Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Thursday 10/22

Pick-4: 3,5,8/1,2,3/4,6,8/3 ($13.50)

Best Bet: Skyway Cobra (Race 10)

Spot Play: Klassen Hanover (Race 11)

Race 1 - Claiming $15,000

The opener shapes up as a showdown between a pair of recent winners at this level. 1 - DA MAGICIAN gets the nod from me after he vaulted clear powerfully to win in 1:52 2/5 two starts back. He's reunited with Temming after a well-earned runner-up finish 11 days ago. 2 - ROGER MACH EM proved capable by way of a sustained first-over push to cap a two-move effort last week, but he flattened after pushing the pace in the start where Da Magcian vaulted off his cover. By no means incapable. 4 - LYONS BEACHBOY pressed and stalked his way to five straight runner-up finishes at the $10k and $12.5k levels. He rises again amid good form, and he has proven extremely well that he can take a lot of air. Credible value option in exotics.

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

3 - HUNTING AS sustained wide gains to reach N2L in his last. Hopples have helped keep him on task; staying power continues to improve. 8 - JULA BEAUTY AM did pretty well in her first start against winners this season, all things considered. She turned in a 1:55 2/5 mile after securing the pocket. Corey opts on. 6 - ALYVIA DEO looks to improve in her second start back after lifting belatedly in the same race Jula Beauty AM exits. Expect sharper from this mid-price option.

Race 3 - 2YO Non-Winners 2 Races

1 - MIKIBYTHESEASIDE has the class edge; 6 - HIPPESTCATINTOWN has the speed edge. These two stand out pretty clearly to me, but Mikibytheseaside gets the narrow nod from me. Excuse his Delaware line owing to the back-row start in an extremely bulky field. His return effort was more than respectable: he cleared from post 7 before yielding and giving stout chase. Pole should make for a markedly easier task this time around. Hippestcatintown drilled a 1:52 maiden-breaking win at Rosecroft last Wednesday in his first start back from a month-long spell. Pressing ability noted; mind value. 5 - INTELLIGENT AM is reunited with Tetrick after failing to fire from astern in a mighty fast Liberty Bell division. He just missed at this level three weeks ago.

Race 4 - Non-Winners 1 Race

2 - ETHAN T HANOVER enjoyed minor stakes success all summer. Far easier await on arrival. 1 - DUKE OF LINDY pressed well in his last three tries, but couldn't sustain his gains past the top of the stretch. Trip relief can aid; Simon takes over. 7 - VITANI AS stayed even for minors in two local starts before a break cost her at The Meadows. Staying power is ample for another small share here.

Race 5 - Non-Winners $11,000 Last 5 Starts or 8 Races

2 - YANKEES BEAST drops in from upper-winners company, where he stalked and closed into the ticket in four of his last six. Reunited with Tetrick in a division full of horses rising from lower-level events. 1 - MAX'S BEAST hit the board in his last four, and while he steps up in class off a narrow defeat, the post relief he gains is enough to offset the class hike. 7 - GOLDEN SON found himself mired in traffic in his return outing, but he didn't lack for late trot. Horses for courses? 4 - SUMATRA rises off a near miss at Yonkers, and 3 - BOXING GLOVES seeks a third straight but steps up again after a long first-over ascent to score at sevens.

Race 6 - 2YO Fillies, Non-Winners 2 Races

4 - BEACHBLANKETLINDY stayed on well to hit the board in two local tries at this level, and exhibited different tactics each time. She pressed to a narrow Commonwealth win earlier in the season; class edge noted. 2 - BEACH CRAZY lacked late from a cosy pocket last week, but still had enough to hold third at 17-1 at this level. Solid value option for exotics from nearly identical circumstances. 3 - TEMPURA HANOVER made two moves to beat older company earlier this month, and her form is on a clear upswing. Post relief can help, but price will likely take a hit given recent two-move success.

