Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Thursday 6/25

BEST BET: The Next One (Race 2)

SPOT PLAY: Trolley (Race 9)

Race 1: Non-winners $7,000 in last 5

2 - VALLEY OF SIN just missed from the pocket in his qualifier last week, six months removed from consistently displayed ability at this level. He looks the part, for sure. 1 - CAJOLE HANOVER gets a class break after chasing for minors at Dover all winter. In his last, he proved no match at all for the much tougher Rock Of Cashel, but his raw speed is ample for this group. May need the start, however. 8 - INAPERFECTWORLD gave respectable chase in a Pocono qualifier last week after landing in the pocket from post 9. Dunn's choice; wide leaving ability is a big plus.

Race 2: Non-winners 1 race life

7 - THE NEXT ONE appears head and shoulders above her competition in this field, given mile stakes success at 2 and a sparkling 1:54 3/5 mile at the Big M off the shelf two weeks ago. Expect stronger yet in a very manageable group. 3 - ANDELA chased for minors pretty consistently at The Meadows last year, and her Florida qualifiers seemed to serve their purpose. 2 - TUSCANY makes her career debut off a lone qualifier, in which she proved respectable raw speed, closing kick and chasing ability. Nothing wrong with taking a chance at 6-1.

Race 3: Non-winners 2 races life

1 - JK ALWAYSBALADY capped her June 13 qualifier with a 27 2/5 kick to reach from the pocket. The royally-bred filly should be able to land in a similar spot from the pole. Lots to like. 5 - DANCETHENIGHTAWAY had to work to win her local qualifier last Thursday, duelling Easy To Please around the entire far turn before just reaching. She seemed every bit as sharp, and maybe even had to work a bit harder to win. Let the tote board have the final say. 6 - EASY TO PLEASE was game in a narrow defeat to Dancethenightaway, and as such proved herself as a very credible minor option in this field.

Race 4: Non-winners $10,000 in last 5

8 - SYLVESTERAMERICAIT won his Pocono qualifier in 1:54 3/5, and the group he'll tackle today is one level below his last winning class. While David opts off, this one sufficiently proved his fitness last week. 5 - MEADOWBRANCH RICKY lifted steadily to win at this level in December. His March 8 line gets a pass on account of two separate moves before late regression. Easier await here; fitness is the big variable. 1 - ALL CHAMPY brushed and held sway in his last start before the forced layoff, and he demonstrated closing ability just the same in February. It seems his breaking issues are a thing of the past, but the class hike is significant.

Race 5: Non-winners 3 races life

7 - ARCLIGHT HANOVER passed tired foes in his first start back, and is poised to have a strong second start back. Raw speed is ample; wins over the local course encourage. 1 - PRICELESS RULER debuts for DiDomenico after winter success at Woodbine. Pole can land him close to the action. 6 - DEVIOUS HANOVER accounted well for her abilities in her M1 qualifier, and that line indicates clear maturing from her rookie season. 3 - BECKY KRONOS can chase evenly for a minor, and 2 - BANG BANG BOINGA debuts for Poliseno after rallying for a few minors at healthy odds last season.

Race 6: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5

2 - CHIEF JUSTICE made steady ground in his M1 qualifier, but did so into a drastically slowing pace. That said, his late gains into far tougher in February make him a standout here as he bottoms out. 7 - TOUGH MAC qualified similarly at Gaitway and has loads of back class to draw from. Tetrick opts on. 3 - SWAN MOTION showed some pressing and sweeping ability at Freehold this winter, and she gains Nap on arrival. Minor player rises, but has hit the board in half her starts this season.

Race 7: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5

5 - NO DRAMA PLEASE chased mildly behind Indiana standout Grand Swan in his second start of the year, and in doing so demonstrated improved staying power. Easier await on arrival. 1 - CLIVE BIGSBY vaulted clear at will in his second Magical Acres qualifier. Inside draw should land him close to the action; capable with his best. 6 - MR HOUDINI seeks to improve second out after a flat debut outing. He shrugged off just lesser in March at Pocono; this task feels manageable enough given the majority of those remaining at this level have had some trouble.

