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Handicapping

Week Of 2/17 - 2/23
SU17
MO18
TU19
WE20
TH21
FR22
SA23

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 Friday, February 22, 2013

1

First Race

Picks: 7-3-6-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	SCORPION MOON	Did not make any impact last time and move down a half step to this handicap. Still, 8 of these are classified as B1.
2	OVER AND OUT	Offered a bit of trot at the end of that mile, but it wasn’t overwhelming. Miller opted off. More questions than answers.
3	TSMLIL ORPHAN ANDY	This gelding did have noticeable late trot in his last mile. Draws well and looks like a prime contender for the win.
4	BRUCE THE BRAVE	Got the trip over the track last time. But I am not certain I saw enough in that start. Likely watching one more.
5	IN NOMINE PATRI	He has been off three weeks and is coming off a sick scratch. He can show speed in this spot. Might find a pocket trip.
6	ZUEREST	His speed looks extremely dangerous in this field. I am always a bit skeptical that he will wire the field when he is a short price.
7	FREE ROLLIN	His recent form at Yonkers has been solid and trotters shipping in from Yonkers have fared well here. Take a long look.
8	GAELIC AND GARLIC	Clearly had to need that last start and he is a logical candidate to improve this time around. Using at a price.
9	WESTSIDE LINDY	I tend to like to include this gelding in gimmicks, but usually leave out of the top spot. Last race was an example why.
10	KING’S CAVALIER	I don’t see this spot working out for him. As shown from his last start, he just doesn’t pack the gate speed from here.

2

Second Race

Picks: 7-1-3-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	TERROR HIGH	Another good effort last week, showing good speed on both ends of the mile. Expect Miller to be aggressive from here.
2	BEACHFRONT	While he closed on the winner a touch last week, he was never a real threat to that foe. I call him a fringe player in here.
3	WILCOX	Not his best effort losing to his stable mate in round 1. He faces a pair of talented horses here in ‘Terror and ‘Axiom. Short price.
4	CYCLONE	I would have preferred he had a start prior to the series. He can build off that last effort, but feel he is still a cut below the best.
5	GOINTHRUTHEMOTIONS	Was not a factor in round 1 and it appears that he is the longshot of this group as well. Not sold.
6	DHARMA INITIATIVE	His form has not developed since his first start of the year. Yet to show a race that can beat this group.
7	AXIOM HANOVER	Lambert is on record saying this horse his better than his stablemate, A Bettor World. He can put it all together tonight.
8	ROCK ICON	Just an even try last time and now he loses Gingras. Has the widest post as well. Feel he is up against it at this point.

3

Third Race

Picks: 5-2-1-6

H	Horse	Comment
1	JUST LIKE LLOYD	Kicks off a very tough field. Gets some class relief and has raced well at times. This is a spot he might wakeup in.
2	I’M FABULOUS	I think this mare had some trot in the stretch last week. There is a chance she might be overlooked in this field. Using.
3	DASH FOR THE CASH	Gelding is very sharp, but this race came up very tough. He was dismissed at 13-1 last week too. Tough call now.
4	THE TRIPLE LINDY	Went a tough trip last week. My concern is, a similar trip worked out well the week prior. This might be too tough.
5	DW’S NY YANK	A sharp horse from a barn that is on fire right now will merit plenty of consideration. Appears as the one to deny here.
6	ELLEN’S ISLE	She raced better than I thought last time. I just always have a tough time trusting her. Still, if she trots, she’s a contender.
7	HARBOR POINT	This gelding has been a disappointment. He has been more hype than anything else at this point. Need to see more.
8	MAGGLIO	Almost pulled a shocking upset last week. I still think he is going to offer a price so if you like him, don’t be afraid to bet.
9	LUCKY ROLL	Gets some class relief, but he has not been the same since his win 6 weeks ago. This barn has really cooled off as well.

4

Fourth Race

Picks: 8-4-2-7

H	Horse	Comment
1	STIRLING BRIGADE	Just has not been a factor at this level, and was no match for others in round 1. Appears to be a longshot.
2	A BETTOR WORLD	He was toying with his opposition last week. He will need more to when met by ‘Resistance. This will be tougher.
3	FIFTYSHADESDARKER	He could match up against the favorite last time and although he earned a check, he needs more to win this.
4	HUMILITY	That was a very impressive performance in his first start off the long layoff, defeating stable mate Wilcox. He’ll be very tough.
5	SKY IS THE LIMIT	Showed speed early in the mile last week but just could not maintain that throughout the race. Needs more from here.
6	BEAMMEUPSCOTTIE	His first two starts of the year just don’t stack up against the best of this race. He looks like a longshot.
7	CHESAPEAKE BAY	He continues to race well, but still he needs to show more in order to win this. Best used underneath in gimmicks.
8	RESISTANCE FUTILE	Could not have been any more impressive and he might be the one to beat in the final. A deserving favorite.

