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Handicapping

Week Of 1/27 - 2/2
SU27
MO28
TU29
WE30
TH31
FR01
SA02

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, January 31, 2013

1

First Race

Picks: 2-5-9-4

H	Horse	Comment
1	MARION MANHATTAN	Made his first start in a year and a half last time, but tired badly. Improvement will come in time.
2	MAJESTIC STONE	Looms a big favorite in this field based on his Super Bowl efforts. He catches a field that he just looks faster than.
3	RAPSCALLION	Neither qualifier inspires much confidence in here. He will need to improve his lifetime mark by 8 seconds or so to win this.
4	LUVALADY	Stayed flat and showed improvement in that last qualifier. Three year old filly against colts and older. See how she looks.
5	CAMP SPEEDY	Had too much ground to makeup in that last Super Bowl try. I like the driver change to a more aggressive Simon Allard.
6	CLASSIFIED ACTION	Clearly needed that first start back. That being said, this colt didn’t show much in his other starts. I need to see more.
7	TWIN TOWERS	Showed up with a much improved effort last time at Freehold. Aside from the favorite, this field didn’t come up tough.
8	MISS CONNOR	Not a bad final quarter in that last qualifier. She will need to step up her game though as well. Watching for now.
9	CASHCO	Added Lasix for that qualifier and responded well. If he is ready off the layoff, then he is a certain contender in this group.
10	MAJESTIC MIDNIGHT	Did not factor in The Super Bowl and despite this field being softer, I can’t see him contending from here.

2

Second Race

Picks: 8-10-7-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	MC GILLACUDY-HENRY	Last pair of starts have been a bit better with the addition of Lasix. Still, just 1 for 27 and loses Gingras.
2	PEBBLEBEACH DE VIE	Only one start under her belt. She has every right to improve off that mile. Watch the tote board closely.
3	IDEAL PORTRAIT	I liked the late burst she showed at the end of that qualifier. Is she ready off this layoff? Top 2 chalks will be tough.
4	IT’SALL YOUR FAULT	Exits the same qualifier as ‘Portrait, but that filly went by this mare in the stretch. Watching this time around.
5	SHARK LIGHTNING	Did not factor at 153-1 in her first start of the year. She had some good races at Philly last year. Needs to step up.
6	SUMMER SUNLIGHT	Earned a check while out-racing her odds last time. Feel a minor award is her ceiling again against the favorites.
7	CRAZY EIGHTS	Not a bad effort at all for her first start. I don’t think she is up to the top two just yet, but she is an exotics player in here.
8	LIZ’S LIL K K	Cut the mile after being stretched to the quarter, giving a perfect trip to ‘Ginny. Post and speed edge. Tough to catch.
9	ROCKNROLL RHAPSODY	Floated away and sat along the pylons, but didn’t offer any punch in the stretch last time. Must improve.
10	IDEAL GINNY	Worked out a perfect trip to beat ‘Liz last time. She will have to be used a bit more from this draw early. Formidable foe.

3

Third Race

Picks: 8-7-9-10

H	Horse	Comment
1	OLIVER KISS	Well-beaten last time at the $15,000 level. Last few starts have not been too promising. Must step it up from here.
1A	JEDRIK HANOVER	I can’t believe he stayed trotting in the stretch last week. Has a very awkward and rough gait. Risky play from post 10.
2	WHATNBLAZES	Geldings form went in and out at Freehold. Earned almost $50k last year despite just two wins. He can earn a share.
3	GUIDING LIGHT	Making his 2nd start back off a 6-week layoff. Coming off a light year as well. Needs to step up his game here.
4	ORDER BY CORLEONE	Loomed up on the outside before flattening out in the stretch. Effort was better than anything he did in 2012.
5	SAM’S HONEYBEE	Mare had a decent year last year but appeared overmatched in a C-1 trot here earlier. Coming off a break as well.
6	CUZZIN ROB	Qualifier was not what I was looking for and he is coming off an 0 for 24 season as well. I need to see a start first.
7	TREMENDOUS HIT	Enters this in better form than most of these and shows 8 wins last year as well. Expect Heckoff to be aggressive here.
8	ZOT	Hoover has won here before and this looks like the horse to beat off his last win from post 11. Hard not to like in this spot again.
9	PERMANENT JOY	Was a fast closing 3rd last time and the post probably cost him the win. Will the same happen here? Still a major threat.
10	SOME KINDA SPUNKY	Goes from the Super Bowl to an amateur race. I honestly haven’t seen that before. Wouldn’t shock me here.