Race 7 - Non-Winners 5 Races or $50,000

8 - SOLAR was even in the Liberty Bell last week after N4L success at Pocono last month. Forgive the Yonkers line altogether -- that wide draw and rearward post were just too much to overcome. Marcus opts on. Narrow call. 5 - BALDAQUIN rises after back-to-back wins -- one from just off the front flight and another from around cover. Adds Lasix amid clear form uptick. 3 - SWIPE RIGHT rose to this level last week and stayed on for third behind an extremely tough Hillexotic after advancing in the breeze as the pace quickened. Solid enough stayer.

Race 8 - Non-Winners $11,000 Last 5 Starts or 8 Races

3 - MACMORRIS HANOVER enjoys a significant cut back in class after a one-paced effort in his last and hard-tested pacesetting efforts before that. He wired upper-winners types four back; this represents one to 1-1/2 levels below that group. 2 - PRESIDENTE ZETTE pressed his way to a narrow fourth-level score in his second start for DiDomenico. Before that, he gained well out of mid-division. Clearly on the improve. 1 - SPEE CLUB did the lion's share of the early work in the race Presidente Zette won, and fought gamely off the home turn after being headed to only lose narrowly. He's best when involved from the outset.

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

8 - QUESTICHAP seeks a fourth straight win after two pocket scores and a pillar-to-post victory at M1 this fall. None in this field match her form right now; class hike is minimal if any. 6 - WILLING HANOVER drops back to conditioned company after being outmatched in the Liberty Bell. He closed well to hit the board in both starts at this level, including a narrow win down the grandstand side on Sept. 18. Strong value option. 4 - BANG BANG BOINGA has been fourth or better in his last seven tries at this level. Capable presser-stalker boasts consistent staying power, but has come up just short except for once this season.

Race 10 - Non-Winners $7,000 Last 5 Starts

3 - SKYWAY COBRA was troubled by traffic in pursuit of the rising Presidente Zette last week, but proved dominant at this level a fortnight before. He's the only one in the field with a win at this level on the page. 8 - CAJOLE HANOVER overcame a break OK against tougher last out, but his early mistake cost him all chance of contending. He was competitive at this level last month, but the wide draw makes for a tall task. 6 - GUARD YOUR HEARTS lifted to just miss at 13-1 two back, proving that she can contend at this level. That said, she was only one-paced from the pocket in an easier spot since. Given the more manageable makeup of this field, though, she figures well for at least a share.

Race 11 - Non-Winners 1 Race

2 - KLASSEN HANOVER improved late to save third last week, and in doing so ran his string of top-three finishes to seven. Today, he looks to take advantage of the kindest draw he's gotten in months. 1 - IDENTITY POLICE closed stoutly out of midfield to take second on debut -- he made up 5-1/2 lengths in the final quarter. Pole keeps him close; expect sharper. 5 - SV TYMAL'S IMAGE invades from the Iowa fair circuit, where he proved a steady force all season long. Historically speaking, shippers from the Hawkeye State have done well in their first couple starts here. Worth considering if price lifts.

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

6 - MOSCONI HANOVER pressed and levelled off on the drop to this level, but still held third. That line and chasing efforts with just tougher encourage in this more manageable group. 4 - WORTH THE MONEY AS hasn't fared well in three tries since dropping to this level, but had clear excuses in his Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 lines. Mind value. 1 - SEEKING STEVEN didn't lack for late trot against tougher a fortnight ago, but was too far out of striking range to threaten. Expect better in his second start in over two years.

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

4 - MIZZY BRENDA K takes on winners after a powerful maiden-breaking effort last week on debut for Engblom. She widened steadily and impressively. 5 - LIBERO HANOVER trotted a 1:57 4/5 mile at The Meadows last Monday after OK chasing efforts on the fair circuit. In terms of raw speed, he's got plenty. 7 - FLY EAGLE FLY enjoyed the road to victory on Aug. 21, but not in the four starts since. Wide draw hindered some last out, but he remained even. Better flow can help him reach for a share.

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

6 - MIAMI had lots of trot up the inside last week, but couldn't shake free of traffic soon enough to convert. Class relief helps; clearer sailing will, too. 1 - TIDQUIST draws inside and drops mildly on arrival from Yonkers. Closer spotting is sure to aid. 4 - ANOTHER BREATH gave a good account of himself at this level four back, but since was troubled against tougher. Relief all round is welcome; best when able to be involved to some degree early.