5

Fifth Race

Picks: 4-3-9-5

H	Horse	Comment
1	UPFRONTSTRIKESGOLD	Not a bad mile at all considering he was 94-1 in that spot. Loses Miller, gets Tetrick. Won’t be 94-1 here.
2	HOBOKEN SONNY	Making his second start back off the sick scratch. This field is completely wide open and it’s tough to land here.
3	FOUNTAINBLEAU VOLO	Tough trip first over from post 10, so I will forgive that effort. I think Miller is going to be aggressive in this spot.
4	CAMERON CHIP	She is very interesting here. At the end of that race, she flashed that patented late kick that had been missing. Using her.
5	MOHEGAN HANOVER	He has been racing well lately. Still looking for him to breakthrough with a winning performance. Worth including.
6	GREY ICE	That win feels like a long time ago. I am a bit concerned that this B-2 level is a bit too tough for him right now. Wait for softer.
7	BLOOMFIELDCANTIFLY	Got a start under her belt and figures to continue to improve. This field came up very tough however.
8	SOAPY SAP	I am still waiting for this mare to turn things around. Continues to take play each week, but this time around, I am skeptical.
9	DOUBLE UP HANOVER	When he trots, he is very good. This field is much tougher than the last, but he has the ability to handle the move.
10	ZUMBA MOUSE	The post is an issue for her as she doesn’t have any gate speed. Still, she can compete at this level. Mixed feelings.

6

Sixth Race

Picks: 7-8-4-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	PRICEVALLEYREVITUP	He draws the pole in a very difficult field. Likely to tow along early on in the mile and hope to earn a share.
2	SPICE IT UP LINDY	Continues to be dismissed at the windows and continues to outrace his odds. This race will be tough, but he is sharp.
3	BASTILLE	Another upset winner from last week. Again, this field will be more difficult, but it is hard to dismiss a horse coming off a win.
4	ARUBA VACATION	This horse is extremely sharp right now and Paquet is one of the top drivers from Tioga. An interesting prospect.
5	DON’T KNOW CHIP	Did not pack the same punch last week as he did the week prior. Goes back to Tetrick tonight. Tricky call in here.
6	ICE MACHINE	Made another break last time, so this is becoming a concern. I do caution, he can jump up with a big effort at any time.
7	QUICK DEAL	He was monstrous last time. While this race has more depth to it, he is a big part of that depth. Looks awfully tough in here.
8	OPENING NIGHT	His qualifier was very good and I really like what I saw from him at the end of the year in 2012. Poised for a nice 2013.

7

Seventh Race

Picks: 9-6-1-5

H	Horse	Comment
1	NUTMEGS YANKEE	Raced well behind a sharp wire to wire winner last time. Expect Gingras to be aggressive from here. Contender.
2	CUZ SHE CAN	Mare has gone some big miles in the past. Her qualifier was OK and Tetrick stuck here over three others. Mixed feelings.
3	RUNAWAY TRAY	Her form had gone in the wrong direction and now she is coming off a 6 week layoff and a sick scratch. Longshot.
4	ASSET MANAGEMENT	She had been racing well, but I am not sure what happened last time. Becomes a tricky call in this spot.
5	HOSTESS LISA	She simply did not handle the B-1 level very well. Her form at this level was much better. Barn has been cold. Tricky call.
6	MISS SAND CREEK	Was parked out to the opening ¼ last week and appeared to take its toll. She can improve, but loses Tetrick.
7	CARAMEL CHINNO	Was scratched from post 8 and now moves back to M1 off that scratch. Prior form was good. Still watching this time.
8	ONE NIGHT	She figured to improve on the move down in class but did not. That is a concern. I need to see an improved effort from her.
9	DREAM’S BAR	You could see that win coming as she had been getting better and better. She likely is coming from last. Carlson chose off.

8

Eigth Race

Picks: 7-6-9-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	MONSIGNOR FLAN	He had that “sneaky late trot” last week. This race is completely wide open and I would be hesitant to dismiss him.
2	PHOTO KING	He has been hit or miss lately depending on the caliber of the field. This field is evenly matched. Might be a longshot.
3	FEEL THE PRESSURE	Endured a tough trip on the move up in class last time. He will not be 9/5 in here. Bounce back candidate.
4	MUGSHOT JESS	Loses Campbell in this spot and the way he has been driving, that is big. Still remains pretty sharp. Tricky call here.
5	THE CHANCELLOR	Just kept grinding away when finding a field he could beat last time. I think he will need more in this spot. Possible.
6	VAPORSTAR	He came with one of his best efforts last time and now gets the move up in class. Repeat of that effort puts him in the mix.
7	IL MAGO	Continues to race very well, but Miller did not opt here, which is interesting. Adds value to a race that is totally wide open.
8	EQUITY	Showed good speed again last week and he is going out for a barn that is red hot. Figures to be prominent from start to finish.
9	WALDORF HALL	Still not sure why he didn’t fire his best shot two starts back. He raced much better again last time. Another contender.
10	SAND WYNDHAM	He has been racing against some very good fields but still his recent form is suspect when compared to the rest.

