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Handicapping

Week Of 7/15 - 7/21
SU15
MO16
TU17
WE18
TH19
FR20
SA21

Track Handicapper Darin Zocali's Bio
	RACE REVIEWS by Darin Zoccali A thoroughbred and standardbred racing announcer and analyst, Darin works for several racetracks including the Meadowlands, Parx Racing at Philadelphia Park and Tioga Downs. He is also a regular fill in on Sirius XM Radio's Down The Stretch broadcast. He is a graduate of St John's University (class of 2005) and is one of the youngest announcers/broadcasters in the racing business.

Race Reviews For Saturday, July 21, 2012

1

First Race

Picks: 6-4-8-7

H	Horse	Comment
1	KEEP GOING	Raced better last week, showing speed on both ends of the mile. This field is wide open and he has a good a chance as any.
2	KAUFMAN HANOVER	No excuse last time as this gelding just came up empty. His prior effort was good though. Mixed signals here.
3	MEGA LIGHTNING	Like many in here, he is dropping in class, so I’m not sure how much of a drop it is. He ran out of steam in the lane.
4	EAGLE JOLT	Gets the tepid call as the favorite in a wide open field. The drop in class is immense and his speed makes him dangerous.
5	RILEYS LUCK	Just couldn’t stay close enough last week. Raced OK at this level on 7/7, but this field is much tougher. Must step it up.
6	GREAT VINTAGE	Been facing a couple of tough fields and finished 2nd to the Meadowlands Pace runner-up on 6/30. Legitimate Threat.
7	SCOTTY MACH N	His best asset is his speed and I expect Rattray to send him out. Caught a loaded field for this class. Still a player.
8	ART FOR ARTS SAKE	He’s been close in each of his last couple of starts. The wide draw won’t help him. Like that he picks up Miller.

2

Second Race

Picks: 9-4-2-5

H	Horse	Comment
1	LEGENDARY MYTH	His QUA’s have been decent, but things haven’t worked out so far under the lights this year. Watch for improvement.
2	LEGAL DREAM	Showed serious improvement in his last start, pacing a much faster mile. He has early speed too. Looks like a contender.
3	SAVANNAH SPLENDOR	Got off to a slow start last week from the pole. He passed several horses in the stretch. Must stay closer early.
4	EIGHT TEN EOM	Finally, he gets a good post position, and he is likely to take money on that alone. Lachance has options here. Player.
5	DOC TELLADAY	He came from a tough spot last time and just flattened out in the stretch. He can improve off that. Should offer value too.
6	ROCK N ROLL LEGEND	Added Lasix last time but he made a miscue. Gelding is yet to prove he can win at the big track. Up against it.
7	CROCODILE ROCK	Showed speed last time before getting tired. He’s probably better from off the pace. With a trip, he can get a piece.
8	ONLY ROCK N ROLL	He just has not been finishing his miles with a flourish and is now 0 for 9 on the year. He must find more in the lane.
9	MR POMPO	Squandered a pocket trip last out, but he may have needed that start off the freshening. He is a candidate to improve. Upside.
10	HOT ART	He certainly has put together a pair of nice rallies his last 2 starts. But, will he have to pass the whole field here? That’s tough.

3

Third Race

Picks: 6-1-3-4

H	Horse	Comment
1	ROCKSTAR TEMPER	Been facing better and he almost pulled off an upset against a better group on 6/23. Class drop will only help him.
2	HARRAH’S BEST	Been struggling once again this year, following a winless 2011. He is hard to endorse until he shows improvement.
3	FOUR STARZ LOUIE	Those last pair of starts were against solid fields for Nw6500. That makes this a major class drop. Should be tough.
4	BRANDON’S COLT	He was 2nd to a big dropdown winner at this level in early June. If he can re-find that effort, he can win this. Player.
5	FROG JUICE	New pilot has to find a way to keep him closer early. It’s nearly impossible to win when your 10th at ¾’s. This is a class drop.
6	CARSON CITY ROAD	Raced well on Tuesday at Yonkers and that’s encouraging off a good effort at Tioga. Seems to be moving forward.
7	INCOGNITO	Never got involved from post 10 last time. He has been rather dull for the past few weeks. Like that he gets Miller in this field.
8	TREY	He was a little better last time, but he still isn’t finding enough in the stretch. But he has been progressing. Using in the dime super.
9	YOUTH UPRISING	Doesn’t have much early speed and doesn’t finish his miles well. That’s a rough combination. Must step it up.
10	HE’S A BEACHBOY	Gelding has a little bit of speed, but not sure how he is going to handle the long stretch. I advise watching this time.

