Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Thursday 10/29

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: 1,3,6/3,6/6,7/2,6,8 ($18)
Best Bet: Rosalie Swan (Race 7)
Spot Play: Tuis Shadow (Race 2)

Race 1 - Claiming $15,000

5 - ALTA SHELBY N gets another crack at this group after being gathered in with a sixteenth to go last week. Keeps Tetrick; lone speed a possibility. 8 - DA MAGICIAN hit the exacta in four of her last six starts at this level, and has proven capable from pressing and stalking trips alike. 2 - ROGER MACH EM pressed steadily to reach at 18-1 two back. Looks to rebound after flattening into a quickening pace last week; cosy draw can help.

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

5 - SCIROCCO PATRICK looks to rebound from breaking issues after a respectable qualifier at M1 a couple weeks ago. Success in Stallion Series events can carry in this kinder group. 1 - TUIS SHADOW is a very credible value option in this field, having pressed and stalked his way into third in four of his last six - and at over 20-1 on each occasion. 4 - LEVATOR hasn't missed a cheque in his last five, and he's shown better staying power when not forced to exert from out wide for early position.

Race 3 - Non-Winners 1 Race

5 - MIDNIGHT CITY hit the board in five of seven, all from pacesetting and pocket journeys. He stands a good chance of being lone speed in this event, and Tetrick takes over. 6 - CARYL'S FAVORITE makes her second start after a respectable fifth on debut. Raw speed is among the best in the field already. 2 - DIVAINTHEREDDRESS invaded from the fair circuit two starts back, and posted a pair of solid pressing efforts to hit the ticket. Ability to sustain uncovered gains is a major plus.

Race 4 - 2YO Fillies, Non-Winners 2 Races

7 - BEACHBLANKETLINDY either set or pressed the pace in her three local starts, and hit the board in all of them. Improved raw speed is a plus; the lack of early speed on paper overall works to her benefit. 2 - CHASE LOUNGE swept to victory at 12-1 in her career debut last week. Miller stays on the Sweet Lou filly after her impressive late push down the grandstand side; mind value. 6 - BEACH CRAZY is a legitimate value contender in this field given her success for Chiodo since arriving at the beginning of the month. If she's able to get close to the pace again, she figures well to lift exotic value considerably.

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

1 - GUARD YOUR HEARTS hit the board in her last four races, including three at this level. Only two of her foes are dropping in class, so this race on the whole is comparable to the last one. Pole can keep her sharper longer. 3 - SWANS HONEY wired easier two back, chased tougher evenly for fourth since, and now splits the difference. Reunited with Miller after chasing stoutly through a :27 4/5 final split. 2 - CAJOLE HANOVER has finished strongly on a consistent basis since dropping to this level a month and a half ago. A clean start puts him back in striking range. Honourable mentions go to 4 - HAMMER CREEK, who rises after stalking and chasing to hit the board at double digits in his last two, and 6 - WINNERESS, who gains Napolitano and drops in from high-level Pocono claiming events.

Race 6 - Non-Winners 1 Race

3 - DETONATED was even two back and tired from a three-wide push into the home turn in his last. Fair success is enough to carry in this much more manageable group. 7 - MAGGIE MAYHEM was a no-match third on debut two weeks ago. Expect stronger second out. 4 - SENCHA debuts for Cameron after being off 3-1/2 months. Gains Tetrick on arrival after a decent Rosecroft qualifier.

Race 7 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

3 - ROSALIE SWAN sustained wide gains to win both of her starts at this course and class. Ability to take air and current form thoroughly impress. 6 - DEVINE EQUINE rallied well off cover to just miss Rosalie Swan last week, and she improved belatedly to close ground into President the week before. Capable under the right circumstances; price should suit. 1 - GERARD steps up from recent Pocono tries, but has hit the board in five of seven and has stayed on respectable from recent pocket journeys. Another pole can help him stay close without much exertion at all.

Race 8 - Non-Winners $14,000 Last 5 Starts, 7 Races or $70,000

3 - YANKEES BEAST enjoyed a little relief from upper-level events last week and used a :27 1/5 final quarter to reach from a clear stalking trip. Solid stalking and closing efforts in high non-winners events prove form and versatility. 6 - AMADOR won twice in his last three, both in fourth-level company and both from vastly different trips. Versatility can only help his cause on a step up that half the field joins him in making. 5 - SUMATRA almost lasted on the point last week, only to be eclipsed by Yankees Beast after controlling the terms. Miller's back on; midpack draw can help the 33-time winner stay involved from the get-go.

Race 9 - Non-Winners 5 Races or $50,000

6 - SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE lifted into third in her Simpson division last week and - save for a break three back - has shown steady improvement in recent weeks. Current trajectory makes her a major player in this group; Simon opts on. 7 - SHEER MUSCLE made good gains into Hannah in his debut for Del Cid. Nap remains aboard this proven stayer. 8 - BIG NUDGE chased well from the pocket last week after being mired in traffic the start before. The dispatch is key for the rising son of Donato Hanover.

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

8 - INFINITI AS may have to contend with another eight-hole, but he did pretty well to sustain two moves against tougher in his last from that spot, all things considered. After being shuffled severely, he shook free to make up over three lengths in the final quarter. Easier foes await on arrival and Tim opts on. 6 - SMOOTH ACELERATION likewise drops in class after battling for early control in his last and emerging out of traffic with good late trot the start before. Back to a winning level. 2 - MAJOR IMPACT won at this level five back, but did so with the aid of a pretty cosy pocket trip. The draw is favourable for him, but he'll need a lot to go his way to capitalise fully on this drop down. Still, he figures well for minors.

Race 11 - Non-Winners 1 Race

8 - MOTHER LIN is ramping back up after taking a little break from stakes company. She closed markedly better in her second start back, and figures to fare even better in this much kinder group. Tim's choice of four. 1 - LAVANTE earned money in each of his last seven starts - and hit the board at over 20-1 in three of them. Pole keeps him close. 2 - HAVANA MOON is a second-time starter for Jenny Melander who trotted a 1:58 4/5 mile on debut but couldn't get involved from astern. Post relief is a major aid.

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

8 - WORTH THE MONEY AS made steady inroads up the back to just miss last week. Nearly identical circumstances await the 12-year-old today, save for the draw. 5 - LEAP YEAR LUCKY lifted to just miss two back, but that was into a :31 3/5 final quarter. Nap's choice on arrival. 7 - FASHION WINNER fared OK at this level earlier in the fall, and steps back down after failing to threaten second-level types. Gains Simon.

Race 13 - Non-Winners 1 Race

4 - ETHAN T HANOVER angled out nearing the far turn and steadily closed ground into a slowing Duke Of Lindy. Minor stakes player holds a clear class edge in this group; Tim's choice. 7 - SV TYMAL'S IMAGE left Iowa at the end of September and was a good second from the pocket in his local debut. Very credible. 2 - VITANI AS had to get around a gapping rival at the midpoint of last week's Duke Of Lindy race before making a little ground in the stretch. Post relief should aid; staying power has been better since the addition of hopples.

Race 14 - Non-Winners 3 Races

3 - ZOE F Made late inroads for minors in two Big M tries, and now she returns to a course where she's fared at least decently this season. Kinder draw give the stone-cold closer a much easier task. 4 - MEADOWBROOK CHIP improved in recent qualifiers since arriving from Hoosier. Marcus opts on the stalker-stayer. 6 - BEAUTIFUL MRS A debuts for Lachance after posting a win and a well-earned fourth in two tries at Hoosier. Her gradual closing ability makes her a minor player in this group.