4

Fourth Race

Picks: 6-7-3-9

H	Horse	Comment
1	STARGLOW HALL	Had trot in the stretch last time, but this field came up a bit tougher from top to bottom. Leads off wide open race.
2	BIG SKY DOMINO	Owns a class edge on many of these, but has been off for four weeks and his recent form has been dull.
3	PAISLEY	Raced very well at this level last time, but Miller chose off. Gingras picks up a very live drive in this wide open affair. Contender.
4	AEQUITAS	Not a bad qualifier from post 10 at all and this was Tetrick’s choice. Showed more speed there than usual as well. Player.
5	NEW ZION	Raced very well last time and just got beat by a very good horse when he trots. Steps up and loses Simpson too. Tricky call.
6	DECK THE HALLS	Made a bold move to the lead last time and had a right to get tired. He will improve here and looms a big contender.
7	BOINGA	She was a dominant winner last time and is a deserving favorite despite the class bump. That being said, I’ll try to beat her.
8	STREAKIN STAR	Certainly shows good form and that is a nice looking qualifier too. It’s safe to say we can expect speed. Another player.
9	DASH FOR THE CASH	Recent form has been just fair, but he is getting some class relief. Might have a long way to come but will factor.
10	UP FRONT STRIKING	Showed his speed making an easy lead from post 6 at YR. There is other speed in here. Does Andy gun? Tricky.

5

Fifth Race

Picks: 3-5-4-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	LEXUS ARTIST	Has been racing pretty well lately and wasn’t bad on the step up at Yonkers last time. This will be a test though.
2	CAMMI PLACE	Raced well last week finishing behind a sharp mare. Tetrick did choose off in here, but Miller got along fine with her.
3	LIZZIE’S DREAM	Tetrick gives this mare another look at his level following a no chance mile. I expect a rebound effort here. Don’t dismiss.
4	TANNED FOR LIFE	This is one of the few from this barn yet to fire. Made a big move into headwinds last time. Figures to improve.
5	NUTMEGS YANKEE	Mare has been showing good speed in her last two starts and this is a touch of class relief from last time. Interesting.
6	K J HANNAH	Did not factor last time and was not Gingras’ choice. Raced well on the 4th though, so I can make a case for a rebound.
7	ELODIE	Not a bad effort last time, but not great either. She seems to be a perfect fit to continue to toss underneath on your exotic tickets.
8	JACK’S MAGIC JEWEL	She has been picking up checks lately, but has been lacking the winning punch. Her 1/17 effort was disappointing.
9	OBSESSIVE ARTIST	Raced with broken equipment last time, so toss that race out. Barn has been cold, but don’t sell too short.
10	MATT’S SMOKIN LIL	Earned a confidence builder last time, but she was not a factor at this level prior. Tough to recommend from here.

6

Sixth Race

Picks: 7-9-10-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	NEW YORK MUSCLE	Made a nice move in that qualifier on the backstretch. But he has been off 3 months and Tetrick chose off.
2	CHOCOHOLIC	Bongiorno was aggressive with her and she picked up a check. A win may be a stretch, but is a dime super candidate.
3	SOUTH JERSEY BUGSY	At this point I feel he will need to catch a softer group to wire the field. He just is light on stamina right now.
4	PILATUS	Was not bad in that qualifier, but his inability to stay flat in race miles is a concern at this point. See how he looks on the track.
5	PRECIOUS METAL	That was on OK qualifier and he showed some decent races at Freehold. Draws a good post here. Tricky call.
6	MCATTEE	Responded to the Lasix on 1-3. Has been off since then and qualifier was just fair. Seems to have speed. Pace factor.
7	NO FROSTING	That is a pretty good looking mile at Dover and now gets the hottest driver at the track. I expect him to be a handful in here.
8	LADY AT BAT	Added Lasix in that qualifier and raced better. Is this mare ready to jump up with a big effort? It’s a possibility.
9	VOLARE DE VIE	Responded to Lasix last time and was finishing with trot. Catches a good group here, but he should be a factor now.
10	GOOD SOUND ADVICE	Thoroughly dominated in a softer spot last time. We’ll see speed from this wide draw. Don’t want a short price.

7

Seventh Race

Picks: 3-4-8-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	STONEBRIDGE ROCKET	Did not factor at this level two starts back. Post improves and I like the move to Miller. Has some upside now.
2	EVERGREEN POWER	Total wild card in this field. Was overmatched in the Hirt and made a break at this level. Not was just 5-1 in there.
3	CORKY BARAN	This might be the class relief he needed. The winner of that last race would be 1/5 in here. Looms a legit contender.
4	TERRYANG FRA	Broke through with a solid effort last time. Moves into the classified system now, but I don’t think this is tougher. Like.
5	ARSENAL	Gets some class relief following the miscue last time. Has not been very sharp, but does have a class edge on some of these.
6	SHEER DESIRE	Nice effort last time and was Tetrick’s choice of three in here. Perfect post, gives Tetrick options too. Contender.
7	DANA’S SHARP SMART	Been a long time since he won, but I like the speed he showed from post 10 last time. Was not Tetrick’s choice.
8	DOUBLETROUBLE	Gelding is rather sharp right now and gets tested on the move to M1 now. He is proven on the big track in Illinois.
9	DIGGERS REST N	Qualifier was not bad at all and shows a couple of decent races at Freehold. Off the layoff, I will watch this race.
10	PALM’S BEACH	Nice win last time coming with a wide rally. This will be much tougher and he catches the worst of the draw.

