Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Thursday July 23

81 for 238 (34.0%) $305.80 (ROI: $1.29)
ITM: 161 for 238 (67.6%)
Best Bet: Always B Laughin (Race 4)
Spot Play: Filled Donut (Race 11)
Pick 4: 1,3,6/3,7/2,5,7/1,8 ($18)

Race 1 - Claiming $12,500
5 - INNER PEACE wired similar last week after four months off, and he looked sharp doing so. His 1:55 2/5 mile is the strongest around three turns on the page, and he figures to be even better second out. 1 - GUILTYWITHANEXCUSE rode the pocket behind Inner Peace the whole way around last week, and this kind draw can enable a similarly easy journey. Repeat exacta, maybe? 3 - HYWAY MARCUS faltered at the start on arrival a few weeks ago, but passed tired foes from astern to save the last cheque. If he can return to even a shadee of his form last year, he can figure in exotics.

Race 2 - 2YO Non-Winners 2 Races
4 - MANHOLMES pushed his way to victory on the drop to this level two weeks ago, and he gets another crack at this group before having to graduate to tougher foes. His first-over ascent on July 9 truly impressed. 1 - INTELLIGENT AM, much like Manholmes, failed to fire in PA Sire Stakes company. The Engblom trainee makes a similar drop today, and he also gains both Tetrick and the pole. 6 - SIMON SAYS HANOVER brushed for control in his Gaitway qualifier, but gave way in mid-stretch amid a :27 3/5 closing quarter. End-of-mile speed is a plus, and Dunn opts on.

Race 3 - Non-Winners 1 Race
3 - ANDELA drops a level after chasing out of traffic to save third in her Stallion Series event last week. Improved staying power is a plus. 7 - RUN LIKE HILL qualified well last week after over nine months away from action. Gait issues plagued his rookie season, but he's worth a shot in this softer maiden group after the grit he showed in his qualifying line. 5 - BABY DONUT faltered a bit late in her Stallion Series effort last week, but she turned in a 1:55 2/5 mile. That clocking is the fastest on the page over three turns. Can share if able to stay on track.

Race 4 - 2YO Fillies, Non-Winners 2 Races
4 - ALWAYS B LAUGHIN pushed clear powerfully to win her debut at 12-1. None of the new shooters particularly scare me here; every chance for her to repeat. 6 - ODDS ON BADD BUNNY qualified respectably in New Jersey on two occasions, including a 1:54 4/5 mile at M1 on July 11. Early exertion seemed to bring about her undoing in mid-stretch, but this field seems kinder save for the above named. 8 - SUMMER SQUALL failed to get into the race last out, but stayed in touch with the field throughout. Forgive her debut due to traffic trouble. Gains Callahan.

Race 5 - Non-Winners $7,000 Last 5 Starts
3 - BOXING GLOVES offered up long first-over pushes in his last two at Pocono, and held third both times. Ability to take air is a sure plus, and this represents a lateral move. Nap's choosing off may boost value. 2 - CAJOLE HANOVER works back up the class ladder after reaching second-level foes at 5-1 last week. He's clearly moving in the right direction; kind draw keeps him close with ease and Miller stays aboard. 6 - POWERFUL YIELD lifted into a no-match second last out after mild gains the week before proved futile. A favourable trip makes him a minor player, as it does 4 - ATABOY HANOVER, who was just even at odds-on last out after breaking locally, and 1 - NOBLE PRIZE, who reached the super at double-digit odds in three local tries this meeting.

Race 6 - Non-Winners $10,000 Last 5 Starts
After a dominant third-level score, 2 - WINNING AMERICAN rose to this level last week and made steady gains into third out of mid-division. Given steady improvement over recent weeks, he stands to lift even more - especially given that four of his rivals today are moving up in class. 1 - GUARD YOUR HEARTS likewise trounced third-level company, and she gains the pole amid this step up. Raw speed is in line with Winning American's, and Morgan opts to remain aboard. 6 - WINNERESS suffered road trouble last out, but chased well for third at this same level the start before. That July 2 line and his grind to third-level victory the week before are truer indicators of ability.

Race 7 - Non-Winners $14,000 Last 5 Starts, 7 Races, or $70,000
3 - SCIROCCO ROB improved mildly into fast closing quarters for minors in his last few tries with far tougher conditioned company - including Forbidden Trade and JL Cruze. Much easier await, post is favourable, and he's mighty fast. 6 - PAPPY GO GO exits the same race after chasing from astern with no chance to threaten. Relief helps the 33-time winner similarly. 1 - RESITA draws inside after exiting the same race. He won well on the point two and four back one level below this one.

