Harrah's Philadelphia: Analysis for Wednesday 12/9

2020 Statistics (through Nov. 15 – 86 days)
Top Selections – Overall:
Win %: 450 for 1,194 (37.7%) ITM: 847 for 1,194 (70.9%)
Win Dividends: $1,988.10 - $2 ROI: $1.67
Pick-4: 1,4/2,3,4,6,7/4,7/3,6 ($20)
Best Bet: Rose Run Victoria (Race 6)
Spot Play: I'm Very Special (Race 9)

Race 1 - Claiming $10,000

4 - MYIDEALSON N dipped to this level and turned in a much stronger mile. Second start now in this condition; several good local miles this autumn. Likeable spot. Likes to be near the pace; good mobility for the level. 7 - SPICEBOMB encountered a tough trip last week, parked much of mile as favourite, bidding widely at one point in an eventful, congested vanguard. Positive notes noticed, he still saved second. Tough post here, but much raw speed for the level still shines. A less stressful trip can readily win. 2 - ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE is turning form around of late. Narrowly won at the level two starts prior; gets another good draw for his racing style this time. Encouraging progress and better late punch these days. Mind value.

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Race 2 - F&M Claiming $10,000-$12,500

3 - ALWAYS BE LUCY debuts for Hastings after hitting the board in six straight tries at the level. Form is as strong as any in the group; post is agreeable to her preferred racing style. 1 - KITTY RUSSELL invades form Plainridge, where she passed the tired in the Wilfork final. She does her best work from off the pace; solid value offering with live cover. 7 - ENGLISH ROSE N lifted to a clear win two back, but lost all chance when she broke last out. Pressing and stalking ability noted; mind value.

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Race 3 - F&M Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

3 - RYDIA HANOVER wired in like company to pay almost $9 last week after receiving full post relief. Appears to have found the level; says eligible seeking a third pari-mutuel win. Nearly certain to leave; good candidate to graduate to higher-value events. 1 - BREAK THE DEAL also won her last, remains eligible to win one more in the level, and has reliably produced to go up the class ladder this fall. Pole position can help another who likes to control the pace. Tough to choose against. 8 - SURE R LOOKING GOOD passed many rivals rapidly last time at this level; better since getting rest last month. Looms dangerous, now fresh. Price drifting potential.

Race 4 - Claiming $10,000

5 - SPRINGBRIDGE PROUD lifted to back-to-back wins at this level since returning from Pocono. He seeks his fourth straight win for powerful connections, and is absolutely capable of winning off a helmet - something hard to do at PHL under normal circumstances. 1 - RED DIRT BOOMER worked into third and maintained that spot all the way to the line on the drop to this level last week. Pole can help him land closer in the early stages. 2 - SPECTRUM has been fourth or better in three starts at this level, all from on or near the pace. Respectable minor player with a similar effort.

Race 5 - F&M Non-Winners $2,500 Last 5 Starts

6 - IAQUINTA improved markedly last week at very long odds and seeks to build on that level. Gained well over a full second against the field. Most overall experience of the lineup. Current form can dominate; good key for the Hi-5. 8 - JANUARY A will be tested today from the outside post, yet stayed in contention much of last week against like rivals. Prime beneficiary against any excessive speed should it arise. 5 - OOH REAL GOOD closed in last time as well and drops today. Must include, excellent situation. 2 - JUSLIKEAQUEEN is the class candidate of this group and also drops to this lowest level. Chance to renew? Useful addition. 1 - SWEETER LULU gets the prime post draw and has finished consistently in the top four since reaching this level. One more to consider.

Race 6 - F&M Non-Winners 5 Races or $50,000

3 - ROSE RUN VICTORIA makes her local debut after two good pressing and stalking outings at The Meadowlands. The OSS Super Final winner has knocked heads with far tougher than the foes she faces today. Easily the filly to beat. 2 - MOANING LISA rises to the N5L ranks after pulling the pocket and sprinting off to graduate from N3L company last week. Gains Nap this time around; inside draw keeps her near the action with ease. 5 - SHE'S NUN BETTOR N makes her second start back since September after a game runner-up effort on Nov. 18 and a sick scratch since. Dunn opts to remain on; mind value off the spell despite proven success at the level late in the summer.

