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Handicapping

Week Of 3/3 - 3/9
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, March 07, 2013

1

First Race

Picks: 8-7-5-9

H	Horse	Comment
1	CORLEONE HALL	Regressed into a break last time with the addition of hobbles. That’s concerning. Final quarter in start 1 was solid.
2	AMARCORD	Has been off a month and is just 1 for 35 lifetime. At this point, I will pass on him until he starts turning things around.
3	BRISSOT	Another off a scratch, and this was of the injured variety. Also off for a month. 1 for 25 mark will keep me away for now as well.
4	DAGGET	That was an odd race he is coming out of and Miller even opted off following the win. I am not sold on a repeat of that effort.
5	KEYSTONE COCOA	One for One to start her career. It was a win against softer at Freehold, but that’s ok. I’ll bet she has more to offer.
6	CLASSIFIED ACTION	Yet to make much of an impact in his career and Miller opted off as well. Continue to tab for future consideration.
7	JURGEN HANOVER	Colt has a bright future on the NYSS circuit. Might need a couple of starts to be at his best. But he will be tough here.
8	RAPID ASCENT	Ditto on the comments for the previous trotter. Might have a seasoning edge over that foe. Could be the one to beat.
9	LUVALADY	Nice rally last time, but keep in mind that race didn’t come home all that quick. Consider her an candidate for exotics.
10	SOUTH JERSEY BUGSY	Backed up from the pocket throughout the mile with the addition of Lasix. That is troubling to me. Passing.

2

Second Race

Picks: 1-5-2-9

H	Horse	Comment
1	EAGLE LUCK	Last race he had no chance. Prior start was his first in three months. Has a right to improve. Adds value to the exotics.
2	CORKY BARAN	Raced better on the class drop, but there was a time where he would be 1-5 in this field. One of several contenders.
3	FRESH DREAM	Made a break early in the mile last time. Tetrick does opt here over ‘Beware. Still is just 2 for 31. Minor award possible.
4	PALM BEACH BOY	That was not a bad effort while outracing his odds at 42-1. Will need to come home quicker than 29.1 to win this.
5	HE’S A BEACHBOY	Big M stretch was just a little bit too long for him last week. That should have him tightened up for this. Win candidate.
6	KINGOFTHECASTLE	No chance in either of his last two tries. Abbatiello goes elsewhere. That 27.4 last quarter is a little interesting…
7	FANTADDY	Adds Lasix for this event and he is coming out of a very solid qualifier. Woodbine shippers have been shaky so far. Tricky.
8	BEWARE OF DARKNESS	Took a little money last time but never really got involved. This race is similar and I need to see more from him.
9	GET JAZZED	Raced better last time and I think he is coming out of the better of the C-2 divisions last week. There are things to like here.
10	PLAYERS BALL	That was a good effort last time as he used his speed to lay close. This will be a bit more challenging. Tricky call.

3

Third Race

Picks: 8-7-4-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	DUSENBERG	Continues to struggle this year and off his last two efforts it’s just too difficult to recommend considering him. Lonshot.
2	WYGANT KNIGHT	Doesn’t win often, but recently he has been in pretty solid form. This race didn’t come up that tough. Has a chance.
3	MISS CONNOR	Chased the same winner in the last pair. I guess this is a move up. But I think she can go with these. Gingras elsewhere.
4	COUNT SPEED	I am going to throw that last break out at Yonkers as he was in a tough spot. Prior effort was solid. Things to like.
5	WESTERN CREDIT	Was very good 2 starts back, but endured a difficult first over journey last time. Needs a trip to be effective here.
6	ORDER BY CORLEONE	His efforts at this level weren’t terrible, but he hasn’t won in the last 2 seasons and I am not betting on a win here.
7	HEIDI FALLS	Improved on the class drop last time and this race appears to be considerably softer. Marohn has a live contender here.
8	MYSTICAL CON	Gelding doesn’t win a lot, but Gingras gets back up and he slides down the ladder as well. Looks like the one to beat.
9	CASH MCCOY	Not a bad race last time as the winner got brave on the lead. Will have to come from a ways back. Fringe player now.
10	NEW YORKS FINEST	Exits a good qualifier, but hasn’t raced in 9 months and Allard opts elsewhere. I will watch a couple of starts.

