Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Sunday 8/30

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: 5,6/6,7,8/2,8/3,5 ($12)
Best Bet: Backstreet Shadow (Race 7)
Spot Play: IYQ YQR (Race 4)

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

2 - DAAMEERICANSKY crosses back over to the claiming ranks after leaving from wide draws and staying on well in his last two. Post relief can improve late kick. 7 - BARBADOS sustained gains throughout to take second at this tag last week, and he wired similar at twos-on three back. Tim's choice. 1 - DAVIDS COMING HOME pressed and flattened on the rise to this level after a solid two-move win over $15k types. Pole can aid.

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

5 - JAHAN HANOVER was troubled by severe traffic in his last two Stallion Series tries, yet still showed good late pace at the end after chasing stout fractions. Far easier await on arrival. 3 - SURFER BEACH pressed a :26 4/5 third quarter before tiring last out, and he was no threat from astern the week before. A kinder journey can aid. 8 - COMMANDER HILL is Napolitano's choice in this group despite an eight-place finish in his last. It's worth noting that defeat was to Nicholas Beach, who threw down a 1:50 4/5 mile on debut for his new connections.

Race 3 - Claiming $15,000

5 - DREAM OUT LOUD N finds an easier group after sustaining a wide bid to save fourth at Yonkers last out. More direct paths of late have yielded better results. 8 - WE THINK ALIKE will have to overcome a wide draw this time after reaching similar from an earned pocket last out. He proved outside leaving ability amply three and four back. 1 - POP'S ROMEO rises after back-to-back $12.5k scores off powerful middle moves. The step up is a new variable; worth a shot at the right offering.

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

5 - RECORD MACHINE is one of four in this field in search of back-to-back wins, but the only one who comes in directly off a win at this level. Form and versatility are both apparent; the one to beat. 2 - ROCKABILLY CHARM drew off boldly to beat $15k company last Sunday in his second start for Bongiorno. He steps up and draws cosily off that dominant outing. 7 - IYQ YQR has risen gradually in recent weeks, and he gave good chase to save second behind Record Machine just last week in his first try at this level. His best efforts have come on the point, but he can grind and sweep with good results, too.

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

1 - IDEAL FEELING drops after giving futile chase to tougher from astern at Pocono last Saturday. Before that, he rallied off cover to just reach a tougher group here. Very capable; Tim's choice. 6 - ROCK THE DEVIL is the likely catalyst for pace pressure in this group after having advanced in the breeze in his last three. He converted against tougher three back; raw speed is more than enough. 4 - GENTLEMANJIM II IE rises after saving ground and pushing clear powerfully in his last. Aside from his grinding effort into a torturous pace three back, he's demonstrated consistent staying power all season.

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

2 - IDEAL ROCKY finds an easier spot here after pressing and staying on in a $15k event last out. Another inside draw keeps him in the early mix easily. 8 - PEPPER GUY parried pressure in the middle stages of a similar race last Sunday before ultimately giving way - but still holding second. Value player with similar. 3 - PENZANCE HANOVER can benefit from post relief after making two moves in the first half at this level last week. He chased better two and four back.

Race 7 - Winners Over $25,000 Lifetime

5 - BACKSTREET SHADOW has been a big player in the free-for-all ranks this year, winning the Roll With Joe and keeping pace well in the Haughton, McKee and Dan Patch since. Clear class edge here. 6 - JESSE DUKE N only missed the board once this season, and that was thanks to his role in a sizzling pace at Pocono last Saturday. Proven presser-stalker has been a consistent force from all sorts of situations in the NYC metro this summer. 1 - DONTTELLMEAGAIN pressed and faded in the McKee consolation, and has struggled from wide draws and amid pressure in past outings. Relief can help him get back to early-career strength.

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

Today's sub-feature stacks up as a fairly interesting race, with plenty of class movement and a lot of elements to take into consideration. 6 - SAN DOMINO A was even in traffic in a fast winners-over at Pocono last week behind the likes of Filibuster Hanover and Western Joe, both of whom boast significant stakes success. He pressed well in a Meadows open three back and held off a late threat to prevail. Capable in this kinder spot. 8 - DEALT A WINNER pressed and levelled off behind Highalator last week, but still held third. Four weeks before that, he wired this level of competition at fives-on. Wide draw is easily his biggest obstacle today. 7 - SEMI TOUGH was one-paced from the pocket at Pocono last week after digging deep to narrowly prevail before that. Splits the difference on the class ladder today; best when prominent.

Race 9 - Winners of 5-7 Races

8 - ARTIE'S IDEAL made two moves to win at Yonkers last out, landing in third from post 6 before grinding to a narrow score. He moves laterally on arrival; raw speed and current form can carry him out of post 8 with the longer run to the first turn. 2 - ITSROCKANDROLL A improved belatedly in two tries at this course and class so far. Kinder draw is bound to do this solid stayer wonders, provided he can remain in the clear. 4 - LYONS NIGHT HAWK won two of his last three, including a comparable upper-winners event at Harrington just on Monday. He can set or stalk the pace alike; can share with similar.

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

3 - TWIN B TUFFENUFF rises after being shuffled badly and lifting to convert at odds-on in the slop last week. Mid-summer starts at this level and slightly higher encourage. 5 - STATEMENT MADE A was a one-paced third from the pocket on the step back up to this level. The 23-time winner possess good chasing and pacesetting ability alike; versatility encourages. Tim's choice. 1 - IDEAL WHEEL keeps Nap after a failed first-over try at Pocono last out. A kinder journey can boost staying power; inside draw aids in a largely easier fifth-level group.

Race 11 - Non-Winners $2,500 Last 5 Starts

2 - WARRAWEE TOTAL was locked in up the far side at Pocono on the step down last out, but held even to the end. Easier foes yet await. 7 - MISTER INDIANA tired badly after pushing in the breeze through the first six furlongs in his last. Before that, he stayed on OK after sustaining mild mid-race gains. Easier await. 1 - SKYWAY BILLY didn't lack for late pace in his last few, but was too far away to threaten. The pole can aid.

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

5 - WESTERN FAME tired under sustained pressure at Pocono last out after being outmatched by some of the best open pacers in the continent in thee McKee. Class and trip relief can both get him back in the win column. 7 - MIKE'S Z TAM was a victim of traffic last week after leading and pressing his way into three straight runner-up finishes. Relief all round helps this mid-price player, too. 3 - FATHER SARDUCCI drops below his most recent winning level after traffic-troubled and rearward trips stymied him. Best when prominent.

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

2 - WARRAWEE VELOCE circled boldly to just miss in a Stallion Series event last out. While winless on the year, recent improvement encourages. 3 - LOUIE LOUIE converted from the pocket last out, albeit narrowly. Close draw can help him stay prominent with ease again. 7 - P-DRIVE HANOVER never got involved last week, but regains Morgan, with whom he teamed up to hit the board in three straight before.

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

8 - JOE MCDUDE missed his last assignment due to illness, but he seemed to benefit from class relief in his most recent appearance on the track. After circling wide to take third at 16-1 in a fourth-level race, he gets another step down today. Plenty to like in what feels like a pretty typical third-level group. 4 - OFFICIAL DELIGHT kept on well in his last three at this level, hitting the super on each occasion. Midpack draw enables another comfortable stalking journey. 3 - ROUGH ODDS was eased with broken equipment in his last outing, but chased OK in his two tries before that - both at this level or tougher. Minor option with a clean dispatch.