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Handicapping

Week Of 12/23 - 12/29
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MO24
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SA29

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, December 28, 2012

1

First Race

Picks: 8-3-5-6

H	Horse	Comment
1	CELEBRITY HERCULES	Showed good late burst in his win at Georgian. That field was an Optional $15k claimer. This appears tougher.
2	MACHO LINDY	Did his best trotting in mid to late October, but has since tailed off. Just 1 for 12 on the year. Looking elsewhere.
3	BERKSHIRE	Winner from last is in A-2 Trot (Race 6). This field is comparable to the last he faced. Gelding is not without a chance.
4	DASH FOR THE CASH	Exits same event as Berkshire and caught a rough trip. Barn change and driver change. Intriguing at a price.
5	R SAM	Worked his way up the ladder at Philly and it got to be too much. Worth noting the wide draws in last two. Gelding likes this oval.
6	ARMOR HANOVER	Sharpest horse in the race. First time Lasix/Hopples. Winner from last has been 1st or 2nd in 7 consecutive starts.
7	GREY ICE	Winner of that QUA is a $15k claimer. Broke in his next start at Philadelphia. He loves the Tioga oval. Question him at M1.
8	OVER AND OUT	Has been all over the class ladder this year, with some success. Last was an optional $25k claimer. Some things to like.
9	STARGLOW HALL	Three year old filly is in a tricky spot here. She won a leg of the NYSS this year. Winner of last is a nice trotter. Tricky.
10	NORDIC VENTURE	Exits same race as ‘Dash and ‘Sam. Has the speed to overcome the wide draw. Question his staying power.

2

Second Race

Picks: 1-9-8-6

H	Horse	Comment
1	AINT GOT A HOME	Tough first over trip last time. Winner of last was a repeat victor. Filly needs a trip to win, but she can get it in this spot.
2	ARTIE’S LAST PARTY	Upset the apple cart at 28-1, followed up with a sick scratch. This is a tough test for class for this filly.
3	BITTERSWEET BEST	Exits a below average qualifier and this filly lost ground in the stretch. Another getting a test for class in this spot.
4	ARTIE’S GIFT	Filly hasn’t won since August in nw2 company at Scioto. Recent form has been lacking. Turnaround required here.
5	FULL EXPLOSION	Had an up and down year in the Maine Breeders Stakes. Wins at Freehold were easy. This will be tougher. Tricky call.
6	SO WANTED	Recent form bodes well for this lass here. Concerned by the 2 for 26 lifetime record. Might be used best underneath.
7	ODDS ON GUINEVERE	Defeated ‘Explosion in a qualifier, but this filly’s 2 efforts at Yonkers do not bode well for either filly. Playing against.
8	FAST AND FIESTY	Appears to be a deserving favorite in this group. Brings plenty of speed to the race too. Soundly defeated ‘Home in last.
9	SHES LOVIN IT	Two tries off the layoff have been good. 15 runner-up finishes compared to 6 wins. I’ll play her accordingly in here.
10	CAROLSTERN	Field she beat at Freehold just does not stack up well against these. Likely coming from last. Don’t see it working out.

3

Third Race

Picks: 9-7-4-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	POWER SURGE	Wasn’t much of a factor in that qualifier. Form goes in and out but I don’t think his best is good enough to win this.
2	FRESCO BLUE	He was earning minor checks in $15k claimers earlier at Pocono. This is a bit tougher. Can see him sliding in for a share.
3	DOLLARS BROMAC N	Off for 5 weeks including a sick scratch. That’s not what I am looking for. Must step things up in this spot.
4	FLOWMASTER	Appears the one to beat on paper. Faces older here, but his last win was sharp. Was entered for $50k three starts back.
5	NORTHERN RIVER	Improved in his 2nd start off the layoff, which is an encouraging sign. Did his best racing at levels lower than this.
6	THREE NEW DAWNS	Draw a line through his last, being from post 8 at Yonkers. Effort two starts back was solid. Appears a contender.
7	TIGER WILLIAMS	Qualifier was decent enough and if you throw out the effort from 12-11, then you can make a case here. A possibility.
8	PEMBROKE ALEX BUSH	Certainly a pace factor in this spot, but I question his stamina with the long Meadowlands stretch. Tough read.
9	WISHER	Burke and Gingras were unstoppable together early last winter. Has the speed to overcome post 9. This is the right spot. Using.
10	FINANCE THE MASTER	Post 8 at Yonkers is an automatic toss-out. Effort from November 30th wasn’t bad. Can see including in gimmicks.

