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Handicapping

Week Of 2/10 - 2/16
SU10
MO11
TU12
WE13
TH14
FR15
SA16

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 Thursday, February 14, 2013

1

First Race

Picks: 7-1-3-4

H	Horse	Comment
1	TOUCH OF CHARM	Qualified on that windy morning. Made a nice middle move there. Winner of that heat was 2nd at YR in NW6000.
2	CLASSIFIED ACTION	Was handled carefully and kept off the gate last out. Did his best trotting in the last 50 yards. Slightly improved.
3	HLDONTGHTTOYURDRMS	Tepid call as the favorite on the move down in class. Squandered a pocket trip at Yonkers. Contender.
4	MYSTICAL SHYANN	Handled very carefully off the gate last time. 3YO filly faces older. Also did her best trotting near the wire in Qua.
5	MARION MANHATTAN	He was rough gaited at times in that last mile. Winner of last was a non-factor in round 1 of The Singer. Tricky.
6	LA HOLLYWOOD	Clearly he has been facing better and if he trots in 1:56, he is a strong win candidate. Just 1 for 21 lifetime though.
7	MONSTER LUKE	Despite finishing 2nd, he was never really asked in that qualifier. Winner of that heat is a NYSS winner of over $200k.
8	LINDY’S FAST TRACK	Makes a move out of the Surick barn, which has done very well this year. Runner-up from last won next 2 out.
9	MISS CONNOR	Really seemed to struggle in that qualifier, in the cover flow third over but couldn’t keep up with the cover. Longshot.
10	BRISSOT	Despite finishing 2nd, I thought he was a bit tough gaited in the stretch. Added hobbles for that, they stay on here. Tricky.

2

Second Race

Picks: 7-5-11-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	WINDSUN GALLIANO	Did not appear comfortable at any point in round one. Was parked the mile into a fast pace. Clearly can improve.
2	CAMP SPEEDY	Has regressed since his first start of the year and was 115-1 last week. Retains longshot status in this series.
3	SOUTH JERSEY BUGSY	Abbatiello has changed tactics in his last two starts and it has not worked out. Expect more speed this time.
4	HOT CHA CHA	Even try in round 1, sitting along the pylons. Clearly will need to take a step forward to contend in this spot.
5	WHERE TO HANOVER	Took round 1 off following a disappointing Super Bowl Final. He needs a big effort here. Should be dangerous.
6	NO LESS THAN MAGIC	I am off this bandwagon. Followed Helios last week, but could not keep up. Now loses Tetrick too. Not for me.
7	OUR MOJO	He was rough on the turns last week which cost him some ground. Finished very well. Expect some equipment changes here.
8	SWEET BEN	Parked out for the opening 3/8th’s of a miles last week. Tired after that. He is a candidate to improve. Use him on your tickets.
9	LADY AT BAT	Led early in that mile, then got shuffled a bit, but when guided out this mare did not show any pop. Remains a longshot.
10	PRECIOUS METAL	Just an even try in round one and now catches post 10 without much early speed. Another longshot in here.
11	SEQUIN HANOVER	That last mile speaks for itself. Yannick has a tough choice in who to follow as ‘Galliano is slow off the gate. Hmm…

3

Third Race

Picks: 2-7-9-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	R MARIE HANOVER	Showed speed in that qualifier before tiring in the stretch. Winner of that heat is a veteran with 21 wins. Watch one.
2	CRAZY EIGHTS	Tracked cover and made the lead before being chased down by ‘Liz. This filly is the logical alternative to the 2 favorites.
3	MS CAILA J FRA	She had qualified really well, so I am wondering how good Real Comfort might be! This filly has some ability as well.
4	DREAMING ALINA	Tetrick opted here over Mcarma, so obviously there is something he liked. Still think it is best to watch this first start.
5	MCARMA	That was a very pedestrian-like qualifier that she won. She has speed and is a winner, but this is a tough group. Tough call.
6	HERE AGAIN	Has been off for some time since that last qualifier. Adds Lasix now, but Miller opted off. Mare gives me mixed signals.
7	IDEAL GINNY	Went right to the lead, got jammed behind a 70-1 shot. Caught in a blind switch. By then, Liz got the jump. Tough right back.
8	CHEYENNE MIRIAM	She was chased along a bit in that qualifier and was never close to the winner. I need to see more out of her.
9	LIZ’S LIL K K	Parlayed a perfect trip into a win, but have to wonder if that same scenario will play out again. She can win, but not a cinch.
10	REAL COMFORT	Chiodo put a race mile into this three year old filly last time. That will do her good. Post 10 will not. Still like what I see.