Race 7 - F&M Non-Winners $10,550 Last 5 Starts

4 - JOSSIE JAMES A rises again after earning victory in her last two. Mid-price player in a pretty stout fourth-level group, but she's ramping up pretty strongly. 1 - BYE BYE FELICIA is making a similar move up after chasing steadily out of mid-division to just miss in her last. Cosy draw can keep her similarly sharp late in the mile. 7 - APPLE BOTTOM JEANS pressed and stalked her way into top-three finishes against similar or tougher in her last three outings. The millionaire's class edge is clearly noted, but a wide draw will yield a tougher task. Mind value.

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Race 8 - F&M Non-Winners $4,000 Last 5 Starts

1 - PIRAEUS made steady gains for third at big odds last week, and now steps down amid improving form. She's hit the board in four of six. 4 - TSM ARTEMIS T missed her last assignment due to transport issues, but she sustained steady gains to only miss by a length at this level in her last. Proven staying power makes her a big value player despite the price. 2 - LITTLE HONEYBADGER rises on arrival from Freehold, where she lifted to reach at sixes last out after closing for minors twice before. Gains Nap on arrival.

Race 9 - F&M Non-Winners $15,500 Last 5 Starts, 7 Races or $70,000

7 - I'M VERY SPECIAL has been reliably in the money for many weeks amid numerous circumstances. Tough post, but versatility outshines, both in racing method and in setting. Narrow call to win against many successful mares. 4 - ROYALTYWESTHO won smoothly in her last and hops up one level. Formidable connections, reliably able to keep up and sometimes gain. Medium-price player. 2 - TANGO DANCER N joins us from New Jersey and gets an easier circumstance today. Likes this oval; late kick gets noticed. Attractive situation, final miles consistently in a narrow, plenty fast range. She's hit the board in half of her career races.

Race 10 - Non-Winners 1 Race

3 - KEEPTHETAB HANOVER hit the board in five straight starts since arriving from Pocono, and he consistently gains all the way to the finish line. Far and away the strongest in this group. 6 - SIMON GOT LUCKY hit the board in all four of his starts to date, but cedes a slight raw speed edge and a post advantage. Still, he has demonstrated respectable staying power thus far. 1 - ANDOVER THE HALO makes her second local start after passing tired foes on debut for Toscano last week. The pole can help her land closer to the action early on and close from a more manageable spot.

Race 11 - F&M Non-Winners 3 Races or $30,000

6 - SO IRRESISTIBLE takes on winners for the first time after a gritty maiden win on Nov. 27. Ability to repel sustained pressure can carry her a long way. Gains Gingras. 3 - SPECIAL ACHIEVER won well at Yonkers two back, but was simply too far from striking range on arrival last week. Kinder draw can aid. 4 - SHES A MAJOR LADY invades from M1 after failing to threaten in a pair of bottom-level races there. Can she improve third out after an extremely long layoff?

Race 12 - Non-Winners 1 Race

4 - GRETZKY seeks his first goal today. Loomed bold and close last week. Recent gait concerns appear resolved, and he's back to his form noticed several months ago where he put down some searing final quarters for a youngster. 5 - STAR SPEAKER has knocked on the door all throughout the autumn. Likely best heard from in miles beneficial to closers. Fits in for a slice or more. 6 - ISSA HORSE can overcome higher draws and in more versatile ways of late. Numerous choices, the most experienced of the sextet. High-percentage conditioning noted.

Race 13 - F&M Non-Winners $7,000 Last 5 Starts

3 - ABUELITA HANOVER dropped to this level last week and sustained overland gains into third. Twice before that, she tired after pressing the pace into the far turn. Signs of ability against tougher encourage in a field with a handful stepping up. 1 - QUEEN LOSTRIS N cleared, yielded, and emerged out of traffic to save second at this level last out. Pole can minimise need for early exertion; clear sailing is a must. 2 - BARON REMY rises after a two-move second-level win. Recent outings at this level and above indicate pressing and chasing ability, but price may take a hit on account of higher-level lines earlier in the fall.

Race 14 - Non-Winners $4,000 Last 5 Starts

5 - BICORNE HANOVER chased for a no-match second on the drop to this level last week, and his 1:52 mile is enough for a clear-cut speed edge in this group. 6 - RANCOUSY invades from Yonkers after pacesetting and pocket efforts came up just short. Moves laterally on arrival. 3 - ROCK N ROW was just even last out, but lifted well for second against easier foes the start before. Live flow can help him boost value in deeper exotics.