8

Eigth Race

Picks: 3-5-12-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	CASH MCCOY	Exits the Super Bowl series where he didn’t make much of an impact. This looks softer on paper. A minor share, maybe.
2	RED ROCKET CHIP	Has not won in a while. Is getting some class relief and shows some decent races in Philly. Minor award possible.
3	DW’S EASTER	Won a leg of the Super Bowl last year. Appears to be in pretty good form and I like the move to Andy Miller. Contender.
4	ZEITGEIST	Was not involved at all last time and it’s hard to recommend off that last mile. Doesn’t pack much early zip either.
5	TWIN B NAVIGATOR	Raced OK against a better group from post 10 last time. Gets the tepid call as the favorite in a wide open race.
6	LUCERNE DE VIE	Making his 2nd start back off the 4 week layoff. Didn’t get involved from a tough spot last time at YR. Could improve.
7	THROUGH THE NIGHT	Made his first start off a 5 week layoff last time and did not factor. Another that can improve, but it’s tricky.
8	BAILEYS PHOTO	This is his 2nd start off an 8 week layoff, but his prior form was dull. I need to see another start with this mare.
9	WESTERN CREDIT	Did not factor despite taking some play last time. Moves outside and is another that I need to see improvement.
10	GEORGIAN DIABLO	Added hobbles last time and made a first over move before tiring badly in the stretch. Gets a class drop now.
11	TUSCAN LINDY	Gets caught in a tough spot and didn’t make much of an impact at this level last time. Appears up against it.
12	COUNT SPEED	This is a class drop as he is coming out of some good races at Woodbine. Is he ready off this 4 week layoff? Tough call.

9

Ninth Race

Picks: 4-7-5-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	ANDY BARAN	Has not raced badly in either start since coming here. This field is wide open on paper and he is someone to be included.
2	MASTERS CHAMPION	Has not gotten off the gate well lately and is form is lacking. I need to see some improvement before playing.
3	BETTERTHANLYNX	Both starts here have not been up to bar. Gets his 3rd different driver in as many starts. Maybe Miller figures him out.
4	YA GOTTA GO	This is a move down in class and the driver change here is going to attract attention. Watch the tote board. Things to like.
5	PRINCE SHARKA	All things considered, he didn’t race badly in the Clyde Hirt series. Obviously, this will be softer. Looms a win candidate.
6	THANKS FOR STOPPIN	Pulled off a mild upset at this level on 1/11, but his subsequent start was not as good. Which gelding shows up?
7	FOOL OF IDEAS	Didn’t race too badly last time and gets some class relief too. Has speed which Yannick will lose. Should be tough.
8	GET JAZZED	He has been racing pretty good since coming here. Might have too much to do in this spot, but I can see including him.
9	DOMITIAN HANOVER	Shows a couple of even efforts in his last pair of starts. If Simpson can keep him closer, he has a chance.
10	CULLENS BLUE JEAN	Exits a very fast qualifier, but he is coming off an 8 week layoff and has post 10 too. This looks tough.

10

Tenth Race

Picks: 5-7-8-9

H	Horse	Comment
1	HANKS KID	Qualifier hinted at some improvement and this race didn’t come up that rough. Just 1 for 37 last year. Bottom of exotics?
2	PRO MATTIC	Made two moves last time and tired in the stretch. Loses Miller here. Price will be big for believers. Looking elsewhere.
3	DRAGON KING	Raced well at this level but is coming off a 1 for 31 season as well. He should fit in this spot. Using underneath.
4	YANKEE DEVIL	Gets some class relief but his form has been rather dull. Miller goes elsewhere too. I will be watching this time.
5	ATTACK MODES BILLY	Added Lasix and raced better. Good post and was Miller’s choice of three. I will take a shot in this spot.
6	DOIN TIME TOGETHER	Did not factor at all from post 10. I suppose he can improve this time but I will be looking elsewhere for the winner.
7	ROCKNROLL JEWEL	Cannot knock his recent form, and Berry is driving only this one (who he co-owns). I think he has a big shot here.
8	ZEN MAJOR	Made a bold move early in that mile and raced extremely well, losing to a classy horse. He fits in this spot. Contender.
9	SECTIONLINE BLAST	Nice effort last time, losing by just a neck when favored. This race may be tougher, but he is sharp lately.
10	TSM GABBY WARBUCKS	Had a bit too much to do last time, but fear that may be the case again from here. Underneath for a share.