Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Sunday 7/12

Meet Stats: 25 - 70 (35.7%), $103.00 (-$37.00)

Best Bets: 4 - 5, $10.20 (+$0.20)

Spot Plays: 0 - 5, $0.00 (-$10.00)

Best Bet: Stienams Beach (Race 6)
Spot Play: Magritte (Race 5)

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

2 - DOJEA SOLO raced credibly on the rise to this level a couple weeks ago. He circled boldly on the far turn and pressed on to just miss Mayfield Duke at 16-1. While Brennan opts off, Tetrick is no slouch. 8 - RANGERS SURESHOT has been off since March, but his June 29 qualifier indicates fitness. Callahan opts aboard the first-time Davis starter who enjoyed success and versatility in tougher Dover claimers this winter. 1 - RECORD MACHINE is another one returning to action off a long spell. His qualifier at Gaitway was just OK, but his success in similar claimers at Yonkers this winter more truly indicates ability. Brennan chooses on, and the pole should get them close with ease.

Race 2 - Claiming $15,000

7 - DEERFIELD BEACH simply dominated in his June 28 starter allowance, brushing powerfully and sprinting off by 8-1/2 lengths. Three of his rivals today exit the same race, two rise, and two invade from $15k events elsewhere. Lots to like. 1 - BARBADOS is one of the two to rise from the $12.5k starter ranks, and his recent outings indicate he's got the ability to do so. In his last $15k try - granted, it was in March - he pressed hard out of post 8 to just miss by a neck. 4 - AMERICANBOOTSCOOTA A makes his second start for Garcia after failing to convert from the pocket at Pocono a couple weeks ago. Still, he stayed within a length of a pretty tough mile. Can improve, but needs a kind journey.

Race 3 - Non-Winners $14,000 Last 5 Starts, 7 Races, or $70,000

1 - JACK'S SHADOW N worked hard for position from post 8 last out, but tired in pursuit of Tall Dark Stranger in that race. Post relief and class relief are apparent as anything, and he won't have to tackle any stakes-bound giants in this group. 2 - KINNDER JACKSON moves laterally on arrival after chasing out of traffic to save third. He can press and close with similar efficacy. 8 - LYONS STEEL cleared, yielded, and gave stout chase from a clear pocket in a similar race two weeks ago. Plenty to like off that two-move effort, but slightly tougher foes await this time.

Race 4 - Claiming $12,500

2 - CHEYENNE JEFFREY worked hard to win a $10k starter allowance last week after pressing and holding second in his return outing. The 12-year-old is working back into top shape, and Nap opts to remain aboard. 1 - ARTACHE HANOVER seeks back-to-back wins at the level, but had the aid of a cosy pocket ride and an equally comfortable pace last Sunday. Be mindful of value. 7 - CANDELL is a credible roughie candidate for deeper exotics, owing to his refreshed pressing effort in pursuit of the tripped-out Artache Hanover. While he can be hit or miss, he's proven his ability to contend at large odds here and there.

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

2 - ROCK THE NITE pressed into a :55 back half at M1 last week and stayed within a length after his long uncovered gains. Solid outing; Nap opts aboard. 1 - LIKE CLOCKWORK didn't lack for late pace against tougher in recent outings, and that improving closing kick will serve him well here. Gains Brennan and the pole on the drop; mind value. 7 - MAGRITTE was just short in fourth-level races, but clearly outperformed his off odds on both occasions this meet. Step down is welcome for the presser-stalker. 4 - SWEET BEACH rises off a hard-earned win, and 8 - SMILEANDSAYCHEESE shows just enough staying power at this level and tougher to stick around for a minor share in Hi-5 proceedings.

Race 6 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

6 - STIENAMS BEACH did a lot of heavy lifting on June 27, only to be upended late by the Grand Circuit-bound Allywag Hanover. This group stacks up as far more manageable. The one to beat. 4 - CLEAN SHAVE returns to this level after being locked in and staying even in his local debut. Dover lines indicate pressing and stalking ability; a clearer journey can help him put them to better use. 5 - MILLENNIAL failed to fire three-wide after traffic trouble at Pocono in his last, but fought gamely under pressure two back. Clear sailing and aggressive placement from Brennan make him a player at a healthy enough price.

