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Handicapping

Week Of 2/3 - 2/9
SU3
MO4
TU5
WE6
TH07
FR08
SA09

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 07, 2013

1

First Race

Picks: 2-1-3-9

H	Horse	Comment
1	BELL’S PANACEA	Exits the same race as the favorite, and out-raced his 31-1 final odds. Slow Starter needs similar trip. Earns a share.
2	OIL MAGNET	Clearly the one to beat following a romp against tougher last week. One of the favorites to win this series. Likely winner.
3	ROCKNROLL JEWEL	Hard to knock this gelding’s recent form. This will be tougher than that C-2 he exits, but he is too sharp to dismiss.
4	CARRIE ANN	Mare tackles the boys in a pretty tough spot. She has a win here this meet, but this will be a different ballgame. Tough task.
5	VEAL MARSALA	Now 9, but he is always good for a big effort at The Big M. I would like to have seen more from his qualifiers here.
6	TIME STOOD STILL	I think he is up against it in this spot. Last three starts have been just fair. I need to see some improvement now.
7	WHITE RULER	Has not won since December 6, 2011. His last pair of starts have been an improvement. Still call him a longshot here.
8	WILLIE BOOTS	Moves to the Harder barn, which is interesting given how hot that barn has been. Is he ready off the 1 qualifier? Perhaps.
9	CAMBASSADOR	Exits a very fast qualifier. Winner and runner-up were 7th next out, 3rd place finisher was 3rd in B-2. He fits in this spot.

2

Second Race

Picks: 3-7-10-6

H	Horse	Comment
1	JAILHOUSE JUICE	Was a non-factor in the Super Bowl Final. Can’t see him making up that much ground on ‘Galliano. Longshot.
2	NO FROSTING	Came to a halt in the stretch last week as an overwhelming favorite. Runs into a formidable favorite here. Can he rebound?
3	WINDSUN GALLIANO	When he trots he is a handful and his Super Bowl was ultra-impressive. Think it will take a mistake to get him beat.
4	PITTSTOP RUTHIE	Last start at Dover was 3 seconds faster than ‘Frosting’s win. That’s interesting. 10 Runner up finishes. Minor award.
5	PRECIOUS METAL	Well beaten at 74-1 against a group that is a notch below this field overall. Looms a longshot once again.
6	SWEET BEN	Made an ill-timed break in the Super Bowl Final. Prior effort was good. Which trotter shows up tonight? Adds some value.
7	MAJESTIC STONE	Romped against softer last time. Raced well in the Super Bowl, but didn’t face ‘Galliano. Is he ready for this? Player.
8	CAMP SPEEDY	Has not made an impact yet at The Meadowlands and she will need to step her game up in this spot. Another longshot.
9	VOLARE DE VIE	It appears that Lasix has made a difference. Tonight’s problem is the post and dealing with a good field. Expect speed.
10	SEQUIN HANOVER	Clearly this mare has ability and with Quick Deal’s effort fresh in my mind, I caution you to ignore her at your own risk.

3

Third Race

Picks: 1-4-8-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	DRIVE ALL NIGHT	Flipped a switch when switching barns in November and hasn’t stopped since. Qualifier says he is ready. Prime player.
2	DREAMZZZZ R FOR U	Exits a strong field. See how Oil Magnet and Bell’s Panacea fared in the first race. Just 1 for 34 last year. Maybe.
3	DIAMOND DAN N	Shows a recent win but other than that his form is up and down. Looks like he is in a tough spot here. Longshot.
4	KILLER QUAKES	This looks like a good spot and this gelding is very sharp of late. One of the two major win candidates in this field.
5	GO GO RAIDER	Last pair of starts have been pretty good and he has a good draw here. Still needs to improve to get his picture taken.
6	STORMIN RUSTLER	His last effort is a bit concerning as he slowed in the stretch. Won at this $15k level earlier. Mixed feelings from here.
7	MEDOLAND BIG CAM	Last two starts just are not what you want to see. Needs a total form reversal at this point. Longshot again.
8	DIANE’S SHARK	Coming off a six week layoff, but this is the right level. See how the Harder new acquisition did in the first race. Maybe.
9	ART FOR LIVING	Has not made the transition from Rosecroft successfully and his recent form is very dull. Looms a longshot in this field.