4

Fourth Race

Picks: 11-9-7-6

H	Horse	Comment
1	PITTSTOP RUTHIE	Mare moved out at the ¾ pole last week, but just did not have any pop. Hard to endorse off that mile. Longshot.
2	MCATTEE	Showed good speed before yielding. Ran up on the horse in from of him, eventually making a break. Using underneath.
3	GOOD SOUND ADVICE	Parlayed a perfect trip into a round 1 win, but this gelding is still not the smoothest of trotters. Not sold on repeat.
4	CHOCOHOLIC	Mare flashed decent trot at the end of that mile, but she still needs to step up in order to contend with Real Babe.
5	WISNEHEIMER	Showed speed and ended up in a pocket trip. Only showed even trot behind ‘Babe and Helios. Fringe player at this point.
6	DECK THE HALLS	Flashed speed, sat the pocket, ended up in a lot of traffic. Still, I don’t think he had much trot when free. Overbet?
7	HELIOS	Made a big move first over past the half mile pole and trotted home well to be 2nd. Needs a different trip to beat the favorite.
8	ON THE PODIUM	Followed ‘Advice three wide past ¾, hit his best stride just a touch too late. Seemed to race much better with Lasix.
9	REAL BABE	Hard to be much sharper than this mare is. It seems that hobbles have made all the difference here. The one to beat.
10	VOLARE DE VIE	This gelding never gets bet and seems to always race well. Left fast last week and finished well. Using on my tickets.
11	JAILHOUSE JUICE	Came from far back and was finishing very nicely up the pylons when finally getting room. Interesting price play here.

5

Fifth Race

Picks: 5-9-1-4

H	Horse	Comment
1	ART FOR LIVING	Was third over last time and stacked up in a dead outer flow. Finally gets some post relief. Tows along for a share.
2	MEDOLAND BIG CAM	Saved ground in that last mile but never made any impact. Need to see more from him in this mile.
3	PRESTISSIMO	He sat 2nd over last week, but I thought he should have been better given the trip he had. Minor award appears his ceiling.
4	MILLIONDOLLARTOUCH	Shot the gap past the half mile pole and was finishing well, although no match for the winner. Using underneath.
5	VEAL MARSALA	Best bet of the night here. Parked to the ¼ last week, shuffled back, was loaded with pace and never clear. On top!
6	WESTERN LEGEND	Just did not offer any pace in that last mile and I need to see improvement before I can consider in this series.
7	DIANE’S SHARK	Parked out to the ¼ before finding cover that he would eventually hap. Not the kind of effort I was looking for.
8	REMISSIONOFSINS	Was locked in toward the rear of the field and never really got into the race. A candidate to improve with a better trip.
9	KILLER QUAKES	Probably will be bet like an international good thing here the way Burke and Gingras have been going. Logical player.

