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Handicapping

Week Of 8/5 - 8/11
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SA11

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, August 11, 2012

1

First Race

Picks: 7-9-4-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	THE EVICTOR	First of several on the class drop. He raced better in The Vincennes, but this spot came up pretty tough. Must improve.
2	PEMBROKE HEAT WAVE	Mare just could not get involved from post 7 at YR last time. Prior form was solid. One of many contenders.
3	ZOOMING	He was disappointing on Hambo Day, but like ‘Pembroke, he can turn it around. Pocono win was sharp. Can compete here.
4	BIG SKY HURRICANE	What has gotten into him? That last mile was simply sensational. A repeat of that effort makes him awfully tough.
5	SEA RAVEN	Win at Harrington was solid, but he was 5th at 54-1 against softer here on 7/13. Appears to be a pace factor in this spot.
6	UNEFOISDANSMAVIE	Mare has raced well in some spots this year. This field did come up particularly tough. Not sold in this spot.
7	AUTUMN ESCAPADE	That Invitational came up too tough, but her prior form was solid at this level. She should be a handful in here.
8	TAC’S DELIGHT	Not bad in his first two starts of the year at Tioga. Lightly raced for a 7 year old. Intriguing player in a wide open spot.
9	DON’T KNOW CHIP	Nothing wrong with either of his last two efforts against tougher. Slides down the ladder and could be the one to beat.

2

Second Race

Picks: 10-7-5-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	PALM BEACH BOY	Came back with an improved effort racing on Lasix for the 2nd time. Perhaps another move forward is coming. Maybe.
2	REAL ARTICULATE	Picked up a check last time at over 150-1. He was closer and faster in that spot. Maybe he can earn a small share.
3	MILES MULDOON	Showed speed in that QUA but did not finish the mile well. Just 1 for 65 lifetime makes him a tough play in here.
4	SHARKSTUNE	Gets post relief off that last start, but he didn’t fare very well from the 1 hole on 7/26. Hard to see him breaking through.
5	ALA CARTE BILL	He appears to be a player in here off his last effort. One of only 2 in here with a win this year. Win candidate in here.
6	HARRAH’S BEST	Hasn’t won for the last 2 years. Gets a nice driver change here, but that appears to be the only angle to key off of.
7	BARN ART	Only 7 starts the last 2 seasons. He does have speed and he took a bit of money last time. Interesting contender in here.
8	YOUTH UPRISING	Doesn’t have much early zip and doesn’t finish his miles with much of a burst. He appears up against it from here.
9	PARTY FOR TWO	Hasn’t won in his last 50 tries. But, I like the driver change back to Miller. I can see him earning a share in this spot.
10	GAMBLER’S TALE	Makes his 1st lifetime start as a 4YO off six qualifiers. Post 10 won’t help, but he picked a good spot for his debut.

3

Third Race

Picks: 2-1-8-4

H	Horse	Comment
1	RAM ROCKER	Adds Lasix for this event and has won at this level here before. Draws well in a contentious group. Should be a factor.
2	PEARL HANDLEPISTOL	She was in a tight finish last time, and although she missed a check, she was right there. Interesting at a price.
3	HOT BEACH GIRL	Coming off a major disappointment as an overwhelming favorite at The Ocean. Too many other options in here.
4	BABE PER VIEW	Continues to race well, but she has found this level just a little too much to win at. Still, she’s not missing by much.
5	ODDS ON JAN	Found the move from Nw2 to Nw3 a bit too difficult. She does have some speed. Perhaps she can improve. Demand value.
6	LADY’S ART	Has not been as effective on the east coast, but is racing well. This field is tougher than last, though. Not sold on her chances.
7	NOTREADYTOBENICE	She has faced some very difficult company in the recent past. Like that she won when getting away from stakes.
8	MIKELEH	She did not look good in The Miss NJ Prep, but bounced back big time in the Final. Won at this level on 7/20. Likely favorite.
9	CLEAR VIEW HANOVER	Was not much of a factor in the Miss NJ. Draws outside and needs a bounce back mile. Tough task from here.

