to sustain a three-wide push through the far turn last out, but fared well on the point both two and four back. Inside draw on debut for Mosher can yield a much easier journey. 6 - REVELRY floated into midfield and stayed there last week, but did close ground in the stretch after gapping a :26 1/5 third split. Previous outings at the level indicate form and versatility.

Race 5 - Claiming $15,000

7 - ROCKABILLY CHARM swept to the fore on debut for Herrera last week, giving him a third win in his last four $15k tries. Tetrick opts to stay on. 3 - MELANIE'S TEDY left hard for the pocket, was shuffled to third, and rallied late to just miss similar at M1 in his last. Post relief can give him a little more late oomph. 2 - ROLL N CATCH is a definite threat from off the pace given that he rallied off cover to hit the board in three of his last four. Solid stalker-closer figures well in the Hi-5, no doubt. 5 - AN THE THUNDEROLLS is likely to be involved from the outset, and 1 - UNION STATION gains the pole and Dunn after struggling at Yonkers the past few weeks.

Race 6 - Non-Winners $4,000 Last 5 Starts

3 - SADIQ HANOVER rode the pocket to a good second on the drop to this level last week. Tetrick opts to stay on over two others. 6 - ROUGH ODDS improved markedly last time out, circling three-wide and digging in to defeat a game Cash Is King. Closer cover seemed to be the key. 4 - BLOOD BROTHER benefits greatly from post relief this time around and looks to maintain markedly improved form. He chased well to hit the board in his last two; mind value on account of success among tougher.

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

2 - BAD BOY BRAD A made steady late inroads to hit the board on the drop to this level earlier this month. Despite three weeks off, he figures well to improve amid more manageable company and from a kinder draw. 4 - FULLBACK gets a pass from his last due to broken equipment. Gains Dunn; staying ability demonstrated in past efforts. Kinder trip a must. 1 - MAJOR KEY was a no-match second from an easy pocket on the drop to this level three weeks ago. He draws the pole again but gains Nap this time.

Race 8 - Non-Winners $20,000 Last 5 Starts, 9 Races or $90,000

8 - SOUTHWIND OZZI comes back to a proven course and class after mixed results at Yonkers and Dayton. The 12-time winner won his last two appearances here, doing so from a middle move and a first-over grind alike. Much stronger than lukewarm 4-1 favouritism may indicate. 4 - ITSROCKANDROLL A made steady inroads up the far side and just missed Jack's Shadow by a neck last week. He's hit the board in seven straight, all from sustained pressing and stalking bids. Solid mid-price player. 1 - VETTEL N won at this level from an earned pocket two back, and looks to rebound after never getting involved with tougher amid a fast pace two weeks ago. Pole keeps him close, but he'll need the race to pan out entirely in his favour to strike here.

Race 9 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

4 - PUT TO RIGHT drops markedly from Grand Circuit stakes after giving futile chase to Tall Dark Stranger in his last three attempts. Far easier await on arrival. 7 - WELL DONE SON closed steadily from astern to save fourth in a similar race at M1 last out. Aside from Put To Right, he boasts the strongest late kick in this group. 2 - COMMANDER HILL was swallowed up on the lead last week after sprinting off in a :27 2/5 third split. Before that, he pressed forward and held better to save second. Can rebound for a share; gains Dunn.

Race 10 - Non-Winners $14,500 Last 5 Starts, 7 Races or $70,000

2 - PEACE OUT POSSE chased stoutly in 1:49 2/5 in a similar race last week - and that was after blasting from the eight-hole to clear and then yield for the pocket. He's hit the board in his last five at this level or above; post relief can sharpen him just a bit more. Slim call in a very wide open field. 1 - TIGER THOMPSON N worked clear and held sway last out, and now rises off that 1:50 3/5 score. On the upswing; pole keeps him close. 4 - DONTTELLMEAGAIN was shuffled to last and passed the tired at odds-on in his last after minor placings in top-level events. Class edge is noted, but the 19-time winner hasn't fared so well this season. Additionally, he's been off for over a month. Mind value.

Race 11 - Non-Winners $10,000 Last 5 Starts

6 - CAPTAIN AHAB makes his first start since being shut out in a stakes-laden 3-year-old campaign. He qualified smartly on two occasions for new trainer Steve LeBlanc. Class edge is massive. 7 - PYRO just missed slightly tougher at Pocono last time out, and was a consistent minor player in top-level events through the region all summer long. Slight relief off a solid chasing effort can lift him the rest of the way. 1 - CRIMSON AND CHROME improved belatedly to save third behind Robbie Burns N at this level last out, and he parried pressure to beat tougher five back. Inside draw gives Tetrick tactical options galore.

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

2 - ZINNY MACH N pressed and stalked his way into the ticket in his last two tries at this level. Nap remains on; draw is favourable. 1 - GINGER TREE MARTY drops a level and draws inside after proving no threat from astern. Pole can keep him closer to striking range. 7 - KASEY JOHN A is Tetrick's choice on a second straight drop in class. Despite traffic trouble in his last, he didn't lack for late pace.

Race 13 - Non-Winners $7,000 Last 5 Starts

4 - BENSON BOYS N closed from astern to save fourth against tougher at Pocono last Saturday, and he demonstrated pacesetting success in a string of late-summer runner-up finishes. Relief all round should aid. 6 - GENTLEMANJIM II IE simply had too much ground to make up from astern in his last couple tries. Slight relief can get him back into striking range in this easier spot. 7 - SEEING EYE SINGLE improved into the top four in each of his last five outings, mostly one notch below this one but at this class as well. Minor option with similar effort.

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

4 - BARRAGE HANOVER never got involved in the Liberty Bell, but turned in a 1:50 3/5 mile. This race represents a major step down from stakes assignments. 6 - LIVE LIKE A BOSS similarly faces easier, and he does so after clearing from post 8, yielding, and chasing to just miss a tough Tact Tate N in third-level company. Solid bet-back option; Tetrick opts on. 1 - MR PROFETA earned minor cheques in his last six third-level races, and likewise finds relief after lifting mildly off cover in those tougher races. Solid inclusion in all plays.