4

Fourth Race

Picks: 6-7-5-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	FROM ABOVE	He was considerably better in The Dancer, that’s a positive step for him. Drew well and let’s see another step forward.
2	GYM TAN LAUNDRY	His effort in The Goodtimes was encouraging, but he was not as good in The Dancer. Still, that was a fast mile.
3	ROYAL SHYSTER	This colt cost a pretty penny at Harrisburg, and frankly he has been a disappointment. He was an excellent 2 year old.
4	NEW YORK MUSCLE	Owns a win in Nw1 company. This is massive leap in class from there. Tackles several legit Hambo contenders.
5	RICCOLO	Trond found his Hambo horse, in Illinois. Private purchase has been on a tear this year. Is he this good? Trond only helps.
6	MARKET SHARE	I really like this colt. He seems to always come with a solid try. He likes this track and I think he could be tough to beat.
7	WEINGARTNER	Colt really could not have looked any better in that QUA. He is on the fast track to Hambo, so a big effort is required.

5

Fifth Race

Picks: 6-3-2-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	WESTERN TRADEMARK	This is the right level, and you have to like the move inside. There are a handful of contenders, including him.
2	INTHEBLINKOFANEYE	Speaking of contenders, it is hard to be much sharper than this gelding. He responded to the class drop, too.
3	FITZ’S Z TAM	He has been facing tougher than this virtually all year, so this class drop is significant. Can easily jump up and win this.
4	KEVLAR HANOVER	Disappointing in that series final and now has been off 3 weeks. He’s a fringe player in a very difficult field. Maybe.
5	MCELODIAN	Never really got seriously involved last time. He should find himself in a live outer flow here. But, he’ll need to be better.
6	MCCLELLAND	Been facing some of the better older horses in the game and catches some serious class relief here. He’ll be a handful.
7	RESCUE PLAN	Like the speed he showed on both ends of the mile last time. Not sure he can win this, but he should be left on tickets.
8	SNIPER SEELSTER	Beat a softer group on 6/30, but last time against similar he could only manage a minor award. Similar result here.

6

Sixth Race

Picks: 5-1-7-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	BULLET BOB	Kicks off a tough field. He was good last time, and finished 2nd behind ‘Verdad on 6/30, who he meets again. Using a bit.
2	SHAKERATTLENROCK	He is going to take play off his Meadowlands Pace lines, but he’s far from a lock here. Wouldn’t take short price.
3	MORTAL ZIN	His past couple of starts have not been very productive and in a field like this, a major turnaround is required.
4	DIVULGE	He brought a large sales price at the January Sale, and he is yet to perform to that price. Talented, but he needs to improve.
5	VERDAD	It is not easy for a 3YO to face tough older condition horses, so his last effort was good. I think he is a major contender in here.
6	SOCIAL NETWORK	He’s been facing older horses lately, so perhaps he can be better here. But, his tardy starts are becoming a concern.
7	COLD HEARTED SHARK	Hard to be much sharper than this guy is for Team Teague. He should be a legitimate contender in here.
8	PRINCE SHARKA	Exits the same race as ‘Network, so he should also appreciate the move to just 3YO’s. Can see him earning a share.

7

Seventh Race

Picks: 3-7-1-9

H	Horse	Comment
1	OSCAR OSCAR	Coming off a sick scratch. Prior to that he got buried inside behind and really had no chance. This field is a tad easier.
2	AVENUE HANOVER	Making his 2nd start back off the layoff and he certainly wasn’t bad last time. I would keep him on dime super tickets.
3	BIG BAM RAY	Renews his rivalry with Oscar here and he might be a bit sharper than that foe. He was able to stay closer on 7/7, too.
4	MEANT TO BE ME	This horse has such a high cruising speed and he should improve in his 3rd start off the freshening. Interesting.
5	BOLERO ANDREW	Nothing wrong with his last effort, except this field came up much tougher. He’ll need to be even better in here.
6	FREDDY DAY HANOVER	He raced well against Blatantly Good, and just throw out his last start from post 8 at YR. Will offer a price.
7	WON THE WEST	What do we expect here? He just has not been the same horse this year. He is likely to be favored. Scary proposition.
8	GRAMS LEGACY	Showed up with a much improved effort last time and he likely will have to be even better here. Should offer value.
9	PANESTHETIC	You always have to respect his speed and he is still pretty sharp. Can he take this field wire to wire? Tough assignment.

