Pocono: Analysis for Saturday 8/20

BEST BET: JOVIALITY S (9th)

SPOT PLAY: TEMPORAL HANOVER (12th)

Race 1: Non-winners $17,500 in last 4 or 10 races or $100,000 life - Pick 4

(8) SPEEDY DOMINIC A has been in against the sharpest horse at The Meadowlands in Billy Clyde and before that he was tackling other Grand Circuit types. Bongiorno trainee gets unlucky with the draw but certainly has the chops to blast down the road. (3) LOU’S PEARLMAN is another getting some major class relief and he gets a post break as well; dangerous. (2) ROCKIN THE ACES has been fairly sharp but seems better suited for underneath.

[DRF BETS: Wager on today's Pocono card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 2: $75,000 James Lynch Consolation II

(1) YES AND YES flashed some ability at the start of her season before running into some issues. Lasix didn't help and now she returns without it off two strong qualifiers. This looks like the right spot. (4) FREE TO BE ME adds Lasix in her second start down and could show more. (6) SMUGGLE TINA has been in against tougher but will need a trip here.

Race 3: $100,000 Earl Beal Consolation II

(4) ROBERTSIN perked up nicely with Lasix removed and this guy always had ability. Against a soft field I'd expect to see his early speed. (7) STRIDE THE HILL has been off his game lately but might appreciate a field where he won't have to go a 55 half to be in contention. (3) SAVERIO HANOVER has picked up her game with Lasix added and class relief; gets tested here for class.

Race 4: $100,000 Max Hempt Consolation II

(2) HECANDANCENCRUISE has turned in a good effort each week he has drawn well. It won't be easy versus this group but he should be in striking position. (5) CAPTAINRYANMICHAEL finally gets away from some of the best 3-year-olds in the division. While I've never been his biggest fan, this field is soft. (1) JO PA'S WARRIOR and (3) JM'S FINALTREASURE both have early speed and form from inside posts.

Race 5: $125,000 Delmonica Hanover Consolation I

(2) DESIGN FASHION is more a pick against the others than a strong endorsement. Donato Hanover-sired filly has been right there each week and maybe the addition of Lasix can push her over the top. (3) GRACELYN HANOVER & (6) MISSWALNER FASHION is clearly the fastest horses in the race but each has two breaks in their last four starts.

Race 6: $125,000 James Lynch Consolation I - Pick 4

(1) SWEET TREASURE just missed versus the best filly in this division last time at The Meadowlands. Takter-trained daughter of Sweet Lou should take charge in this spot. (3) LYONS SERENITY was too far back last time and now she reunites with Tetrick. Filly is perfect in two starts over this track. (6) GALLERIA HANOVER threw in a clunker last time but her best certainly makes her a contender.

Race 7: $200,000 Max Hempt Consolation I

(1) GREATEST ENDING seems to have the best raw speed of this group. Perhaps the shift to a smaller track will benefit his style. (7) NAUTICAL HANOVER will need some pace help but is certainly capable of uncorking a strong final half. (8) MARKET BASED has never lost in five starts over this surface. (6) EARLY ACTION remains winless in 2022 after a strong 2021 season. As the potential favorite he's impossible to like.

Race 8: $200,000 Earl Beal Consolation I - Pick 5

(4) MOLOTOV COCKTAIL draws a perfect spot this week to either gun to the front or play it from off the pace. He's had some bad luck lately. (3) FINN PALEMA is clearly the sharpest horse in the race but he lacks class. (7) KING OF THE NORTH is back on Lasix now but he'll probably have to gun to the front to win; mixed feelings.

Race 9: $250,000 Delmonica Hanover

(1) JOVIALITY S gets away from the boys here and the smaller track size only helps her cause. She'll take a lot of beating. (6) MANON had too much to do after following excess cover last time and now she reunites with Tetrick. (5) MON CHEVAL has big early speed to gain position and a perfect record in four starts over the track.

Race 10: $250,000 James Lynch Memorial

(1) SWEET KISSES is as sharp as any horse in the field and she's sure to get lost in the wagering against this group of killers. Perhaps this Ron Burke trainee has found her groove. (6) TREACHEROUS DRAGON might have turned the corner herself in the Shady Daisy last time. She hasn't done much since changing barns but perhaps that is about to change. (7) MAX CONTRACT displayed a new dimension with early speed in the Shady Daisy. While I admit she's the best filly in the field on paper, this presents a difficult spot with speed to her inside and plenty of talent signed on.

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Race 11: $300,000 Max Hempt Memorial - $10K GTD Pick 4

(1) BEACH GLASS lost his only match-up with (3) BYTHEMISSAL but in his defense he was used in a 25 4/5 quarter and 53 4/5 half to take charge. That defeat combined with a slow 1:49 win last out on a track that was a bit "dead" at the time might be enough to get us close to 2-1 today. The latter is on a tremendous roll and will not go down without a fight. A win here would make him the clear leader in the division. (5) FOUREVER BOY gets a new set of hands at the controls and perhaps Dunn can work some magic.

Race 12: $300,000 Earl Beal Memorial

(6) TEMPORAL HANOVER went a big mile in the Hambletonian while losing by less than a length. Post 6 is perfect here as Sears can gun to the front and control the race. (3) PERICULUM might just be quick enough off the gate to leave around the two horses to his inside and even if he isn't, this guy can take air and survive on the rim. (1) COOL PAPA BELL deserves a ton of respect as the Hambletonian winner but he did work out a nice trip. I'll play against this time and see where that takes me.

Race 13: $100,000 Sebastian K Invitational Trot

(5) CUATRO DE JULIO acted up like he sometimes does and his day was over quickly in the Cashman. Leaving from the best post here and avoiding the top two male trotters, he could be in prime position. (6) SOUTHWIND TYRION had no chance after chasing slow fractions in his last start. He may need some help to win but if #8 fires out hard, he may get it. (7) BELLA BELLINI is likely going to be the favorite and that's a tough pill to swallow for a horse that could come away last on this track. I respect her ability but realize she could be aiming for better things and using this is a prep.

Race 14: $100,000 Always B Miki Invitational Pace

(2) BILLY CLYDE has been the hottest horse at The Meadowlands while beating up on lesser, though his last 1:47 3/5 win stacks up nicely with the 1:47 1/5 that they went on the same card in the McKee. Four-year-old gets a serious test for class today but might just be up to the task. (4) ALLYWAG HANOVER is clearly the horse to beat and if you can get north of even money he might be worth the short price. (5) AMERICAN COURAGE is very capable of a fast mile from off the pace if they mix it up. He basically went a training mile winning at Yonkers on Monday.