Race 8: Non-winners 5 races life

1 - CAPRICORNUS chased well from the pocket in his 3-year-old debut and posted a strong 1:52 4/5 mile over two turns. Stakes-tested son of Cantab Hall should be stronger yet on the return for powerful connections. 3 - SHISHITO qualified over a second faster than Capricornus raced, and also brings a solid stakes résumé to the table. These two tower over the others here far and away. 8 - HEART N SOUL DEO is a credible roughie to round out exotics given her mild bid wide of foes in her June 3 qualifier and mild stakes success at two as well.

Race 9: Non-winners $20,000 life

7 - MISSISSIPPI STORM simply had too much ground to make up in pursuit of Obrigado in his seasonal debut 20 days ago. This group isn't a whole lot easier, but he should be able to make better use of closing ability with a better starting spot. 1 - TROLLEY jumps two levels after a powerful June 12 win at the Big M. The veteran's rounding back into form, and his December lines indicate that he can still compete at this level. 4 - MORAIRTIME has been out of action since February, but showed in the winter that she can sustain uncovered grinds with aplomb. Fitness is the big unknown, especially off the scratch last Wednesday, but she's a threat if in top shape.

Race 10: Winners 5-7 races life

2 - MACMORRIS HANOVER boasts a solid sophomore résumé, complete with stakes success and a pair of solid upper-level wins at this course. He qualified respectably 19 days ago, and his edge is sufficient. 8 - NEXT LEVEL STUFF won the Matron and a couple local Grand Circuit events as a rookie, and Tetrick stays with her here over three others. Wide draw, older competition loom. Mind value. 5 - ALL AMERICAN N pursued well on debut for second against a similar Meadowlands group. He's fared well since arriving from Down Under, all things considered. He can chase for another share here.

Race 11: Non-winners $4,000 in last 5

3 - ALEXANDER HANOVER chased respectably in his last race and pressed well to just miss three back. This group is a hair kinder, and the 17-time winner picks up Nap. 7 - MAJOR IMPACT qualified evenly earlier this month after a lengthy layoff. He was a minor player one level above this one pretty consistently last fall. 5 - HAMMER CREEK turned in a solid closing kick to pass horses steadily in his June 6 qualifier, but he cedes a slight class edge to the above pair. Minor option in deeper exotics.

Race 12: Non-winners 1 race life

1 - GHOST PEPPER chased evenly in his June 8 qualifier after having mixed results as a rookie. He can chase well enough, and he's not lacking for raw speed. 6 - LEVATOR debuts off a single qualifier which saw him post a 28 4/5 closing quarter and gain steadily out of mid-division in doing so. The sky's the limit for the 3-year-old. 5 - IRON MINE DIVA faces tougher maidens here, but made significant ground at Harrington in her debut just last Wednesday. Switch to three turns can boost closing ability even further.

Race 13: Non-winners 3 races life

6 - VINNY DE VIE pressed and stayed on in his last flat line, and even earned some minors in stakes company as a rookie. Far easier await today; Gaitway qualifiers prove ample raw speed. 4 - PROTEAS landed close and chased for second in his first start back. Kind midpack draw offsets class hike. 7 - BOSCH lifted well in his last qualifier, and consistently was a minor player at this level last fall. Can share if fit.

Race 14: $12,500 Claiming Starter Allowance

6 - JUSTIFY demonstrated consistent pressing and closing ability in similar claimers all winter at Dover, and hit the board in 8 of 9 this year. That recent form will be tough to topple, and Nap picks on over three others. 2 - AXIOS was claimed out of his last race, a dominant $10k win at Pocono in March. The 28-time winner can pounce from just off the pace; fitness remains a variable. 7 - RIDGEWAY SPRINGS was a pocket winner at Harrington last week, and he beat $12.5k foes going away at Dover four back.