Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Thursday 8/13

Best Bet: Southwind Mina (Race 11)

Spot Play: Guiltywithanexcuse (Race 2

Pick-4: 1/2,3,4,6,7/1,6/1,2,6 ($15

Race 1 - Claiming $15,000

2 – STATESMAN N improved strikingly in his return from a month-long rest. Back class commands respect and likes smaller courses. The right post for the 13-year-old's preferred racing style. Narrow call in a field that might produce some surprises, particularly if early speed is significant. 3 – HIGHVIEW CONALL N returns today to his best track this year. Best post in a long while. Won at the level with an even press against the longtime leader. Price drifting potential. Should be forwardly placed from "go." 1 – BOOGIE SHUFFLE returns from a near month of rest that included a veterinary scratch. Very lightly raced this year but started off well in a brief stint at Pocono this summer. May need one as a useful tune-up. Most prior form attracts.

Race 2 - Claiming $12,500

2 - SMART AS A WHIP struck at big odds last week by way of a powerful two-move effort from post 8. He didn't lack for ability in prior outings, but last week's 48-1 score can surely serve to boost confidence. 3 - GUILTYWITHANEXCUSE has been a consistent minor player at this level from a variety of trips. On a whole, he has consistently outperformed his odds. 4 - DATA chased well from the pocket in his first start back. This race represents a slight step up from second-level company, but he does gain Tetrick.

Race 3 - Non-Winners $10,000 Last 5 Starts

6 - AMADOR was a solid second behind the much tougher Tight Lines at this level last week. The step down to this level proved extremely beneficial; can continue to build. 4 - GOLDEN SON invades from Pocono after a string of three solid second-place efforts at the level. The 27-time winner isn't lacking for leaving ability; kinder draw can leave him with more late energy. 5 - ARMAGEDON SEELSTER chased well to hit the board in four of his last five, all at this level or tougher. Can share with similar regardless of trip.

Race 4 - 2YO Non-Winners 2 Races

2 – MAKE MY DEO makes his Philadelphia debut and is an encouraging youngster, turning in a rapid sub-:27 fourth quarter in New Jersey two weeks ago. A week's rest since, so fresh. Slim call against several presenting terrific prospects. 4 – HIPPESTCATINTOWN put up a terrific qualifier locally and is one of my top spot plays on the card. Hans is having a good season with us thus far and has put some notable colts in play through the recent past. Here is a new one to keep an eye on today and beyond. Foster qualified him and retains the seat. 6 – MIKI U SO FINE has plenty of raw speed, keeping up admirably to be a close second in a fast race for the class. Hasn't missed a cheque yet and has developing versatilities. Tetrick back again. Outer post is not a concern; could seek lead or float.

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

4 - GOES DOWN SMOOTH fought gamely in his last through much of the mile and won with a widening advantage. Slight class rise today and a remarkable reversal of form is happening. Must mind manners. 3 – HEADSAREGONNATURN had a good spring in Maryland, and joins us after kicking off the summer at Oceean. Last two miles were beneficial, looks ready and versatile enough to fit in with this level. Readily shares. 1 - HIGHLAND DYNAMITE ships in from Canada and has been improving well. One among many who fit and play. 8 – BROADWAY BRUISER was struggling in New Jersey of late, but does have wins in 2020. Potential price drifter needs a way into the race for best results. 2 – YUGE made an uncharacteristic break in the lane last time out and joins today from Yonkers. Has had mild successes on this oval historically.

Race 6 - Non-Winners 1 Race

2 - BRUTALLY LUCKY fought gamely after retaking in his last, and came away with a second straight runner-up effort. Form is improving steadily. 7 - AP HALL OF TRIX just missed from the pocket last out after being eclipsed at Pocono on July 21. Raw speed impresses; mind value noting wide draw. 1 - HILLBAR broke in her last stakes outing, but kept even with tougher locally two back. Class relief should surely aid after recent progress.