4

Fourth Race

Picks: 8-10-5-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	DOCDOR LAUGHING	Pulled the upset on 7/12, but was ineffective last time. Price will be there for those expecting a bounce back mile.
2	COOPERSTOWN KID	Has been facing better of late, and he was 3rd last time against similar. Is he ready for a return to that form?
3	IN KENNY’S HONOR	Always seems to pick up a check at this level, but he just doesn’t win that often. Continue to use him underneath.
4	JOE DE FINO	He beat a rather soft group on 7/21 and based on that effort he may be over bet. He can win this, not sure the value is there.
5	HE’S A BEACHBOY	Certainly seemed to appreciate the post relief last time and he may be on the improve. Good draw here. Contender.
6	ALBERT STREET A	Has not been very effective in his last three starts. When last seen here, he finished 8th against similar. Not buying.
7	CORKY BARAN	Been beaten twice by the same foe. He just hasn’t been as good as he should be since the class drop. Winless this year.
8	MAIN A DIEU TOO	New connections have this gelding headed in the right direction. 1:54.4 is a sharp mile at The Ocean. Interesting here.
9	TAXED	I tried him again last time and he just couldn’t kick home. He has been disappointing. Tetrick has gone elsewhere and so will I.
10	FAT MANS ALLEY	Silva puts up Sears and that is going to attract plenty of attention at the windows. He’s been OK too. Will be tough.

5

Fifth Race

Picks: 1-7-8-10

H	Horse	Comment
1	AVENUE HANOVER	Same angle as Silva trainee in Race 4. Puts Sears up. This horse is receiving a monster class drop. The one to beat.
2	CR FIXED ASSET	Still winless this season following a 1 for 33 campaign a year ago. His best can land him a minor award in this spot.
3	BEWARE OF DARKENSS	Had no chance from post 8 at Yonkers. Showed decent speed in Philly. He has won here. Marginal player now.
4	LIBERTY CALL	Seemed to appreciate the class drop and move to The Big M. 39 underneath finishes against just 8 wins. Use that way.
5	STOPWATCH N	His win came against a much softer group. I expect this race to go around 1:52 or less. Don’t think he is fast enough.
6	SOCIAL NETWORK	Claim just hasn’t worked out. He has been sluggish off the gate, left with too much to do. Using strictly underneath.
7	RELENTLESS DREAMER	Added Lasix and raced well. He seems to have turned the corner in his last two starts. Clearly worth using.
8	VOICE OF TRUTH	Won at Tioga quite handily, but he was supposed to. Lasix has moved him forward. Looks like a player in here.
9	FINANCE THE MASTER	Loses Sears and is coming off a dull effort. This field is just as strong as the last he faced. Likely overmatched.
10	PEMBROKE NICK	He is the wild card in here. Those races at Yonkers are tough. Draws the widest post, but I wouldn’t sell too short.

6

Sixth Race

Picks: 8-3-9-6

H	Horse	Comment
1	LIGHTNING TREASURE	Made a break in the Lady Liberty, but was not likely to be a factor there. This field is tough. Looks like a longshot.
2	KRISPY APPLE	She has struggled against the very best of the division. Avoids the big 3 here, but it’s still a very deep field. Mixed feelings.
3	ROCKLAMATION	I liked her in The Lady Liberty and she raced well. She is very sharp lately and on paper seems like the one to beat.
4	FEELING YOU	Her form has gone the wrong way. What happened to her speed too? She left from post 8 at YR before. Wild card in here.
5	DAWN’S LEGACY	She typically jumps up with her best at a level or two below this. Catches a tough field and appears up against it.
6	ROYAL CEE CEE N	I still believe this mare does her best work on the smaller tracks. That being said, she is solid and can win this race.
7	CHANCEY LADY	Now 7 and she has never gotten back to the form of a couple of years ago. Towed along on Hambo Day. Not sold yet.
8	REBEKA BAYAMA	Almost pulled a shocker in the Lady Liberty. Missed a world record by ½ length. Can she repeat that? Price is gone.
9	ROCK N SOUL	Put together a couple of nice races at Yonkers. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Yannick blast from here. Not without a chance.