4

Fourth Race

Picks: 2-10-6-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	WOODRUFF	This is the intriguing prospect of the field, moving to the Toscano barn. Woodbine shippers have been dull so far though.
2	HELIOS	Nice try against the very tough Windsun Galliano last time. Real Babe draws the 10, so that makes this gelding the one to beat.
3	NO LESS THAN MAGIC	When finally free, he showed trot in the stretch. I’ve always been a fan of this gelding. Will keep him on tickets.
4	PAPER BACKED LINDY	Gelding has had some moments, but he is very inconsistent as well. He is a risky play. I will watch this time.
5	SOUTH JERSEY BUGSY	Tried a change in tactics last time and it didn’t work. Just not convinced he is up to this level. Longshot again.
6	WISENHEIMER	Went first over in the Super Bowl Final and it didn’t work out. We all know how good he can be. Give another chance.
7	MCATTEE	Good try last time out-racing his odds at 48-1. He packs speed, but he will need to be even better this time around. Tricky.
8	CHOCOHOLIC	Bongiorno did a good job to get a check with him last time. Make no mistake, this will be even tougher. Up against it.
9	LA HOLLYWOOD	Last pair of starts just don’t stack up against this field. He will need to show vast improvement now. Longshot.
10	REAL BABE	She couldn’t look much better than she has in her last pair. Post 10 will test her speed and she gets big challenge in Helios.

5

Fifth Race

Picks: 5-2-7-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	FOUR STARZ Q	Came off a nice season to say the least going 11 for 28. He’s returned pretty sharp as well. Many things to like here.
2	CASINO KING	It’s not very common to see a nine year old getting Lasix for the first time. Qualifier was just OK. Still looks like a player.
3	DONTTELLPORKIES N	Earned a confidence building win last time. Making his third start back of the layoff. He looks like a contender.
4	DOIN TIME TOGETHER	Form has gone in the wrong direction lately and it’s hard to endorse him given his last few starts. Longshot.
5	BOILER BOB THE QB	Making his 2nd start for the Burke Barn and with the improved post, I can see him taking plenty of play. Contender.
6	TERRYS STAR DRAGON	Obviously his last start was not what his connections were looking for. Previous effort was good. Tough call.
7	DA VISION OF ART	Gelding raced OK in his first start back off the 5 week layoff. He figures to improve, but this will be tougher. Tricky.
8	DAVE PANLONE	Last pair of efforts were a major improvement and he figures to show speed from here. Pace factor in this spot.
9	IMAGE OF DAWN	His last effort was just marginal and now he has the far outside. He will need to show more speed from this draw.

6

Sixth Race

Picks: 3-9-7-5

H	Horse	Comment
1	HOT CHA CHA	Showed some good tries at Freehold, but he also can throw in a break from time to time. This will be a tough task.
2	LADY AT BAT	Added Lasix but it didn’t seem to help in his last start as he came home in 31.3. I need to see some improvement.
3	DECK THE HALLS	Added Lasix as well and raced OK off the long layoff. He figures to show some improvement in this spot. Interesting.
4	MOREY	Raced well against Helios in Round 1 of the Super Bowl, but then fell into a miscue. Which trotter shows up tonight? Tricky read.
5	PILATUS	Showed a big kick from off the pace last time. That could be the confidence builder he needed. Still a risky play due to breaks.
6	OUR MOJO	See how the first Toscano newcomer did earlier on the card. Gelded son of Kadabra raced well at times in the ONSS.
7	WITHOUT A CLUE	That was a big qualifier, and it’s worth noting the runner-up came back to win and is in this field. He likes to win too!
8	GOOD SOUND ADVICE	Just 2 for 34 in his career. He has shown some big efforts, but also some mistakes. He is always a risky play.
9	ON THE PODIUM	Despite the 2 for 38 mark, he has over $107,000 in earnings. Gelding has some ability and adds Lasix now. A player.
10	THE PADRE	Not sure what happened last time but that effort was almost too bad to be true. I will be taking a stand against at this point.

7

Seventh Race

Picks: 1-3-2-4

H	Horse	Comment
1	STAGECOACH HOLDUP	Pulled a 51-1 shocking upset last week at Dover. Will he be able to duplicate that effort here? He has a shot.
2	SKY TANTRUM	He hadn’t been winning too often lately, but found a field he could beat last time. Gelding is in fine form right now.
3	CARMENS BEST	Back to back winning efforts at this level make him a player right back. Hard to make a case against him. Contender.
4	WIT AND WISDOM	Those are back to back narrow losses to Carmen and obviously it doesn’t take much to see him turn the tables.
5	LAGUNA BEACH	Stepping up off the claim and a very dull effort. Allard barn continues its struggles though. Hard to endorse right now.
6	WESTERN LEGEND	Never really got involved at Dover last time, so this is almost his first start back. I will be watching this time around.
7	AREZZO HANOVER	Moved to the Surick barn and never made it to the opening quarter. I need to see some signs of improvement.
8	REMISSIONOFSINS	Last start just is not going to cut it in this spot. Catches a wide draw without any speed as well. Needs much more.
9	LEBRON	Showed speed last time at Freehold, but was collared. This spot will be much tougher as well. I need to see improvement.

