Hawthorne Harness: Saturday 7/30 Analysis
Best Bet (12 - 21 / $61.40): SPIRITED ENCOUNTER (2nd)
Spot Play: FOX VALLEY NEMITZ (3rd)
Race 1
(6) SIRODSDALICRICKETT gelding pacer has been facing tougher in Indiana. If the 3-year-old minds his manners he's the horse to beat. (8) SLZBURGERSLZBURGER freshman pacer made a miscue last start but has some upside even against older. (5) THE SMIDGE also comes into the race off a break but had been very close at this level prior.
Race 2
(6) SPIRITED ENCOUNTER was used very aggressively last week before tiring a bit late. The 2-year-old is one of few threats in the race; big chance. (4) TINY JIM was right with the top choice last week and has flashed a decent burst of speed. (1) WINDIAN gets the best post in a field full of question marks.
Race 3
(1) FOX VALLEY NEMITZ two-year-old has shown tremendous toughness in all of his starts. (2) SPORTY REDHOT will look to make it four wins in four starts. (4) FRISKY BOB is more talented than what the pacer shows. One of these weeks he's going to score at a price.
Race 4
(8) SHARK REALITY three-year-old pacer might have some newfound confidence off his recent win. (7) SLEAZY DUDE hits the board with consistency but looks to offer low value. (9) EMMIA ROCKET almost circled the field last start after making an early break. The four-year-old might be the sleeper in the race with a good setup.
Race 5
(8) DR DRAKE RAMORAY didn't race well at this track the first go around. The pacer gets sent out for proven connections and has the ability. (7) HOLDONWE'REROLLING has question marks coming of a bad performance in the final; command a price. (3) HE GONE JACK is fast enough to get the job done with a smooth trip.
Race 6
(6) FOX VALLEY ELIJAH pacer looks primed for a big effort third start back off a long layoff. (8) COOL LIKE THAT couldn't seal the deal a few weeks ago against weaker but might offer value underneath. (5) MAKEOUTLIKEAPANDIT has been sharp in the new barn but has burned cash in two straight.
Race 7
In a fairly wide open race on paper, (2) ROYALE ROSE had very tough racing luck last week in the final being disqualified for interference. The pacer could be hitting his stride after a slow start to the year. (6) BS TYRRIFIC has shown the ability to get a good position off the starting gate which makes him dangerous late. (9) DAN D DUNE pacer always offers low value and needs a good setup to be close enough turning for home.
Race 8
(9) PART TIME five-year-old pacer has more talent than the field but is an enigma from week to week. (1) REJOICEANDBEGLAD was a game winner at this level two back. The pacer gets the best post in a field full of question marks. (6) LODI MACHETTE MAN has been competitive against similar and will offer a big price.
Race 9
(1) WHY ASK WHY gets sent out for a recent hot barn with the best post. (3) MONTERO BLUE CHIP has a terrible win percentage and looks to offer low value. (6) LUCKY CRUSADER is not what he once was but is taking a significant drop in class.
Race 10
(4) DUNESIDE SPORT will look to make it six wins in fourteen starts on the year. The top driver opted to the stable mate but that could just boost the price. (5) R DUNESHINE put in a big effort last week winning easily. The pacer will most likely offer another big price. (9) SUMMER SHANDY swept a better field last week from dead last. If the pacer races like that again he will be tough to beat.
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