Race 7 - Non-Winners $20,000 Last 5 Starts, 9 Races, or $90,000

Today's feature is quite possibly one of the most complicated races to dissect today, if not the outright toughest. That all said, I give 5 - SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN a slim nod. He drops out of Open company at Yonkers, as do Gratian Hanover and Bettor Memories. Of the three, he was saddled with the toughest barrier, yet made the most ground late. Former Indiana standout has a ferocious stretch kick; he just needs the space to put it to use. 2 - GRATIAN HANOVER lifted off cover in the same race after folding on the lead to Bechers Brook A, who was a hard-closing second in top company here last Sunday, two back. He's warming back up. 4 - IDEAL FEELING rises after back-to-back M1 wins, and seemed much stronger up to the line a fortnight ago. Likely pace of the race retains Tetrick.

Race 8 - Winners of 5-7 Races

5 - SPORTS TEEN just missed from an earned pocket at Yonkers in his return outing, and he faces a similar group on arrival here. Harris is winning at nearly a 20% clip, and Nap opts aboard. 6 - SEAFARER chased well two back, and turned in a solid pressing effort before being turned aside by Blood Money at this level last week. He's working back into form and can offer healthy value. 3 - ODDS ON BOCA RATON pushed clear of N5L types at odds-on last week. Steady improvement since returning to action encourages.

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

3 - SOLID GOLD N rises after winning his U.S. debut. A month ago at The Meadowlands, he circled wide on the backstretch and outpaced the likes of Yacht Week and All Week for a decisive enough score. This step up isn't too daunting: of those dropping in class or holding steady, only one hit the board in his tougher assignment. That one is 6 - TIN ROOF RAIDER A, who chased into a no-match second behind Gentlemanjim II IE, who takes on fifth-level foes in race 3. Stout enough finisher will need a little more trip help to content, but the step down is a clear help. 5 - LAST GUNFIGHTER is a value option for minors, if only he can get clear sailing before the final turn. Traffic's troubled him a good bit against this level and tougher.

Race 10 - Non-Winners $4,000 Last 5 Starts

7 - STENDAHL HANOVER chased tougher for minors in three starts since coming back to action. Today, he drops to second-level company and gains Tetrick. 1 - CRUSADES steeps up mildly on arrival from Pocono after working clear and just giving way to Uffizi. Pole keeps him sharper longer. 8 - CHEYENNE REIJANE escaped traffic to beat bottom-level types powerfully at 8-5. Despite the tougher task on hand today, Nap opts to remain aboard.

Race 11 - Non-Winners 5 Races or $50,000

2 - MEADOWBROOK CROWN looks to repeat after wiring N4L foes at Yonkers out of post 7. Kinder draw can give him even more late oomph. 1 - LYONS NIGHT HAWK was compromised by traffic late last week after working to earn the pocket. Clear sailing can help him most of all. 5 - RANDOM HANOVER lifted well off cover for a no-match second to Odds On Boca Raton last week. He's chased into the super at double digits in each of his last three.

Race 12 - Non-Winners $14,000 Last 5 Starts, 7 Races, or $70,000

7 - THE FIRST STEP used :26 3/5 third-quarter speed to push the pace into the far turn on arrival a fortnight ago before ultimately flattening to fourth. He won't need much trip relief or other help to get the job done in this manageable group. His toughest foe, 8 - FIZZING N, rises after a pair of runner-up efforts from earned pockets. Tetrick chooses aboard the 16-time winner, and a general dearth of gate speed can help them land close from outside. 6 - GENERAL PATTON chased cover and stayed on for third at this level last out. He seems to fare well from pacesetting and close cover journeys alike.

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

4 - GRIFFON HANOVER can benefit from a midpack draw and the introduction of Tetrick after being forced wide up the backstretch and flattening in his last. Direct involvement suits him better. 6 - ANNIHILATION fareed well here last season, and as recently as December held his own for minors two levels above this one. He's warming back up. 1 - WARRAWEE TOTAL looks to jump up two levels off an open-length win two weeks ago. Summer lines indicate he's sharpening up quickly.

Race 14 - Non-Winners $2,500 Last 5 Starts

6 - CASINO BAGS ANSO drops a level after a respectable third-place finish against second-level types. Love the angle of the step down from a good outing. 1 - DEALMAKER worked into second behind Warrawee Total at this level last out, and another inside draw can keep him close with ease. 3 - POGEY BEACH worked hard to push the pace last week before fading, turning in an uncovered :28 1/5 third quarter to do so. Can bounce with trip relief.