Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Thursday 7/2

Meet Stats: 25/70 (35.7%), $103.00 (-$37.00)

Best Bets: 4/5, $10.20 (+$0.20)

Spot Plays: 0/5

Best Bet: Refined (Race 3)

Spot Play: All American N (Race 8)

Race 1 - Pennsylvania Stallion Series

4 - ROWDY RYDER turned in three sharp runner-up qualifiers at The Meadows in which he showed pacesetting ability and strong raw speed. David opts on. 7 - MIKIBYTHESEASIDE closed in sub-:28 last quarters in both his Gaitway trials, and owns the fastest closing splits on the page as such. 6 - GAMBLIN MO improved into third at big odds on debut last week. He's the only one with a race under his harness, and figures well for a minor share if clear.

Race 2 - Pennsylvania Stallion Series

3 - RIFLEMAN lifted mildly at the end of his lone qualifier for the jointly fastest mile over three turns on the page. Debuts for high-percentage connections. 8 - ROUTHLAND also hit the 1:56 2/5 mark in a qualifying session, but hasn't passed horses in the stretch yet. Early positioning is key. 1 - ANDRES HANOVER can benefit from the pole after suffering road trouble in his more recent qualifier. McCarthy's choice of three.

Race 3 - Non-Winners 5 Races or $50,000

3 - REFINED turned in a great debut effort after a nine-month spell, battling gamely in defeat at the Big M against similar. After clearing early, she refused to give in amid a 27 2/5 stretch duel. Expect sharper second out, especially with post relief able to freshen her up a bit more. Yannick's choice. 2 - YALL BENEATH ME was undefeated on the Maryland stakes circuit at 2, and he showed ample strength in his lone qualifier after a similar layoff. So far, he's done his best work on the lead, but he showed brushing ability the morning of June 23. He's developing, for sure, and the sky is still the limit. 7 - FOXY TROTTIN STICK comes in from Harrington after a first-over push to the lead was rebuffed on the final turn. Switch to three turns should help this presser-stalker improve.

Race 4 - Pennsylvania Stallion Series

1 - GOLDMILL demonstrated week-over-week improvement in his Meadows qualifiers leading up to this debut outing. Pole should land him near the action with ease. 5 - PUMA also ships east and has demonstrated similar improvement, but cedes a raw speed edge to Goldmill. Still, he's got ample upside. 3 - ALWAYS B SWEET showed good late kick at the end of both his qualifiers to date. Minor option if close and clear.

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

2 - ROCK OF CASHEL wasn't helped any by mid-race traffic in his return outing at Pocono, but he stayed even with the battle-tested Two AM up to the line. The 40-time winner's got no shortage of back class, and can truly threaten with clear sailing. Expect sharper. 1 - KINDA LUCKY LINDY pressed well into the last turn at Pocono in that same race before levelling off. This field shapes up to be a bit kinder, but will the trip? 3 - P L KETCHUP cleared from post 9 the other division of the same event, yielded to the pocket, and stayed on respectably from there. He's at his best when near the pace. 5 - K J CHARLIE rises off solid Rosecroft lines but a long spell, and 7 - APLOMB HANOVER picks up Nap after hit-or-miss lines of late.

Race 6 - Pennsylvania Sire Stakes

3 - STRAIGHT TALK demonstrated versatility in his Gaitway qualifiers. On June 8, he wired his foes in 1:57 4/5, and came back to chase out of midfield and just miss with a 26 3/5 closing split. 7 - CAPTAIN SLEAZE raced credibly on debut at Pocono on June 23, pushing out of third on the far turn and giving stout chase at 9-1. Solid springboard effort. 1 - LUNAR won both his Meadows qualifiers, and capped his second one with a 27 3/5 push from the pocket to win going away. Pole lands him close with ease.

