Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Thursday 10/8

Through Sept. 13 – 50 days - Top Selections - Overall
Win %: 272 for 702 (38.7%) ITM: 497 for 702 (70.8%)
Win Dividends: $1,191.50 $2 ROI: $1.70
Pick-4: 4,5/1,3,5/2/1,2,3,5,6,8 ($18)
Best Bet: Molto Bene (Race 9)
Spot Play: Myidealson N (Race 1)

Race 1 - Claiming $15,000

7 - MYIDEALSON N is Nap's choice of three on the step up from $12.5k company. In his last two tries, he demonstrated pressing and late closing ability. Form and versatility both encourage; clear sailing is a must for this credible mid-price player. 3 - CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR steps up similarly after just reaching from an earned pocket in his last. That 1:51 2/5 mile is among the fastest on the page. 6 - CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL pressed steadily before fading last out, and showed better uncovered bids in prior tries. Crosses over to claiming company; credible value player with his best effort.

Race 2 - 2YO Non-Winners 2 Races

2 – LOU ED ZEPPELIN dropped into overnight company after disappointment in a Keystone Classic event at the other end of the state and broke maiden attractively from a tough post. Now moves up the NW categories and gets post relief, too. Slim call. 1 – SWEET SUCCESS figures well after winning his debut and showing good qualifiers before it. Has similar closing speed to his post neighbour. Good test for the son of Sweet Lou. 8 – HOMEBODY makes his fourth career start today and will face the outermost post challenge. Closing speed in two of his last three attracts, and if hot fractions arise, this could pose impressive opportunity to break maiden. Consider to share at a minimum.

Race 3 - Non-Winners $2,500 Last 5 Starts

4 - LE REVEUR N almost lasted at fives-on in a $12.5k event at Pocono last week after closing from the clouds to just miss. He's got the right trajectory to pounce in this spot. 7 - RAP SHEET was even on the drop to this level last week after demonstrating mild closing ability with tougher types over this course. Wide draw is his biggest obstacle; can serve to boost value. 6 - SHOEMAKER HANOVER seeks to improve in his second start for Tarantino after emerging up the pegs out of traffic to save second. Bigger threat if able to keep clear.

Race 4 - Non-Winners 4 Races or $30,000

2 - GOO DOO DOLL stayed on respectably in her Liberty Bell split a couple weeks ago - so much that she took over a second away from her fastest win. Improving rookie has proven she can absorb pressure, too. 6 - WORTHY OF HONOR rises after turning in a dominant N2L win at Pocono in his last - out of post 8, no less. Class relief offsets class hike; expect him to be forwardly placed. 1 - SWEET TEA hit the board in four of her last five, and her staying power and raw speed have both improved markedly of late. Mind value.

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

5 – SHEEZ ON A CRUZE improved at a higher level last week and now dips down to a lower, yet still multi-dimensional upper-tier class. Great spot to build confidence, yet might need a little speed to chase. Potential price drift. 7 – GRAPPLE HANOVER was rounding back into some of his strongest form of his year, but needed some time off. May need one, yet if he returns with any of his recent abilities, he’s going to be formidable. 2 – OUR WHITE KNIGHT went for a strong bid but tired to finish out of the money last week. Recent lines suggest he remains a fit for these upper-tier conditions and can readily share or win with best. Some of the best versatility in this lineup, an important addition to all exotics. 1 – IZOH gets the pole position today after being shuffled in his last. 6 – FASHION CREDITOR has proven a highly reliable in-the-money producer.

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

1 - MISS TANGO has done OK to chase older for runner-up finishes in four of her last five. Pacesetting and stalking ability are both present. Solid mid-price player. 7 - MARILYN'S JO made a brief first-over bid into the far turn before levelling off last week. Before that, she closed steadily from astern for a pair of no-match runner-up finishes. 5 - BEACH CRAZY has been off for over a month since winning at an Ohio fair on Aug. 27. Stallion Series prelim winner debuts for Chiodo on arrival.

