Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Sunday 8/23

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: 1,3,5/1/1,3,4,6/1,5,6 ($18)
Best Bet: Actor Hanover (Race 8)
Spot Play: Fullback (Race 10)

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

3 - BARBADOS stayed on OK after being towed into contention two weeks ago, but has fared markedly better when able to control or press the pace. Reunited with Tetrick; kinder draw can help him be more directly involved. 7 - IC A FREE SPIRIT rose to this level and lifted out of traffic to stun at 20-1. Seeks a third straight; wide draw assuredly lifts price. 1 - SEVENS HOPE A won last week's upper claiming handicap by way of a stout middle move on a drying track. Nap stays on over three others here.

Race 2 - Claiming $15,000

4 - NIHILATED TRUTH gained steadily into a no-match second two weeks ago in his second try at the level. Gradual improvement noted and midpack post suits. Tim's choice. 8 - MORE DRAGON has the strongest form in the group by way of five straight ITM finishes, and his ability from off the pace is as good as any. The big question: will he have enough pace to close into? Still, I feel like 12-1 is generous. 7 - WESTERN BAYAMA invades from Yonkers after chasing to maintain second behind mid-level conditioned horse Magritte two weeks ago. Pressing and mild closing ability noted; 25-time winner has had enough success historically.

Race 3 - Non-Winners $10,000 Last 5 Starts

1 - TIGER THOMPSON N gets the prime post today. Broken equipment in the last mile noted, yet recent performances show superb closing intensity. Excellent prior class and a prime candidate for sharp improvement today. An excellent key for the Pick-3. 2 - ROCKIN IN THE HILLS has a winning habit over at Yonkers and now joins us today. Successful as favourite in many recent contests. A must-use for any ticket and shows exceptional form reversal from the beginning of summer. 7 - BAKERSFIELD is one of many in this field with loads of early fire. Garcia has been spectacular in our 2020 season. May add value and certainly increases the speed equation.

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

4 - IYQ YQR has been on an absolute tear of late, rising from $12.5k company and turning away pressure for an open-length $15k score. As sharp as any right now. 5 - SOUTHWIND DIESEL invades from Ocean following a decisive score in lower-level company. Looking back on July 26, he didn't lack for late pace at this level despite never getting involved in the race. A closer journey can surely aid. 8 - DUCKIES DYNASTY landed in the pocket and held second throughout in his last two at the level. Wide draw is his biggest obstacle; good value option for exotics if he can overcome it.

Race 5 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

8 - OREO DREAM EXTREME will face a challenge from the post today yet has the versatility to overcome it. A winner at the level Aug. 9. Final fractions of late are plenty strong. Slim call in the contest. 4 - GOLD STAR YODER dips into the N3L level after struggling at Pocono in recent. The last two performances show enough raw speed to fit in with this group. Gets a week of rest in the transition to us; could be refreshed. 7 - ATOMIC BLAST N is a lightly raced competitor coming from good connections. Also joins from Pocono and a relatively similar situation as Gold Star Yoder. Stayed in touch from a similar post last time upstate. Plenty to like. 5 - PADDY ALL DAY was able to save fifth late last week in like local company. Consistent and level finisher that can edge into deep exotics. Offers some versatility.

Race 6 - Non-Winners $7,000 Last 5 Starts

1 - KASEY JOHN A narrowly held at Yonkers a couple weeks ago after being just collared at Harrington in one of their tougher races the month prior. This is only his third start in six weeks, but it shouldn't be much tougher than his Yonkers win. Pole offsets class hike in good part. 5 - TACT TATE N also rises off a narrow win, but comes right back for his third start of the month. He's probably a hair sharper as such, but this level has proved a challenge for him in recent memory. 8 - UNION STATION, like the above pair, seeks back-to-back wins, but he'll have the toughest task of the three from this outside draw. That said, he figures to improve second out and should be able to cross over for respectable early position.

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

5 - KINNDER JACKSON hit the board in four of his last five, including solid stalking and pressing efforts with just easier at Yonkers in his last couple. Switch to three turns can boost his staying ability all the more on the step up. 1 - SADIQ HANOVER double jumps after grinding uncovered to victory in his last. A tall task awaits, to be sure, but he's hit the board in four straight and shown consistent uncovered staying ability. 3 - STATEMENT MADE A rises after lifting off cover to win at Yonkers. While he reached in the slowest quarter of the race, he made steady ground throughout. Capable veteran is back on the rise.