7

Seventh Race

Picks: 9-7-5-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	WOODSTOCK HANOVER	He was favored at this level on 6/9, but was disappointing. With a trip, he can get involved here. Worth including.
2	GAELIC THUNDER	He was far from terrible in his two starts in this class. If Sears can work out a nice trip, I can see him on the ticket.
3	BRANDON’S COLT	Yes, he is coming off a win in 1:51.2. But that field was far weaker than this. I would be surprised if he won again.
4	MC RUSTY	He has raced well in a couple of spots this year, and that last field he faced was solid. He can be involved here at a nice price.
5	MR COOLIE	Hard to deny the class drop here and he has already won here this year in a very sharp time. He’ll be a handful in this spot.
6	PRINCE SHARKA	Not a bad try last time when going first over. He was a solid 3rd at this level on 7/14. Not on top, but using underneath.
7	TRANSCENDING	He is on an even bigger drop than ‘Coolie, and owns a 1:48.2 win this year. No value, but he looks like the one to beat.
8	ALBERT CHIEF A	Now 11, but this gelding seems to have gotten back in the groove lately. Can he handle this slight move up? Tricky call.
9	HIGH NOON	Added Lasix and responded. Now, he has to handle the hike up in class facing some big dropdowns. Worth a look at a price.

8

Eigth Race

Picks: 7-9-1-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	OSCAR OSCAR	He is not as sharp as he was earlier in the meet. But this field is not as strong as the last. He can bounce back here.
2	BRAVE ALEX SEMALU	Coming off a good looking win, but this field is going to be tougher. Will have to go sub 1:50 to win this event.
3	IDEAL MATTERS	He is starting to come back around. This is a massive test, but he couldn’t be much sharper. Is he ready for this? Maybe.
4	SONIC DANCER	Has been facing some solid fields in Philly, but has just 1 recent win to show for it. Will need a lifetime mark to win this.
5	GRAMS LEGACY	Solid at the July Mixed Sale here and he disappointed in his first try for new connections. Hard to love in this spot.
6	GIDDY UP DELIGHT	Finished 2nd in that QUA behind a very nice 3YO filly. He was well-beaten against lesser earlier in the meet.
7	MICKEY HANOVER	Caught a fast mile last time. Now is 2nd time on Lasix and he has raced well here at times. Like him in this spot.
8	RISK MANAGEMENT	Making his 3rd start back off the layoff but I am just not sold he is up to this level of competition. Not sold on chances.
9	ALLTHATGLTRSISGOLD	This is a major class drop and this guy has a nice motor. He should take play in here. Cannot be dismissed.

9

Ninth Race

Picks: 1-5-4-9

H	Horse	Comment
1	CHARLIE LERU	I like him in this spot. Catches a field with no standout. Looked OK in that QUA and his efforts in Canada were solid.
2	CC RACY	Sears was listed but opted off. He has done enough in a couple of spots to hit the ticket. Not sold on a breakthrough here though.
3	MEGA LIGHTNING	Four straight races dropping in class, with four different drivers. Still, hasn’t done enough to merit my consideration.
4	ART’S JIMMY RAY	Just missed last time and note that he won back to back races at this level earlier. He’ll be a handful in this spot.
5	RILEYS LUCK	Made a bold move last time before flattening out. Draws much better and drops in class. He is worth a look from this draw.
6	SOUTHERN SPORT	He began his season razor sharp, but he just has not been the same since. Not a strong QUA, either. Tough to like.
7	LETTHEROCKBEGIN	Showed a little more late interest last time, but it wasn’t enough for me to consider in this spot. Playing against.
8	THEETOWNLITTLEGUY	Continues to move down the class ladder, but he has not had much success. Need to see some improvement.
9	TROUBLE HANOVER	Won against a similar bunch on 7/26. He has been pretty effective when placed properly. Right spot once again.
10	MYRA’S HIHO	He has been in a couple of spots where he should have won, but didn’t. I can see using him, but not necessarily on top.

