Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Sunday 11/15

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: 3,7/3-7/1,7/3,4,6 ($30)
Best Bet: Razor's Edge (Race 7)
Spot Play: Quick Fun N (Race 1)

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

8 - SHANE ADAM moves laterally after giving stout chase to the tough Buy In last week. That effort was more indicative of his ability than the one before. Also note that he circled boldly to upset similar at 9-1 four back. Versatility is a big plus. 4 - QUICK FUN N pressed stoutly to just miss last week after making sustained inroads from astern the week before. Form encourages; solid value option. 3 - DA MAGICIAN won well on the rise to this level last out, but had the benefit of a collapsing pace in front of him. Clearly capable, but be wary of underlay potential.

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Race 2 - Claiming $10,000

5 - ACE OF CLUBS pressed a :27 2/5 third quarter and stuck around for second on the drop to this level last week. Good effort; retains Simon. 8 - ARTACHE HANOVER drops to his last winning level, one where he just reached after stalking cosily on Oct. 25. Wide draw is his biggest obstacle. 4 - SPRINGBRIDGE PROUD circled wide and edged clear of $7.5k foes at Pocono on Tuesday, and he hit the board in his last four tries at that level. Gait issues have troubled him here, but he if he stays flat, he can threaten. Mind value.

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Race 3 - Claiming $15,000

2 - ALTA SHELBY N reached from the pocket at this level two back, and since pulled pocket to take the lead at the eighth pole before being outkicked from just deeper back by Melanie's Tedy. Kind draw suits his racing style well; he's best when close and he's warming up. 4 - MISSISSIPPI RABBIT drops back to the $15k level after tiring in pursuit of torturous fractions in a tougher event last week. Excuse that line altogether. 3 - DRINKA BEER hit the board in three of his last four $15k outings. The lone exception saw him battle under pressure through the far turn before fading. Closing ability out of traffic against tougher just last month encourages. Solid inclusion in exotics.

Race 4 - Claiming $10,000

7 - SWEET TALKIN SATIN was roughed up in the breeze on Wednesday, but the strength of his Nov. 4 win and the relatively easier group he faces today are enough to warrant another chance. Beaten favourite angle may lift expected value. 2 - STICK WITH CRAMER was troubled by traffic in his last two tries, but didn't lack for staying power on either occasion since dropping to this level. Cosy draw can give him even a bit more oomph in the stretch. 4 - ROJAN'S WAY makes his second start for Piotrow today and looks to make amends for a mid-stretch break at Pocono last Saturday. He fared OK in $10k events in Ohio; forgive Oct. 15 on account of the extremely wide dispatch. Minor option if the price is suitable.

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

3 - LIVE LIKE A BOSS dropped back to this level last week and emerged out of severe traffic on the far turn to save third behind twos-on favourite Crimson And Chrome. Note that he only missed second by a half length! Major threat if clearer sooner. 5 - THE FIRST STEP parried pressure to beat a similar group four back, and since held his own consistently for minors a half level above this one from a variety of trips. Versatility is a big plus. 6 - JK MUSICMAN sustained wide gains to win two back, and he did significant work through the first six furlongs of his most recent event. Moves laterally on arrival; can share with a kinder journey.

Race 6 - Claiming $15,000

4 - EVER AGAIN was caught behind stalled cover last week, but did manage to gain mildly off the home turn after angling there-wide. Closer placement can serve to help him rebound. 6 - SEVENS HOPE A threw in a clunker last week after failing to flush cover. More aggressive tactics work better for him, it seems, noting wins two and three back. 3 - SHOREVIEW invades from Yonkers, where he was gathered in on the lead in his last two. Lack of inside speed can enable him to cross over and be close with ease.

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Race 7 - Claiming $20,000-$25,000

7 - RAZOR'S EDGE saw a three-race winning streak get upended at Pocono last weekend when his first-over push into a strenuous pace came to an end at the eighth pole. This claiming group is a tick down from those he just couldn't crack at Pocono. 3 - POLAK A got the job done from a cosy pocket ride last week after working out of severe traffic to save a no-match third two back. The 50-time winner is moving back in the right direction. 2 - ROCKABILLY CHARM was claimed back by Ruiz after four straight top-two finishes among $15k company. He can set the pace, press it, stalk it, or close from deep off cover. That kind of versatility is a rare trait.

Race 8 - Non-Winners $14,000 Last 5 Starts

This is the toughest race on the card to handicap, hands down. Not much at all separates the top few contenders — any of whom can win under the right circumstances. 3 - OUR MAX PHACTOR N gets a slim call from me for a few reasons: He fought back once headed to beat similar at Pocono in 1:50 last weekend, he has demonstrated pressing and finishing ability against tougher fields both this season and last, and he's well drawn to be involved from the get-go. 4 - SOUTHWIND OZZI delivered a powerful 1:48.4 score over just easier last week, but he lost five straight races before that. No doubt last week's effort refreshed him, but can he hold his own in what appears to be a hotly contested pace? 7 - MAC'S JACKPOT makes a pronounced drop from Open events at Yonkers and has been assigned the outside in this group as such. 6 - VETTEL N warrants attention, too, given local wins against tougher both two and four back.

Race 9 - Claiming $15,000

1 - UNION STATION lifted to a $15k win three back and followed it up with a strong wide move into a no-match second behind Revelry against tougher. Back to a winning level; Dunn opts to remain on. 7 - MELANIE'S TEDY also won in his last $15k start, but is tasked with a wide draw. Nap can help him land in a good striking spot. 4 - DUCKIES DYNASTY is a credible minor option, noting the staying power he has consistently demonstrated. Clear sailing can help him lift better than in his last.

Race 10 - Claiming $20,000-$25,000

3 - REVELRY was too far back to threaten last out, but his steady gains indicate no regression of form. Give a lot of credit to his strong 1:51 3/5 win the start before. Tetrick stays on; the one to beat. 6 - JUST N ACE chased for minors against tougher in his last two after parrying sustained pressure for $25k on Oct. 24. Capable, no doubt, but shows his best when on or near the lead. 4 - SOMETIMESAWINNER looks for a third straight win after absorbing and delivering sustained pressure to just reach in his last two. The big question: How much have those miles taken out of him?

Race 11 - Non-Winners $10,000 Last 5 Starts, 7 Races or $50,000

1 - IDEAL PERCEPTION tired late at Hoosier in his last, but rose from the pocket to win his Simpson split here the start before. Significantly easier await; fits via the N7L provision. 2 - ALBERGO HANOVER worked hard for the lead at Pocono in his last before giving way in upper stretch. He's risen steadily and has hit the board in six of seven while doing so. Versatility noted. 6 - CRIMSON AND CHROME pushed clear and drew off from third-level company in his last, and now steps up off that twos-on win. Strong finisher, for sure. Demand fair price on the class hike.

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

3 - ROLLINLIKETHUNDER made steady inroads through a :27 4/5 third quarter before flattening off the home turn in his last. Now, he gets a third straight step down. There's ability, to be sure. 4 - VILLIAM was even for minors in three of his last four, all against tougher N4L fields at Yonkers. The stakes-tested sophomore bottoms out today. 2 - ROCK N ROW was in a tough spot from post 8 in a $17.5k claiming event on Monday, but he managed to pass tired foes and finish a pretty good fifth. Class and post relief both aid.