Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Thursday 8/27

Best Bet: One Eight Hundred (Race 11)

Spot Play: Filled Donut (Race 14)

Pick-4: 1,5,6/4,5/3,7/3,4 ($12)

6 - SKEEZIX improved out of mid-division to hit the board in his last two tries at the level, and his week-over-week improvement is pretty clear. Similar trajectory makes him a credible mid-price option here. 7 - HIGGS BOSON gains Napolitano after hitting the board in his last three $12.5k tries. Outside draw is his main stumbling block, but overland staying power is a plus. 1 - DATA is amply fast for the group by way of recent 1:56-and-change miles, and he stands to benefit from a cosy inside draw this time around. Can share with similar.

Race 2 - PA Stallion Series

3 - PANTERA lifted off cover to just miss at Pocono after Sire Stakes foes proved just too tough. Engblom trainee has ample promise, and the kinder draw should yield an easier task. 7 - CHEESY HANOVER hasn't missed the super since her career debut. Pacesetting efforts in recent Stallion Series outings yielded minor placings, but her raw speed is enough to contend credibly in this group. 5 - KEYSTONE BARRACUDA was subject to pressure up the far side last week in an improved effort after toiling in Sire Stakes fields. Credible value option for exotics.

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

4 - WORTH THE MONEY AS almost lasted on the drop to this level earlier in the month, but early exertion from post 7 stung him some in narrow defeat to Soda Pump. Kinder draw should aid. 2 - SORTIE HANOVER Exits second-level company after a tough journey there. Staying power in $15k events translates well to this easier spot. 3 - CHAS HANOVER dropped to this level on arrival last week and made up nearly four lengths through the final quarter. Can share again if close and clear.

Race 4 - PA Stallion Series

3 - MAY KARP powered clear of similar on the far turn at Pocono last week after a late misstep in the Doherty. Amply tested as a minor player with tougher; this group should be easy by comparison. 1 - FRANKLY MY DEAR only missed Sire Stakes foes by a half length on July 6, but has been out of action since save for a tightening qualifier last week. Mind value off the layoff. 5 - R SPEED OF LIGHT broke early at Pocono last week, but pressed and held third at 90-1 at The Meadows the week before. Fair standout can prove a credible value option in deeper exotics provided she stays flat early.

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

1 - WISENHEIMER lifted out of traffic to win at Pocono last out, and effectively wired just easier three back. He gets along with this course well, and the pole can alleviate a very minor class hike. 4 - LION SAFARI AS also seeks consecutive wins after lifting off cover to reach at M1 three weeks ago. He's done well off helmets lately, and Dunn knows him well. 6 - DYNAMIC EDGE cleared, yielded, and chased from thee pocket to just miss Wisenheimer in their Aug. 15 meeting. Form is strong as any; best when close to the action. 7 - CASA PALMERA rises amid strong form and proven staying power, and 3 - GINGER TREE SKYR Showed up for minors from off the pace in two tries at the level after soundly beating fourth-level types.

Race 6 - PA Sire Stakes

5 - ANOKA HANOVER won decisively at The Meadows two weeks ago, and came back to narrowly miss from far off the pace at Pocono. Her 1:54 2/5 mile over the red shale is her fastest to date; steady week-over-week improvement encourages greatly. 1 - INSTA GLAM only narrowly held third over Anoka Hanover in their Pocono meeting. Promising daughter of Father Patrick opened her career with a pair of stakes wins, both after letting the dust settle and then brushing. Pole gives Tetrick tactical freedom. 4 - EVENING STROLL earned money in all five of her starts to date. And while she only mustered fifth at Pocono last out, she only missed by a length after being hemmed in. Capable presser-stalker exits the same race as the above pair. Can share if free.

Race 7 - Winners of 5-7 Races

5 - MACMORRIS HANOVER parried pressure and scooted clear at odds-on last week after a string of minors at this level. Despite cause for excuses in those previous lines, he still performed well enough to be a significant factor up to the winning post. Midpack draw is perfect for this leaver-presser. 6 - SOUTHWIND AVENGER won a Graduate split four back, but was stung by uncovered exertion in his last two starts. He still managed a 1:54 1/5 mile in his last, and that's enough to contend in this group. With his 'A' game, he's a definite threat. 1 - SPEE CLUB is returning to action after 5-1/2 months off, but if he's anywhere near Dover form, he'll be in fine shape. Outside leaving ability and staying power thereafter speaks volumes for his endurance when he's in top condition. Pole makes for an easier task in this return outing. Worth a shot at a healthy price.