Race 8 - Non-Winners 5 Races or $50,000

1 - ACTOR HANOVER is my top call of the day. Gets significant post relief and has been a reliable performer all through the summer. Will certainly seek the top or front-area placement and has skills in rating. 7 - KEYSTONE DASH left well from like post in Sire Stake action up at Pocono on Aug. 11 and while his last mile locally wasn’t as productive, he’s indicated sizeable improvement after a vet scratch in July. Expect him to leave vigorously. He more than fits and plays. 2 - SUNSETBOOZECRUISE is another contestant with strong early kick, coming to us from the top end of New York’s Excelsior series and displaying strength throughout. Superb ITM percentages throughout a two-year career.

Race 9 - Non-Winners $14,000 Last 5 Starts, 7 Races or $70,000

4 - ALLUNEEDISFAITH N is a prime bet-back candidate: stepping down in class off a superb effort to narrowly miss. Nap stays with the 17-time winner who held sway against tougher at odds-on two back. 3 - JJ FLYNN moves the other way on the class ladder after only staying even on the final turn at Harrington, but his previous local line encourages. Can figure well in this kinder-by-comparison spot on the switch to three turns. 1 - ROCKAPELO rode the pocket and just missed last out, and closed from deeper back to just miss at 15-1 two back. Pole keeps him close with ease; form encourages.

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

5 - INCREDIBLE SHARK chased well to gain third behind the tough Sunfire Blue Chip and Rockapelo in his second start back east. Far easier await the 20-time winner off that respectable line. 1 - FERDINAND A rode the pocket to just miss at Pocono in a tougher race last out. Aside from his failed outside bid on Aug. 2, he's held his own and stayed on well at big odds with tougher. Very credible roughie option. 6 - FULLBACK pressed stoutly to force a :55 2/5 back half at Yonkers last week, and he only lost by 1-1/4 lengths! Now he drops off that gritty mile. Likely catalyst for pressure once again.

Race 11 - Non-Winners $4,000 Last 5 Starts

2 - DADDYOFEMALL stayed even from a stalking trip for third at big odds last out. Further relief can carry him closer yet; forgive his July 19 line owing to mid-race traffic issues. 4 - PEPPER GUY returns from Yonkers after passing tired foes to save fourth. Post relief can help him land closer, to be sure. 5 - MISTER INDIANA flattened after a sustained pressing bid on Aug. 16. Improvement from $20k claiming lines noted; a kinder trip can land him in a minor.

Race 12 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

3 - ELITE RETREAT is signaling improvement in his most recent events and starting to take to the oval. Possible price player in a contest with several contrasting considerations. 2 - ROLLING WITH SAM is a well-travelled competitor with appealing back class. Fits and plays. A winner last month at Pocono in a relatively similar contest to this. Ought to be fresh with the extra days between. Potential value spot play. 4 - POCKET WATCH N qualified smartly on our oval after making the trip from New Zealand, closing to win his prep mile at less than 1:55, a great indication of future strength. Today will be his American debut. Might need the race, but he’s looking every bit the part.

Race 13 - Non-Winners $2,500 Last 5 Starts

1 - MR D'S DRAGON stayed on well at this level last Friday, and he gets the added benefit of thee pole this time. His biggest threat will have to encroach from the extreme outside. 8 - JOE HILL hit the board twice since dropping to this level, but was collared in upper stretch on both occasions. The wide draw is his biggest obstacle, by far. 6 - SKYWAY BILLY passed tired foes and closed late ground on the drop to this level last week. Minor option with similar effort.

Race 14 - Non-Winners $7,000 Last 5 Starts

3 - FOX VALLEY INFERNO dips to third-level company after improving some in his last at a tougher level. He was a winner back at the start of summer locally and a similar mile can win this event. Narrow choice on a drop that could motivate. 6 - NORTHWEST YANKEE rebounded to make a much better account last week with a capable closure to finish second and offered his best raw speed of the summer. A resounding win three back at the Maryland shore. 1 - ABERDEEN HANOVER closed mildly in his last and gets sizeable post relief today. Able to bid outside of rivals and pass several overall last week in his return to Philadelphia. Excellent effort in another local start in early July at a higher level. Useful to at least share.