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

4 - HEART N SOUL DEO improved steadily to claim a no-match second in pursuit of Miss McKee in their Liberty Bell split - which was significantly stronger than the won in which SVG Blushingbride romped in, mind. Minor stakes player finds an easier group this time around. 5 - BOSCH held for a 15-1 upset last week after brushing up the far side to clear a quarter from home. He rises off that refreshed outing; August lines prove there's some chasing ability, too. 8 - HANNAH seeks a repeat win at this level after being driven out to parry the three-wide Arclight Hanover. Outside draw is far and away her biggest hurdle to clear.

Race 8 - Non-Winners $7,000 Last 5 Starts

5 - TYMAL TULLO debuted locally last week and just reached second up the open stretch. Napolitano stays aboard the improving 4-year-old. 3 - GUARD YOUR HEARTS set most of the pace in that race, only to be eclipsed by Skyway Cobra off the home turn and nabbed up the pegs for second by the aforementioned Tymal Tullo. She fared better being involved from the get-go. Morgan opts to stay on. 1 - TRIXAR drops mildly on arrival after chasing just tougher at Pocono from close tracking trips. While winless on the year, he's hit the board now in his last five.

Race 9 - Winners of 5-7 Races

2 - MOLTO BENE is my strongest call of the day and my suggestion for a key in the Pick-4. Note solid gains midway along in Liberty Bell action before an unfortunate break that can be excused. Exceptional trio of recent performances, mostly with potent, steady closes. Can finish a race quite attractively. 4 – SKYWAY KON MAN dropped two weeks ago and markedly improved, reclaiming much of the form he has earlier in the summer out in Indiana. Flexible candidate is able to leave or close, but must mind gait manners. Likeable spot; extra week off a positive. 3 – MACMORRIS HANOVER makes a second start after a vet scratch. Strong chance to fire off gate, proven capability to hold a long lead or be close. If ready, one of the three main dangers.

Race 10 - Non-Winners 1 Race

6 - BOOM CITY pressed steadily into a good second in a similar race at Pocono in his last. He made similar improvements to just miss three and five back. Almost there. 5 - LAVANTE is a solid value option in this wide-open maiden race, similarly staying on to reach the board in three of his last five. 2 - HANOVANTI looks to have a better effort after a smooth Pocono qualifier. Gait issues have troubled her on and off through the season to this point.

Race 11 - 2YO Fillies, Non-Winners 2 Races

6 - SO MIKI HANOVER sprinted off powerfully at fives-on to win her debut for Leamon last Wednesday. Plenty to like off such an assertive effort. 5 - ITALIA SEELSTER improved from off the pace to reach the board in each of her last three. Her closing speed is arguably some of the strongest in this field. 8 - SWEET BRITCHES pressed steadily to just miss in a 1:52 4/5 mile last out. Mighty fast filly, for sure, but how will post 8 affect strategy?

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

5 – PRESIDENT closed from the rear in his last to pass much of the field and hit the board. He joins us from Pocono and is steadily finishing faster with every recent performance. Slim call among several. 2 – I AM THE STORM is also steadily improving his late speed, even after some trouble in the lane last week. One to keep an eye on. 6 – TEST MY NAUGHTY B worked hard to overcome a tough post last week and came close to the winner, finishing a nearby fourth. Remarkable improvement and a chance today to be the early speed as much as ever. Lightly-raced filly is rounding into her best form of the year.

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

3 - PHOENICIAN never got involved from far back in his debut for Dinges a couple weeks ago. Post relief is sure to help him land closer in the early stages this time around in a very manageable group. 4 - MAGIC N SPICE stayed even for minors in two tries at this course and class. Davis stays on; similar effort keeps him in the mix. 1 - PARAGLIDER can benefit immensely from the shift to the pegs after passing the tired on astern last out. Minor option with similar.

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

3 – MOSCONI HANOVER dips to second-level company and comes in from Pocono. Some of the higher-level performances both up the hill and locally showed encouraging signs of skill. Speed is sufficient to be top call. Seeks his first win of the year; a sensible spot. 6 – FRONT STREET also joins us from Pocono and raced in a similar class. Has moved through ups and downs of class with some success in recent months, reaching the board many times. Speed improving; likely to be in a hurry from the gate. Significantly useful. 8 – WAYWARD MAN handled a tough post assignment two starts ago at Pocono, worked hard to lead briefly, and saved third. Recent miles show significant effort in various locations and, if the past stride issues remain solved, the right setting can yield a great outcome. Strong call to at least share.