Race 8 - PA Sire Stakes

4 - GIMME SHELTER won four of six to start her career, including a hard-won PA Sire Stakes event at Pocono last week. After rating a soft first half, she dug deep to fend off pressure from Pub Crawl and a late charge from Gold Stones. They all meet again here. 5 - YOU ATO DREAM comes in from a significantly faster division, in which she lifted steadily through the far turn to miss by only a head. She's proven herself a capable presser, stalker and closer so far, but she's yet to find the line first. Demand better than the line presumes. 6 - PUB CRAWL pressed and flattened after Gimme Shelter rebuffed her last week. Before that, she earned a win and a second-place finish in PASS events, both after overcoming wide draws. Versatility encourages.

Race 9 - Non-Winners $14,000 Last 5 Starts, 7 Races or $70,000

3 - GOES DOWN SMOOTH seems to have his mojo working again, if his last two wins are any indication. As easily as he trounced fourth-level company two weeks ago, he shouldn't have any trouble here with a similar effort. 7 - EUROBOND was torched by pressing a :25 2/5 quarter in the Vincennes before breaking. Well before that, he won comfortably two levels above this one right here. I don't think speed breaks will be an issue here. 1 - BLUEBIRD JESSE landed in third and advanced without cover to just miss at this level two weeks ago. Before that, he made steady yet mild inroads from astern at Pocono. Gains Tetrick and the pole; should be able to lift with more authority as such.

Race 10 - PA Stallion Series

4 - LOVE MUFFIN won decisively at The Meadows two back before just giving way in the last strides at Pocono. Three-time winner could figure as lone speed; Corey's choice. 3 - TREND chased to hit the board in her last three stakes outings after a better-than-even fourth in her lone Sire Stakes try. Less early exertion from a fairly cosy draw can give her more late oomph. 1 - LEXA HANOVER tired after pressing a :28 4/5 third quarter at Pocono on the drop to this level last week. Mild Sire Stakes success earlier in the season can carry well to this event.

Race 11 - 2YO Non-Winners 2 Races

7 - ONE EIGHT HUNDRED made two moves to win his Stallion Series race at Pocono out of post 8 - on debut, no less! Easier await in the shadow of that stout effort to reach. 4 - SOUTH BEACH STAR also drops in from Stallion Series company, and he just missed on debut right here after drafting in midfield early and closing boldly into a quickening pace. 2 - CARBINE qualified strongly in 1:54 4/5 at Pocono last week, and he's posted sub-:28 last quarters in his last two lines. Cosy draw can help him make the best possible use of that strong staying power for at least a minor.

Race 12 - PA Stallion Series

7 - MYREANNA overcame traffic well to save second at Pocono last week, and demonstrated pressing and chasing ability in past stakes outings. Kakaley's choice; a bigger threat if clear sooner. 6 - MISS CLEOPATRICK recovered from a break to pass tired foes in her PASS debut, and then hasn't been worse than fourth in four starts since. Staying power and pressing ability noted. 8 - MIDPOINT is Tetrick's choice despite yet another wide draw. She has ample outside leaving ability, so she figures to get involved. Can boost exotic value if able to stay on.

Race 13 - 2YO Fillies, Non-Winners 2 Races

1 - RTHESTARSOUTONITE parried pressure on debut three weeks ago, and is the lone winner in this field. Every chance to repeat in similar fashion. 4 - KISS THE CAPTAIN gets a kinder assignment compared to earlier stakes outings. Raw speed is more than ample for this group, and she should be fit after her qualifier last week. 2 - PEAKS CRUISER cleared, yielded, and kept even in traffic in her Stallion Series outing two weeks ago. She just missed from the pocket locally at this level the start before. Should be close with ease again.

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

7 - FILLED DONUT has hit the board in five of six, including a win at this level on July 2. Most recently, he gave futile chase to a pair of tougher fifth-level foes yet held third well at 14-1. Miller opts off, but this one's consistently good efforts at this level and tougher encourage most. 3 - ABBIE'S CELTICLASS lifted from the pocket to collar Filled Donut at this level two back, but since toiled a level above. She drops back to a level where she has proven she can contend from the pocket or off cover alike. 5 - SKYWAY COBRA hit the board in three of his last four, all at this level or tougher. Raw speed and staying power are both ample; can contend even in this tougher fourth-level assignment.