4

Fourth Race

Picks: 6-2-4-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	MOVE ON	This is a move up the ladder, but it’s coming off a win. Has enough speed to protect position from the pole. Contender here.
2	INTEGRITY	Has won two of his last three starts at this level at Freehold. Seems to be sharp and gets Miller now too. Major factor again.
3	GRIMSBY	Qualifier was not very impressive and off the four month layoff, I would want to see a start before considering here.
4	ARMBRO DOWRY	He had no shot in either start here. But does show a win at this level at Freehold. He is eligible to race better.
5	MICHAEL’S MARVEL	Liked him last week and he didn’t have much to offer. Watching for signs of improvement at this point in time.
6	FOUR STARZ TWINS	Back to back solid tries at this level make him a prime player. He is coming out of a very sharp mile as well.
7	GRAY OLIVES	Mare facing the boys that is making a double jump in class as well. She is pretty sharp though. Still, needs even more.
8	RED STAR TOMAHAWK	Another racing very well over at Freehold and doing so at this level. Seems to be an exotics player in here.
9	L M XKR	Had no chance last time, but this spot looks rather similar. Bongiorno will need to produce speed for him to factor now.
10	JO WILLY	Another who will be hampered by his post as his lack of speed is a problem. Likely has too much to do from this spot.

5

Fifth Race

Picks: 7-3-2-10

H	Horse	Comment
1	BIG SKY ANGELINA	Tough trip as a decisive favorite at Freehold last time. Draws inside and will likely tow along and hope to keep up.
2	PAISLEY	Moves down in class following the break. Has shown speed and I expect him to be a factor from the start of this race. Player.
3	BABY BLAZE	Another moving down the ladder and coming off a break. His best is good enough to win this. But is it worth the risk?
4	JAILHOUSE ROCKIE	Just wasn’t as good last time from post 9. I can see him improving off that last start. Call him an exotics player.
5	CC MISTER C	Form has been just marginal lately and his now coming off a break as well. I need to see a start before I consider.
6	AX MAN	Appears Harmon wants to handle this gelding himself and try to keep him trotting. I will watch this time and see how he goes.
7	STARGLOW HALL	Last two races have been sharp and she enters this in better form that most. Not much improvement needed here.
8	SHINING EMBER	Has not raced since the end of November and has a tendency to go offstride as well. Both make me shy away here.
9	CURRENT CRISIS	Dropping down a level and Krivelin makes the move to a catch driver now as well. Gelding has a winning history.
10	JULIA’S WAY	Chased a very sharp winner who went virtually wire to wire. Appears to have speed to overcome this draw. Factor.

6

Sixth Race

Picks: 5-8-2-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	I DO IT MYSELF	Could not maintain the move she made last time. With the right trip, she can be better here. Adds value to the exotics.
2	CAMMI PLACE	Caught in a tough spot in the stretch as the 8/5 favorite. Gingras sticks and with a better trip, she figures to be a factor.
3	CRUZIN ANGEL	Aggressive move to the lead last time before eventually tiring. I can see her racing better with that start under her belt.
4	MY SPRING FLING	Has been good in 2 of her last 3. The one she raced “poorly” she was on the lead. With the right setup, she’s good.
5	ARIANE HANOVER	Came from a tough spot last time and I like the way she has been finishing her last two. An intriguing player here.
6	CAROLSTERN	I guess it’s safe to say she needed that start off the 2 scratches. Figures to work out a trip here. Tote board is your guide.
7	WATTAQUEEN	Not a terrible qualifier, but was just 1 for 25 last year and is making her first start since December. I need to see a start.
8	CHEYENNE PATTI	Seems to be racing well. Last start at Yonkers was a bold try from a tough spot. Another that can factor with a trip.
9	KIMMY	She was moving again to the wire and looks to be very sharp right now. Waiting for her to race in a live outer flow. Could happen.
10	CHARTREUSE HANOVER	Miller drove her aggressively last time and she raced well. This post is tricky though. Might have too much to do.

7

Seventh Race

Picks: 5-3-1-9

H	Horse	Comment
1	LOTSA POWER	Moving to the Burke barn and I suppose everyone will jump on that bandwagon. Will only see my money if value is fair.
2	ABSOLUTELY MICHAEL	Not a bad qualifier at Dover. But this horse as a $5,000 Claimer with 2 wins last year. I will be watching him here.
3	TAMAYO	Loved him last week and he was super. Tetrick opts off, but a fine replacement in Dave Miller. Looms a logical win candidate.
4	CULLENS BLUE JEAN	Seems to be lacking that knockout punch and I am not sure he will find it here. Battles for a minor award.
5	CAMBASSADOR	Obviously, he has a class edge on this field. I think Tamayo can go with him. I will take the better value of the two.
6	MARKET FORCE	The claim has not worked out. He has driven like he was best last time and had nothing left in the stretch. Not sold.
7	MAJOR MOVES	Interesting spot for this Woodbine shipper. Lachance has shown up with some live horses recently. Watch tote.
8	MAKE IT BRIEF	Has speed and seemed to relish this level at Dover. In the right spot and looms a major player in this field. Using.
9	BLADE RUNNER	Continues to race well, and he was a nice winner a few starts back. That being said, I think he is an exotics candidate.
10	P J LUCKY	Adds Lasix for this but his recent form has been suspect. Outside draw is not going to help matters either. Longshot here.