6

Sixth Race

Picks: 2-6-4-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	LAGUNA BEACH	Showed speed last time, but eventually sat a loose pocket before gapping badly. He’ll need to improve off that last mile.
2	WILLIE BOOTS	Stacked up with dull cover and flashed good late pace. Driver change to Miller here. I think he’s sitting on a big effort.
3	TIME STOOD STILL	Shot the gap up the pylons last week before flattening out in the stretch. Tetrick chooses off as well. Longshot.
4	SKY TANTRUM	First over against a well meant winner last time. Clearly was 2nd best there. Doesn’t win often enough lately for my liking.
5	DREAMZZZZ R FOR U	Was buried along the pylons before being angled out inside the last 1/8th. Gingras chose off, but I can see using.
6	VILLAGE BLAST	Went first over against the chalk, actually wearing that foe down before Get It Now found a seam. That was a big mile.
7	DIGGERS REST N	Was stacked up behind dull cover and was finishing up with some pace. Makes his third start off the layoff now.
8	BOILER BOB THE QB	Went a very big first over trip, but I think that field was a softer division. I’ll take a shot against him at a short price.
9	DAVE PANLONE	Showed speed, yielded to the pocket before slowing dramatically in the stretch. That’s not going to entice me here.

7

Seventh Race

Picks: 9-10-6-7

H	Horse	Comment
1	PRO MATTIC	Simply did not factor at all last week and has not won in the past two years. Remains a longshot in this class.
2	TAYLORLANE CRUISER	Sat in and ended up locked in. He showed mild pace in the stretch. This field is suspect so I will include him.
3	GET DOWN TONIGHT	Coming off a sick scratch and an extended layoff. Prior form was not very sharp. Looks like the longshot here.
4	DRAGON KING	Was locked in along the pylons last time before finding space between horses. Just 1 for 31 last year. Using underneath.
5	NATIVE SPEED	Showed speed in that last mile and now adds Lasix as well. Still want to see a start on the medication, before I dive in.
6	YANKEE DEVIL	Another adding Lasix for the first time, which is rare for an 8 year old. Perfect trip, bobbled at the top of the lane. Player.
7	ITS OUTTA HERE	Left for position and took a hole. He appeared locked in and was free to late. Winner was 2nd in a Survivor leg. Maybe.
8	GALLANT MAJOR	He finished up well last time from a tough spot at Yonkers. However, I am not sold off that loss against nw300ps.
9	ZEN MAJOR	He was out the entire mile last time and never really threw in the towel. I respect that effort and will take a flyer on him here.
10	STONEBRIDGE ROCKET	This gelding appears to be the wild card. Gets some class relief, but catches post 10. My guess is he blasts!

8

Eigth Race

Picks: 8-7-5-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	IMAGE OF DAWN	He was just too far back early, dove to the pylons in the stretch and was finishing up nicely. Using at a price off that mile.
2	GO GO RAIDER	Tried to gut it first over and didn’t race all that badly, considering. Andy chooses off though. I might toss him in the 4-spot.
3	FOUR STARZ Q	He has great early speed, but he just doesn’t pass horses in the stretch. Was he locked in? Yes. Still should have won.
4	WINBAK JAKE	Showed speed when being bet off the board last week and completely stopped. Has not been the same since barn change.
5	GET IT NOW	Burst through when the seam opened up last week. Has another ideal draw. Clearly going to be a handful in this spot.
6	CAMBASSADOR	He was locked in last week, but when clear I though he only offered even pace. Tetrick opting elsewhere also. Tricky.
7	DA VISION OF ART	He was stacked up with dull cover and offered a belated rally. He is very dangerous on the improve. Things to like.
8	CASINO KING	That was a very game effort off the 5 week layoff. He should only be better in this spot. Should prove very tough here.
9	WHITE RULER	He followed cover and made a belated move nearing the wire. Will likely be coming from last here. Too much to do.