Race 7 - Non-Winners $4,000 Last 5 Starts

1 - BROADWAY MOJO almost lasted at odds-on on the drop to this level last week. Raw speed stands out; Nap opts on. My single. 3 - SODA PUMP rises after reaching first-level types from the pocket. He has likewise improved steadily in recent outings. 4 - VALLEY OF SIN drops to the easiest class he's seen in recent memory (we're talking a good couple years) after passing tired foes from astern two weeks ago. Post relief can land him closer, too.

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

4 – HENDERSON SEELSTER gets the tissue-thin nod in a race loaded with reliable weekly talents in our region. I believe he was in much too tough in New Jersey last out. However, he handled like class with us much more readily in early July and ought to bounce back accordingly to good result. Attractive position and probably firing strong off the gate. Gets back with Tetrick, who won with him in the PHL event. 2 – SYLVESTERAMERICAIT has been lightly raced this year yet is doing fine work locally that includes a win. Rather hard to choose against, a terrific win chance. While not passing rivals, he still closed in a lot faster last week. 7 – GILLIE THE KID has a tough assignment but has won from a challenging post back in the spring when he spent some time down US 13. Can spice exotics and has a 50% ITM rate. Will almost assuredly leave or float. Consider.

Race 9 - Winners 5-7 Races

6 - TW LAUXMONT struck up the open stretch at eights two weeks ago for a second straight win. He's right back against similar today, and the nearly identical field can yield nearly identical circumstances. Worth a shot at sixes. 1 - WINNERUP gained steadily wide of rivals to take second at this level last week after minor success in the Graduate. Post keeps him close early; mind value. 5 - CROSSFIT rallied out of traffic to save third last week. His stout pressing effort three back impresses me the most.

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

2 - KATKIN AND COKE made steady overland gains and rallied off cover for second in his last at Pocono. Moves laterally on arrival; reunited with Nap. Minor success a level above in July encourages. 1 - MR HOUDINI drops a level after a mixed bag of results in tougher races since returning. Pole can keep him close; raw speed suits. 6 - MYSTICAL WYNN pushed clear at odds-on to win on the drop at Pocono last Monday. This step up is minimal.

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

4 – SOUTHWIND MINA closed smartly in a like contest last week and got close as favourite. High-percentage connections and a bright future for this exceptionally well-bred filly make this an emphatic top call of the card. 7 – RTHESTARSOUTONITE won convincingly on pari-mutuel and purse debut and led throughout most of the mile. Able to pass tiring foes in preliminaries in New Jersey before the splashy debut. Attractive and one of the two who are going to be rather tough to beat by all indications. 2 – VICINITY gets a better post today and returns to a course where she put up the best final quarter in her young career. Extra week off should aid. Pressed the leader capably two starts back at The Meadows. A filly with superb breeding getting an ideal spot to perk up and put in her best showing yet. Another spot play with good price potential.

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

3 - HOUSE HUBBY returns to action after five months off. He won his qualifier for Watson; Nap opts on. 8 - FRAC chased from an earned pocket to protect second on the drop to this level last week. Dubé takes over; similar await. 7 - ROYALE ELITE toiled some last out after exerting to clear. Debuts for new connections after a tough start to the year.

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

6 - BIG NUDGE pushed clear stoutly in his second move of the race last out following strong runner-up outings at the level. He's putting it all together. 7 - PROTEAS angled off the pegs and chased to save second behind Big Nudge. Forgive his first-over effort two back on account of an extended overland journey. 2 - SHEER MUSCLE returns from Yonkers off a game first-over try, and while likely the best horse in the race, the least likely to offer suitable value. Include, but keep an eye on price.

Race 14 - Non-Winners $10,000 Last 5 Starts

3 - SKY MARSHAL steps down after even efforts for minors against tougher. Tetrick's choice of three can benefit from a cosier draw as well. 4 - EXPLOSIVEBREAKAWAY worked up into second against tougher last week in pursuit of the dominant Rich And Miserable. Further relief is an aid; mind value. 5 - SKYWAY COBRA pounced at this level three back, but was just even from mid-division last Thursday. Similar await; recent efforts indicate he can figure well in exotics.