Harrah's Philadelphia: Thursday 5/30 Analysis

By James Witherite

Race 1

6 - ALL MUSIC reached from the pocket on the rise last week. He's won 5 of 19 this year and he's rounding into form.
1 - CHARGER BLUE CHIP debuts for Dowse off the claim, and while he hit the board in his last two, he cedes a speed edge.
2 - VODKA IS TERROR made respectable gains from astern on the drop to this level last week. Post relief yields a far easier task.

Race 2

4 - MR HOUDINI chased well for minors in four of five against tougher. Burke trainee can lift further on this step down.
5 - YUGE overcame wide draws to make money in his last two. Not only does he drop from fifth-level company, but he draws perfectly.
2 - LAZURUS turned aside mild but sustained pressure to win at this level earlier in the month. Last year, he closed consistently.

Race 3

1 - FANATIC hit the board in four straight, and just missed by a length last out after clearing and yielding. Strong as any.
3 - ACROSS THE POND pressed and stalked her way into the money in her last two after a slow start to her career. Improving.
7 - POCONO HANOVER battled all the way to the line despite being headed 2f out last week. He's shown decent staying power.

Race 4

8 - IDEAL ROCKY lifted in the breeze to just miss on debut for Dowse. He's back in at the same level off that gritty effort.
7 - BETTORS GLASS broke at Yonkers a fortnight ago, but fared well at this level and tougher locally. Back to three turns.
4 - SENTENCING MEMO rises off a gritty first-over win. The 23-time winner has been warming back up, it appears. Can share.

Race 5

8 - ZAGSTER shook free late to save third in a top-level race last week. Forgive his wide bid two back; relief should aid.
6 - MR COOK SEAEYRE N is a logical roughie for inclusion, noting consistently good pressing and stalking bids of late.
2 - VALLEY OF SIN should be able to stalk closely and stay on.
7 - LINDY'S BIG BANG just missed in 1:53.1 at RcR; tougher await.

Race 6

8 - FASHION WINNER chased wide for third at 12-1 in a third-level race last out. Minor success with tougher noted.
2 - BUTTER TOFFEE didn't lack for late trot on the rise to this level, but was hindered by excess cover. Post relief helps.
4 - MAJOR IMPACT drops in class after an even but traffic- troubled trip. He just missed tougher from the pocket three back!

Race 7

2 - SYLVESTERAMERICAIT dominated similar at Pocono two back after toiling amid tougher. Back at a competitive level.
1 - BAZAAR BAZAAR makes his second start for Pavia after a respectable second from an earned pocket. Rises, gains Tetrick.
5 - PITTSTOP KIP keeps Morgan after an even effort in traffic at this level last week. He fared well with tougher in April.

Race 8

7 - DANCIN WITH ROSE figures to be involved from "go," noting she cleared from wide posts in her last 2. Lone speed?
1 - SWEET SUE makes her first start since November. I'm not that concerned with the Q line, given she chased Philly Hanover.
5 - DEAR DIARY earned minor cheques in all six of her starts this meet, and she improved mildly in her last two. Getting better.

Race 9

7 - SKY MARSHAL pressed and closed decently at this level 2 and 3 back. Should be better off last week's two-move win.
2 - FILLED DONUT pushed a :27.3 third Q and still had enough for second last week. He was just too far away to threaten before that.
3 - CASA PALMERA rises again after sprinting off and holding sway for a second straight week. Form encourages; be wary of price.

Race 10

2 - LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND broke at Yonkers but almost held off pressure at Pocono before that. He's back to three turns.
8 - TRAIN OF THOUGHT closed well for second at 15-1 behind Turville Hanover in his first try against winners. She's improving.
1 - BROWNIE took on winners for the first time last week, and he gained gradually for third. Pole, switch to three turns can help.

Race 11

4 - ANDOVER THE CASH lasted until upper stretch in the slop last week. The likely pace gets a second straight drop.
2 - SAINT SIMEON improved mildly for a no-match third in his 2019 debut. Similar await the 26-time winner; draw is favourable.
5 - WONDER BUNS chased evenly for minors in his last three starts after a lacklustre seasonal debut. Improving mildly.

Race 12

3 - NORTHERN MAJOR gained strongly into second up the far side last week before chasing evenly. Five foes rise.
1 - FASHION FOREVER invades from Yonkers after good late turn of foot from astern in his last two. Closer from the pole.
8 - DEO circled three-wide en route to victory a level below last week. Can threaten if able to stay on task; demand value.

Race 13

3 - TINY TIARA chased decently for third in a MD final earlier this month. She boasts a clear speed edge in this field.
1 - L DEES BELLA hit the board in her last three 2-year-old starts, including a Stallion Series race. Qualifier indicates fitness.
6 - WAYWARD MAN righted the ship pretty well last week after breaking two back. He can set the pace or rally off cover.

Race 14

2 - KID PK didn't lack on the rise to this level, aside from having no racing room on the far turn. A big threat if clear.
6 - NORTHWEST YANKEE closed better off excess cover on arrival here. There seem to be enough options for cover.
3 - VAPOUR N pressed and faded against tougher two back before an improved ground-saving effort. Strong enough stayer.