Race 7 - Pennsylvania Sire Stakes

5 - CRUNCH HANOVER really impressed on June 23 at Magical Acres, edging clear from his rivals at will off the home turn to take his second of two qualifiers. He can leave strongly and kick home just the same. 7 - LOU'S PEARLMAN owns the fastest mile on the page by way of his 1:54 trial, but it was also around two turns. Closing speed is as potent as any. 2 - BILLY CLYDE won his debut at fives-on, brushing and then parrying pressure off the home turn. He figures to be close to the pace from the inside, although there's a lot of early speed on paper.

Race 8 - Winners of 5-7 PM Races

3 - NO DRAMA PLEASE held his ground well on arrival last week and sprinted off after reclaiming control on the far turn. This represents a lateral move, and the strength of that win encourages greatly. 6 - ALL AMERICAN N pushed steadily into the lead at the sixteenth pole last week, only for Next Level Stuff to sweep off cover and collar him at the line. Very capable presser-stalker. 2 - GRAPPLE HANOVER invades from Pocono following a powerful N6L win in his first start since December, when he proved a minor player locally at this level. He figures well for a share with a similar effort.

Race 9 - Pennsylvania Sire Stakes

3 - LITERL LAD HANOVER won his first qualifier in fine form, and then chased into a faster pace the second time around. Gingras's choice of three. 6 - ALWAYS A MIKI lifted from the pocket in his lone qualifier three weeks ago, and his 1:56 mile is the third fastest on the page. High hopes for the son of Always B Miki. 7 - INTELLIGENT AM showed sustained progress from astern in his lone qualifier, and his 26 1/5 last quarter sparkled. Wide draw is his biggest obstacle.

Race 10 - Pennsylvania Sire Stakes

5 - SUMMA CUM LAUDE reached in his second Gaitway qualifier after chasing stablemate Literl Lad Hanover in his debut. Strong stretch speed encouragees greatly. 6 - RED RIGHT HAND cleared, yielded, and kept up well with a 55 1/5 back half in his lone qualifier. Dunn and Takter team up yet again. 1 - ALMANAC demonstrated steady gains in both his Ohio qualifiers leading up to this debut. Pole can land him close for an easier chasing bid.

Race 11 - Pennsylvania Stallion Series

6 - ROLLBIN improved steadily in both his qualifiers, and his closing sectionals are the strongest on the page. There's not much early speed on paper, but he's got enough leaving ability to get involved early enough to his liking. 5 - LOU ED ZEPPELIN proved he could leave in his June 18 qualifier, but yielded and toiled ultimately. He gets Gingras on arrival. 2 - AQUAMAN HANOVER chased evenly at Magical Acres last week, and he seems to have enough speed to get around Bet Mine for decent early position. Minor call.

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

7 - MEADOWBRANCH RICKY chased well from the pocket on the step down to this level, but Sylvesteramericait was just too tough. Miller stays on the 14-time winner. 5 - FILLED DONUT drops a level after passing tired foes at the Big M in his return. Easier await second out; he just missed tougher at Dover twice in February. 1 - BOOTS N CHAINS was too far away to threaten at Yonkers last Thursday, but didn't lack for late trot at big odds. Class and post relief combined can help him improve second out.

Race 13 - Pennsylvania Stallion Series

3 - PURPLE SKY showed good late speed at the end of his Gaitway qualifiers. Solid mid-price option is the best finisher in the group, at least to this point. 4 - BAZOOKA HANOVER is David's choice of three; the Woodbine shipper pulled pocket in his second qualifier but ultimately was overtaken nearing the line. Mind value. 7 - DON'T BLAME LOU comes in from The Meadows after two good trials. On June 11, he emerged out of traffic to just miss. That kind of late burst will go a long way.

Race 14 - Pennsylvania Stallion Series

5 - LA SAVANE led until mid-stretch in his second qualifier, and he showed some closing ability in his first. Versatility is a definite plus. 4 - CAVIART RICHMOND is Gingras's choice after this one paced a 26 3/5 closing quarter in his Meadowlands trial. None here match that late speed. 1 - BATTERUP HANOVER brushed and edged clear to win his June 23 qualifier. The pole can yield an easy journey for him on debut following a strong enough morning tune-up.