8

Eigth Race

Picks: 8-6-10-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	SPECTATOR K	Was up against it in the Horse and Groom. This is more to his liking, but he will still need to improve in this spot.
2	BRUCE THE BRAVE	Getting some class relief but not racing well. Doesn’t win a whole lot and I will likely watch this one start closely.
3	BLOMKVIST	Nice rally last time but it came up short. He was better than the previous week. Likely to take money once again. Threat.
4	PAPER BACKED LINDY	He qualified well, but can we trust him to stay trotting under the lights? I will continue to pass on him due to that.
5	CRYPTO MAN	He has had success here in the past and this draw will help hos racing style. If Campbell works out a trip, he can be used.
6	CHOCOHOLIC	Found a cozy spot last time and raced like it. Moves up but if she goes that fast again, she can win this race as well.
7	WEEKEND VACATION	First start since September off a series of qualifiers. Last one indicates to me that she needs a start.
8	MR FENWICK	Big mile last week and now moves up with a couple of other sharp contenders here. Might offer better value as well.
9	B L CLASS ACT	Dominant move in that Billings race. Granted this will be tougher, but I wouldn’t rule this gelding out. Possibility.
10	UPFRONTSTRIKESGOLD	Nice try behind a very sharp winner. The draw isn’t going to help, but it wouldn’t stop me from playing him.

9

Ninth Race

Picks: 6-4-2-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	THE REAL DION	Form has been just OK. Nothing jumps off the page. Gingras opted off both parts of this entry as well. Tows along.
1A	SOUTHWIND MILO	Similar thoughts to his stablemate. Also has the tougher of post assignments without much speed. Marginal factor.
2	IN KENNY’S HONOR	Raced well last time against what would be deemed “better.” Yet Gingras still opted off. Will be using underneath.
3	HOPSKIPANAJUMP	Comes in off the claim away from the Allard barn. Shows good efforts at this level and even better. Interestig.
4	CANE RIDGE	Would have to be considered the favorite as a B-2 is much tougher than this. Win at the $15k level looks imposing.
5	CHEYENNE UMBERTO	Form just has not been sharp and he doesn’t seem to be finishing his miles too well either. Longshot for now.
6	TROUBLE HANOVER	While it appears that he has tailed off, I think he was in a couple of tough spots in those last 2. Not selling short.
7	THE ENCOUNTER	Neither qualifier gives me a whole lot of confidence coming into this mile. Off the layoff, I need to see a start.
8	LAGUNA BEACH	He raced much better last time and this barn might be starting to turn things around. Tote board will tell the tale here.
9	BRISTLE RIDGE BOB	Winning at the $8,000 level at The Meadows, after moving up from the $5k. Is he ready for this? Possibly.
10	DUKE OF GANNON	Comes into this off back to back losses against softer at Freehold. That just won’t cut it here. Remains a longshot.

10

Tenth Race

Picks: 10-1-9-6

H	Horse	Comment
1	STONEBRIDGE ROCKET	Not a bad try at all last time and I think this gelding has rounded back into form. Logical win candidate now.
2	FORENSIC Z TAM	Just has not picked it up since that win. The good news, he moves back down to that level. Watch very closely.
3	SHOWTIME SHARK	Recent form just has not been impressive and at this point it will take a form reversal for me to consider here.
4	IM A NICE SKY	Getting some class and post relief here. Chances are the price will be decent as well. I can see using him at a price.
5	MILLIONDOLLAR ART	This level is tougher than what he defeated at Freehold and his last two starts just haven’t inspired me enough.
6	BULLET BOB	He is interesting. Woke up with a much improved effort at Freehold last time. Moves down to the C-2 and he can contend.
7	SKY TANTRUM	Last two starts are ugly, there is just no way around it. He has speed though, and perhaps he can improve here. Tricky.
8	DRAGON KING	I thought he had to win last week and he didn’t. Now Andy goes elsewhere and this field is tougher. Fringe player this time.
9	PAN GRAD	Interesting to see Andy go here, that should tell us something. This gelding has speed too. Expect him to be a factor now.
10	PEDRO ISLAND	Barn change and Miller gives Buzzy a big call. It wouldn’t shock me at all if this horse fired a big shot. Watch the board!