10

Tenth Race

Picks: 4-3-5-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	RUB THING	She was left with too much to do last time, but was finishing well. Like the post improvement. Can see her earning a share.
2	NEVERMIND FRANCO N	Has been facing similar company recently, and has done good work at times. Adds value to the exotics.
3	SARANDON BLUE CHIP	Is it safe to say she is back on top of her game? Look awfully good on Hambo Day. An obvious contender.
4	MAJOR LOOK	One of the sharpest horses in training. Yes, she is just a 3YO, but she is the fastest of this group. Should handle these.
5	FOUR STARZ ROE	Connections have her pretty sharp. She should continue to get better, but she needs a monster mile to beat ‘Look.
6	SHAYNA BABY	I mentioned last week that she has been better than you think and she almost won. This field is much tougher. A share.
7	DRAGON PRINCESS	When she catches the right field, she can jump up and win. Still, have to believe this is just too much for her.
8	PATSYS LUCK	Shows a couple of decent efforts, but against far less than what she is facing here. Needs a career best effort in this spot.
9	BILLIE BLUECHIP	Last field was too tough, but she raced well against this level in 2 starts prior. Again, Major Look makes this so tough.

11

Eleventh Race

Picks: 2-8-1-7

H	Horse	Comment
1	LEMON DROP HALL	Nothing wrong with his last try at this level. Like the improvement he showed for the new barn. Expect a solid effort.
2	STORMIN RUSTLER	Really has been handed some tough trips recently. If Gingras can work out a trip here, he could spring the surprise.
3	CULLENS BLUE JEAN	Just hasn’t been that sharp at this level and I would need to see some improvement to consider playing him.
4	CANE RIDGE	Well-beaten last time as his form has gone completely in the wrong direction. Seems tough to recommend at this time.
5	EVENING JOB	Last two efforts at this level have been solid. Now enters this off the claim and certainly needs to be left on all tickets.
6	MOST HAPPY KEENE	Where did that effort come from? At 43-1 he shocked us. Now steps up to the level he was beaten 13 at. Not sold.
7	SNIPER SEELSTER	Won at this level last week when favored on the class drop. Clearly a contender again, but has a fresh threat this time.
8	INTHEBLINKOFANEYE	The threat to a ‘Sniper repeat. Drops down to the level of his last win. Was right there against better. Tough foe.

12

Twelfth Race

Picks: 5-1-8-10

H	Horse	Comment
1	AINTNOFOOLSGOLD	He continues to pick up checks and almost broke through with a win last time. Hard to dismiss in this spot.
2	DRAGON KING	Making his 3rd start back off the freshening, but has just 1 win the last 2 years. Tough to endorse as the top selection.
3	B MY HERO	Beaten a combined 53+ lengths in his last couple of starts. That makes him a very tough play for me. Longshot.
4	T M TOP GUN	Raced better when facing a weaker group at this same level. His last effort concerns me. Not expecting a peak try here.
5	EIGHT TEN EOM	Owns a win here this year which gives him an edge over many of these. Appears fast enough as well. Toss the last.
6	HIT AWAY	Faced some good ones in those qualifiers, but he hasn’t been seen for 6 months. I need to see a race before considering.
7	BEST LIFE	Gelding has a couple of good starts surrounded by some dull ones. Hard to predict when the turnaround is coming.
8	MISTER BARNETT N	Took play but disappointed last time. That being said, his best is good enough to win this. Tote board gives clues.
9	ROCK N ROLL LEGEND	Added Lasix, but it hasn’t helped much. Recent form is rather dull. I need to see improvement. Longshot.
10	BLADE RUNNER	He was OK last time and raced well 2 starts back. He should take play off the driver change from the last 2 starts.