8

Eigth Race

Picks: 2-5-9-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	SAY ANYTHING	Recent form has not been strong and despite drawing the inside, she’ll need to step it up in a big way to contend here.
2	MYLUVMYLIFE	Former New Jersey Sire Stakes Champion moves to a new barn looking to get back on track. She is interesting here.
3	LOOKINFORAGOODTIME	Last few starts have been OK, and with a trip she might be sitting on an even better performance. Maybe.
4	SWEET TIME	Last few starts have been lacking and I need to see this mare step up her game. Looking for signs of improvement.
5	LOVE YOU BYE	Moves to the Burke barn and that is going to attract some attention. Has a primed post as well. Looks like a contender.
6	LEXUS ARTIST	Was even last time out and I think she needs to improve to be a win contender at this level. Need to see more now.
7	SLEAZY DOES IT	Getting some more post relief and she was a little bit better last time as well. Expecting a bit of a wakeup call here.
8	DE VINS GIRL	Parked out last time and paid the price. He effort two starts back against better makes her a contender in here. Player.
9	LIZZIE’S DREAM	Raced better last time despite going a tough trip. Draws outside but I can see her working her way into it. Contender.
10	LADYBONES	Scored a huge upset two starts back, but has no early speed and draws the far outside. I think she’ll have too much to do.

9

Ninth Race

Picks: 8-4-7-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	VILLAGE BLAST	Continues to do a good job picking up checks. Doesn’t get away from the gate too quickly though. Closes for a share.
2	PRESTISSIMO	Barn has been off to a slow start. This gelding faltered as the favorite when last seen here. Looks like a fringe player.
3	BIG TEN CHAMP	With the exception of the effort on 1/19, he has been very sharp. Cannot be dismissed and looks like a contender.
4	GET IT NOW	McDermott moved him up off the claim and protected him well for this series. Expect a rebound effort here. Takes play too.
5	SECTIONLINE BLAST	Form goes in and out, but I am not certain he is at his best at this level. Might need a bit softer than this.
6	MILLIONDOLLARTOUCH	Gelding has not been at his best since coming down to The Meadowlands. I need to see some improvement.
7	CANE RIDGE	Not a bad effort and he continues to race well since moving to the Burke barn. Has speed as well. Looks like a player.
8	WINBAK JAKE	He was awfully good at this level at Philly. Finished up nicely from a tough spot last time too. Intriguing contender in here.
9	DIGGERS REST N	Really think the draw is going to affect him here. Doesn’t have a ton of early speed. Just left with too much to do.

10

Tenth Race

Picks: 6-10-1-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	TSM GABBY WARBUCKS	Going from post 10 to the pole after showing some late interest gives him the tepid call as favorite here.
2	ATTACK MODES BILLY	Has not showed great improvement since the addition of Lasix, but in this field I expect an improved effort.
3	CYCLONE CULLY N	Recent form is pretty good and the eleven year old looks to be a player based on his recent form. One of the players.
4	CAMART HANOVER	Had no chance last time from an impossible spot. Will need to stay closer but he is not without a chance here.
5	CULLENS BLUE JEAN	Making his second start off the layoff and is getting some class relief. Has an ideal post in here. Still, a longshot.
6	ARTISTIC FLIGHT	I like him in this spot. He was better last time on the class drop. Now his third start off the layoff. Prime win candidate.
7	COME ON RIDGE	Made a wild break last time, but his prior form was solid. He can rebound and if he does he is a player in this group.
8	KINGOFTHECASTLE	Steps up from the bottom level at Freehold. Off a confidence builder but this is still a sizable move up in class.
9	ROCK THE COUNTRY	Was not a factor at the $15,000 level last time. This is a lateral move and I need to see more before I consider.
10	PALM’S BEACH	Moves outside, but he shows a win at this level. Has an extra 1/16th of a mile to work out a trip. Another contender here.
11	PLAYERS BALL	Enters this off a scratch and his prior effort was just OK. Will need to work out a trip from here. Need to see more.
12	SHOWTIME SHARK	Another that has been just fair in his past couple of starts and will need to find a way into it. Leaning against here.