Race 8 - Winners of 5-7 Races
3 - GRAPPLE HANOVER cleared from post 6 and led throughout a fortnight ago, only to be collared late by a strong Next Level Stuff. He's handled the jump to this level well, and he figures to be prominent from the outset once again. 7 - CAPTAIN KRUPNIK wired N5L foes two weeks ago and has won twice in three tries since returning to action, but will have to contend today with another outside draw and a class hike. Can form and versatility carry? Demand value. 6 - MACMORRIS HANOVER stayed on OK in his last two outings, most recently launching for the pocket and keeping it throughout in a similar race. Decent enough stayer can hold for a minor yet again.

Race 9 - Non-Winners $20,000 Last 5 Starts, 9 Races, or $90,000
Today's feature is an interesting one, with six horses moving up in class, one looking to reverse from slipping form, and one who hasn't raced since March. 2 - SKY MARSHAL gets the nod from me on account of current form. Just two weeks ago, he left for the pocket, was boxed, and chased well to only miss by a length at the level. I forgive the break at Harrington three back; he's been better since getting to wider turns. Tissue thin call in a wide open race. 5 - HOME'N DRY qualified well behind the tough Melady's Monet last last week. He more than held his own in Dover Opens this winter, but weakened some late in the meet. He's surely a contender with his best, but will he be in tip-top shape? 7 - FASHION CREDITOR rises after a going-away win from a hard earned pocket. Fits and plays with similar on the bump up amid strong form.

Race 10 - Non-Winners $4,000 Last 5 Starts
1 - RACEACE is reunited with Tetrick on his return to PHL after a failed first-over push into tougher at Pocono. In that June 26 local line, he rallied out of traffic for second behind a good Izoh. Can bounce. 5 - RENTIER dropped to this level last week and chased from the pocket to hold third behind an improving Cajole Hanover. Best if close and clear. 7 - CISCO PAL chased evenly at Pocono last week after a mixed bag of results in the Midwest. This group stacks up as a bit kinder.

Race 11 - Non-Winners $10,000 Last 5 Starts
2 - TROLLEY drops again, now to his most recent winning level. The 19-time winner's remained a pretty good stayer throughout, and he boasts some of the best raw speed in this group. After a third-place finish last week, he dodges the likes of Stormy Kromer and he gains Tetrick. Lots to like. 3 - SYLVESTERAMERICAIT also returns to this recent winning level, doing so after clearing, yielding and chasing to hold third with tougher at Pocono. Clearer sailing is a must; leaving ability is never in doubt. 5 - FILLED DONUT was a no-match second to a very credible Clive Bigsby last week, but wired similar three back. Much better horse than sixes would indicate, especially since returning to action.

Race 12 - Non-Winners 5 Races or $50,000
8 - SHAKE N BAKE broke at Yonkers last out, but was dismissed the 1-20 favourite after chasing evenly from astern in a pair of Graduate events. Tetrick opts back on; switch to three turns should aid gait issues immensely. 4 - WITH OUT A DOUBT battled gamely under pressure last out, and chased boldly out of traffic to just miss in her return outing. Similar foes await; a softer trip can lift her. 1 - BARLEY broke in his NJ Sire Stakes final, but turned in strong times and closing splits in the preliminaries. David's choice from the pole; mind value.

Race 13 - Non-Winners $2,500 Last 5 Starts
1 - ROYALE ELITE simply couldn't get into his last few races from astern at M1. Today, he gets three big changes: class relief, the pole and Tetrick. 2 - QUEEN FOR LIFE recovered well in her last, posting an even fifth in a stout enough mile at Pocono. Nap's stays on; speed edge can carry. 5 - COMMON PARLANCE fought on well after breaking to press strong middle fractions in the same race Queen For Life exits. A cleaner start from this midpack draw can give him more energy late in the journey.

Race 14 - Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000
5 - ROCK PARTY hasn't raced since September, but he held his own in minor stakes as a rookie and moved forward late in his lone qualifier this year. This group is a good bid easier than what he saw last year. 6 - IRON MINE DIVA pressed and faded in her Sire Stakes try, but chased well at this level two back. She's amply fast for these; pressing and brushing ability noted. 3 - CORSAIR rises after grinding to an 11-1 maiden win last week. Sustained progress is always a good sign; Tetrick takes over as David opts away.