8

Eigth Race

Picks: 5-1-8-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	D MAC	Getting some class relief here, but he also hasn’t race in 5 weeks. Winner of last was a very good 3rd in The Meadowlands Pace.
2	ARTS IDEAL HANOVER	That was a sharp qualifier to say the least. But, he has made breaks in his last 3 pari-mutuel races. Risky.
3	RELENTLESS DREAMER	Has not handled the move up to Nw3 company very well. It would take a form reversal now to contend.
4	LLC DELIGHT	He’s in the upcoming Mixed Sale so the connections are looking for a good effort. Still, he is a tough play off his last pair.
5	TAXED	Threw in an uncharacteristic break last time. Although he has just one win this year, he should work out a trip from here. Value play.
6	MICHAEL’S DREAM	He has not taken his Rosecroft form on the road with him and this field won’t make it any easier on him. Longshot.
7	ROCKWEILLER	Nobody in this class was beating Brent Montana last time. This field has some talent in it as well. Prefer underneath.
8	MAJOR BOMBAY	Could not overcome the mistake leaving the gate last week. If he has his mind on business, he will be a legit contender.
9	EVERGREEN POWER	That was a big effort off the bench last time. Still the move from Nw2 to Nw3 is a demanding one. Mixed feelings.

9

Ninth Race

Picks: 6-5-2-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	BEWARE OF DARKNESS	He has been decent lately. Still, this field is tougher than what he has been facing. Must step up his game.
2	BLUE CLAW	This looks like the kind of spot that he can make his presence felt. He is likely to take money in this spot. Win is possible.
3	STOPWATCH N	Got aggressive last week against a tougher field and he came up short. This should be more to his liking. Clear contender.
4	HURRIKANE ANTHONY	Steps up off a loss which is a tough angle to work with. Still, he is in better form than several of these. Maybe.
5	HIGH NOON	He was just even last time, but that field was a bit stronger than this. He could work out a nice trip from here. Worth using.
6	WINDFALL BLUE CHIP	He has been OK lately, although his last race was a bit disappointing. This field looks more manageable. I like him.
7	JIN DANDY	He has not been able to find the form he showed over the winter and he hasn’t given a reason to expect big improvement.
8	ATTACK MODES BILLY	His lack of early speed always makes him a tricky proposition, especially when he draws outside. Must stay close.
9	TAKESHIGEMICHI	He continues to lose ground in the stretch and doesn’t have the early speed to overcome the wide draw. Longshot.

10

Tenth Race

Picks: 7-2-5-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	CULLENS BLUE JEAN	He has been decent of late, but hasn’t shown the knockout punch required to breakthrough. He is close though.
2	DA VISION OF ART	Took all the money first time off the claim and showed up with a big effort. He should be a handful here once again.
3	EVENING JOB	I guess this is a slight drop in class, but not by much. His form has been rather dull of late. He’ll need to improve to contend.
4	REMISSIONOFSINS	He has been racing pretty well of late and now gets a bump up the class ladder. This field will be much tougher.
5	ART’S JIMMY RAY	Just could not get to ‘Vision last time. If he can work out a live cover trip, I can see him getting a bit closer. Possible.
6	JOLT	He has been facing better just about all season. But, his last effort isn’t very inspiring. He can wake up with the class drop. Maybe.
7	TOO MUCH PEPPER	He is very sharp and there is no reason to expect any regression here. Most likely candidate to upset the favorite.
8	VEAL MARSALA	He seems to have rounded back into form and he is interesting on the move into claimers. Not without a chance.

11

Eleventh Race

Picks: 10-2-1-5

H	Horse	Comment
1	CR FIXED ASSET	He raced better on the move back down to this level. Draws the same outside post and merits win consideration here.
2	BLADE RUNNER	Ran into a buzz-saw in Ideal Matters last time. That field wasn’t that strong otherwise, but he raced well. Contender.
3	AINTNOFOOLSGOLD	Has put forth a series of even tries lately at Philly. Gelding is now 0 for 14 on the year though. Minor award possible.
4	POKER CHAMP	Form has been rather dull of late and he hasn’t hinted at a turnaround yet. Retains longshot status for now.
5	PARTY FOR TWO	His last pair of efforts have been an improvement and he draws well here. Expect him to work out a live cover trip.
6	T M TOP GUN	Coming off a handful of dull tries and he doesn’t have much gate speed either. Have to watch for signs of improvement.
7	ONLY IN AMERICAN	His effort from 6/13 at Philly wasn’t bad, but his other efforts are sluggish. Now 0 for 9 this year. Needs a turnaround.
8	ALA CARTE BILL	His last pair of starts have been a bit better and while he is often at the mercy of pace and trip, he can hit the ticket.
9	JUMPIN JACK FLASH	Shows a pair of wins lately which catches the eye in this field. Still, one was an amateur race, the other a soft field.
10	JOE DE FINO	I am going to take a flyer on this guy. At time he has hinted at ability and he seems to have more upside than others in here.