9

Ninth Race

Picks: 4-5-2-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	JK FINE ART	This is likely the first step on the road to a very nice season for this mare. I’m not sure she is going to be ready just yet.
2	RAMONA DISOMMA	She is showing slow and steady progress and could be sitting on her biggest effort yet. Likely to take play here.
3	HULA’S Z TAM	Campbell gets his shot with this mare that packs plenty of back class. She is exiting a very fast qualifier as well.
4	SWEET HEDGE	That was a compelling effort last time and now she gets the move up the ladder. Must be left under consideration.
5	AUTUMN MAGIC	Minus that one blip on the radar where she endured a tough trip two starts back, she has been sharp. Contender.
6	GORDYYY’S PET	Off her last effort, she has to be considered the longshot of this group. But that was a tough trip too. Bongiorno opts off.
7	DON’T BLAME HER	This is a real classy mare and she got her trip around the track. I can see her racing much better in this spot.
8	UNRED HANOVER	She had to need that first start back. She draws outside again and I expect her to continue to get better as well.

10

Tenth Race

Picks: 3-4-9-11

H	Horse	Comment
1	CURRENT CRISIS	Enters this off a series of qualifiers. Krivelin turns the lines over to Miller, but I want to see a start or two first.
2	MARION MONACO	Moves to a softer spot, but loses Andy. Has speed and figures to be prominent as a pace factor at the very least.
3	BABY BLAZE	Moved to the lead when favored last time, but came up empty. This race appears much softer on the surface. Player.
4	APOLLO BLUE CHIP	Back to back decent efforts at the $15,000 level. He seems to fit well in this spot. Looks like a potential contender.
5	MYSTICAL SHYANN	That was a nice effort last time. But now she has won her way into the classified system and is facing older as well.
6	FOOL’S REVENUE	The winner of that qualifier came back to win convincingly. Is he ready off one qualifier that was a month ago? I say no.
7	RINGSIDE LAURYN	Finished ok in the final quarter of that last event. Still doesn’t have any gate speed and will have a long way to come.
8	B L CLASS ACT	Qualifier was just OK, but the winner of that qualifier is a potential FFA trotter. Still, he doesn’t seem to be at his best.
9	MACHO LINDY	His last race excluded, he is in pretty good form. He has the speed to overcome the draw and was Andy’s choice as well.
10	CRYPTO MAN	Don’t like this post for him in this 12 horse field. Not sure he has the speed necessary from here either. Longshot.
11	APRIL SUNSHINE	Makes her second start back off the qualifier. She is always a risk as she can break at any time. Will not offer value.
12	BIG SKY DOMINO	His last start was a bit better but I am not totally sold that this is a great spot for him from post 12. Another longshot.

11

Eleventh Race

Picks: 5-2-1-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	ARGUMENT HANOVER	She has been in some tough races and this barn will attract plenty of action at the windows. Short price coming.
2	MYSTICAL VICTRESS	She continues to race well, but she is yet to win this year. That being said, it is hard to get her off your tickets.
3	DOCDOR LIBBY	Her last couple of starts have been solid. She faces a very tough group here and appears a fringe player in this field.
4	RHAPSODY ROSE	One thing is for certain, she packs plenty of early speed. She steps up a level, but is too sharp to ignore here.
5	FEELING YOU	Loved her qualifier two back. I thought she pulled up on the lead last time. I give her a big chance in a very tough field.
6	QUEEN OF ROYALTY	Facing a similar group to last week, but this appears even a little bit tougher. I guess she is a longshot here.
7	MOJARRA HANOVER	Broke through with a pylon skimming win last week. This field is a bit tougher, but she beat a few of these last out.
8	CLEAR VIEW HANOVER	She’s coming from last. Plain and simple. So ask yourself, do you think she will pass the entire field? Tricky.

12

Twelfth Race

Picks: 4-3-6-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	SYNERGY SEELSTER	She has gone a bit flat in her last couple of starts. This race is a bit softer in its classification. Still a tough group.
2	LOOKINFORAGOODTIME	Earned a confidence building win last time at Freehold. The move back here is always tougher. Longshot.
3	STAR KEEPER	I like the improvement she showed in her most recent start getting some class relief. She appears to be a factor again.
4	SANGAAL	She was trapped in behind horses in the stretch and appeared very rank. She even shied away from a whip. She’ll take money.
5	LIGHTNING PAIGE	She past a few horses in the stretch last time, but she isn’t coming with enough of a rally to merit win consideration.
6	LEXUS ARTIST	Her last two starts have been sharp and there is no real reason to not expect another solid try in this spot. Contender.
7	SMOKE PAN MIRRORS	She had no chance last time from an impossible spot. This looks a bit more to her liking. I can make a case.
8	JOYFULJOY N	Came from too far back last time, and I think she has more speed than that start reflects. Could see her on the ticket.
9	CHILD’S PLAY	Showed good speed last time, but just got tired late. Draws outside and that makes things tougher. Tricky call here.
10	GORDYS FILLY YENTA	Does a good job earning checks. Tonight’s problem is the post. She will likely have too much to do.