9

Ninth Race

Picks: 7-5-10-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	DE VINS GIRL	This mare was last early in that mile and forced wide going to the half. Offered even pace in the lane. Class relief here.
2	JOYFUL YEARS	Three wide briefly and followed the outer flow before coming up flat in the stretch. She needs to be better in this spot.
3	ELODIE	Another that was in a good outer flow but came up flat. She is getting some class relief though. Can improve in this spot.
4	MATT’S SMOKIN LIL	Was just not a factor in that last mile and I need to see some improvement despite the drop in class.
5	CAROLSTERN	I guess she is the one to beat, but she is so slow off the gate. She was very wide on the turn last week too. A threat again.
6	OBSESSIVE ARTIST	Her last mile has me scratching my head a bit. Now gets some class relief, so I suppose she can improve here.
7	SWEET TIME	Was 2nd over and made the lead briefly, before tiring. This field is not as strong with this class drop. Tetrick attracts play.
8	ARIANE HANOVER	Made a move to the lead and even parked out another mare. Eventually, she got a bit tired. Off for 5 weeks though.
9	FRISKIE BEAUTY	She was fourth over and did not offer any pace in the stretch. Gingras opted off as she looks like a longshot.
10	MY SPRING FLING	Was caught three wide on the first turn for a bit, then four wide on the far turn. Likely coming from last. Still using.

10

Tenth Race

Picks: 1-2-6-4

H	Horse	Comment
1	DIPIETRANTONIO	Shuffled back in that qualifier, clear in the final 1/8th. Good trot along the pylons. Winner came right back to win next out.
2	TOTALLY ADDICTIVE	Sat inside and saved ground until the stretch, angled and showed sharp acceleration when clear. Expecting more!
3	EMILY DO	Tough trip last week getting parked to the quarter before things went wrong. Somewhat skeptical at this point. Tricky call.
4	TAKE IT TO NINE	Winner of that last mile won a leg of the Charles Singer, so move him up off that. Decent effort last time. Takes play.
5	DUSENBERG	Did not factor in that last qualifier and despite winning 50% of his lifetime starts, he looks like a longshot here.
6	BAILEYS PHOTO	Pulled first over at 27-1 and raced huge going a long uncovered grind. Loses Campbell, but gets Miller. Lots to like here.
7	AX MAN	Just cannot seem to stay trotting at night. Marohn will be very careful with him behind the gate. Need to see him stay flat.
8	TIA MARIA KOSMOS	A couple of sick scratches surrounding dull form makes her a very tough play in this group. Watching for now.
9	TUSCAN LINDY	Has not factored in either start this year and he has no gate speed at all. Just will be too far back without enough punch.
10	CAMPOTOSTO	Sat the pocket in that qualifier before tiring. Don’t be too third, the winner of that mile won The Vincennes Trot last year!
11	COUNT SPEED	Followed cover from a tough post last week but flattened out in the stretch. Similar spot here. Will need more to contend.
12	STRIKING FOREVER	Has a tendency to make breaks and catches a tough post. Handled carefully, but will be left with too much to do.

11

Eleventh Race

Picks: 2-9-3-7

H	Horse	Comment
1	STORMIN RUSTLER	Sat 3rd along the pylons last week and finished with even pace behind ‘Drive. Will need more to catch the chalk.
2	DRIVE ALL NIGHT	Could not have been any more dominant in Leg 1. This is the toughest division by far and he is the one to beat.
3	ROCKNROLL JEWEL	Raced well last week coming off cover and finishing up well. Can he turn the tables on Oil Magnet? Price player.
4	DOIN TIME TOGETHER	Sat a loose 2nd over trip last week but came up flat in the stretch. I need to see more off that effort before I play.
5	BIG TEN CHAMP	Was 3rd over last week, loomed up three-wide, but just couldn’t kick home in the stretch. Rate him a longshot off that.
6	BELL’S PANACEA	Went a tough first over mile before tiring. He can certainly improve off that mile and the price will be right to include.
7	STAGECOACH HOLDUP	He too, was very solid last week. Not exiting the fastest of miles, but he is very sharp as well. Contender.
8	WIT AND WISDOM	He was in the outer flow last week but finished up with just even pace. Loses Campbell now and he must be better.
9	OIL MAGNET	He has been on some kind of tear and now he catches a very tough field. Expect the same speed, same big effort.
10	CARMENS BEST	Followed the favorite up toward the lead, but ended up uncovered and offered even pace in the stretch. Needs more.