4

Fourth Race

Picks: 6-1-4-9

H	Horse	Comment
1	SOAPY SAP	Meadowlands mainstay kicks off another season. Changes barns here and she has been pretty good of late. Things to like.
2	CHOCOLATTA DE VIE	Filly is sharp, but this is a tough spot. Just 3 and tackling older horses. Only 1 for 21 too this year. Mixed feelings.
3	B L CLASS ACT	Gelding is in his best form of the season. Runner-up from his last was 4th in nw12000 at Yonkers next out. Possibility.
4	SARKOZY	Winner of last was 3rd in a nw25000 in his next start. This gelding is sharp and he has success over the big tracks in Canada.
5	LORD DARBY	Cannot knock his current form as he has been razor sharp. Wonder how he will handle the long M1 stretch. Tough call.
6	ARUBA VACATION	Does the bulk of his damage each year at Tioga. Last effort was decent. Winner of last won a nw25000 next out.
7	SPICE IT UP LINDY	Has been picking up checks of late and now goes to the Meittinis barn. Breakthrough effort required in this spot.
8	STAND GUARD	His form has gone the wrong way since the claim. That’s a concern. Has plenty of back class. Looking for improvement.
9	MISS LEE	Exits the same race as ‘De Vie and they were awfully close on the wire. Key race? Mare is not without a chance in this field.
10	PROUD MOMENT	He does his best work at The Meadowlands each year. Nice qualifier, but wonder with post 10 if we should wait a week.

5

Fifth Race

Picks: 7-1-5-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	OLE MISS	This mare looks like a handful in here. Her recent form is not her best, but she was facing some tough mares recently. Favorite.
2	DREAM’S BAR	Last win was visually impressive, dominating first over. This group will be tougher, however. One of many contenders.
3	ONE NIGHT	Left with way too much to do last time. This field is stronger than an $18k claimer at Philly. She’ll need to step it up here.
4	REAL RAVISHING	Won her way into tougher company in Philly, and it proved to be too tough. Three year old will have her hands full.
5	MISS SAND CREEK	Talk about all over the class ladder. Last could prove to be a confidence builder. Proven on a big track, too. Maybe.
6	NIGHTLY TERROR	This is a step up from that nw4 company at Yonkers. Off a sick scratch and a step up the ladder could prove tricky.
7	ANGELWITHNATTITUDE	Exits a key race as the winner and runner-up both came back to win. This mare looks setup for a big effort.
8	WILDFIRE OSBORNE	Goes without saying this is the sharpest horse in the race. Figures to be in the race from the start. Contender.
9	NITE GAMES	Just one start in the last month, so she figures to be tighter for this. She can land a share of this with the right setup.
10	CLEAR VIEW HANOVER	Filly went off form before getting a break. Runner-up in that qualifier is eligible for nw2 company. Watching one.

6

Sixth Race

Picks: 6-1-5-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	ALL MUNKY BUSINESS	See how ‘Chocolatta and Miss Lee did in the 4th. Can’t argue with current form. Winner from 12/6 is a beast.
2	THE BUDSTER	Gelding continues to pound out $100k seasons. Tracked ‘Ellen last week, with no success. Must find way to turn tables.
3	A LISTER	The Saratoga shippers did not perform well early in the meet last year. Mile track may play to this trotter’s racing style. Maybe.
4	MAGNUM KOSMOS	He puts up some nice miles when he remains trotting. Pace factor for sure, not sure he can hold them off in the lane.
5	ELLEN’S ISLE	Exits a strong field in Philly, and going first over just didn’t work. Perfect post for this mare. She will be a handful in this spot.
6	SEA RAVEN	Miller should be able to work this mare into the cover flow. Defeated by a very sharp favorite last time. Fits well in this group.
7	IN YOUR ROOM	See how Berkshire did in the 1st. Drop and pop last time, but this field looks like a stronger group. May need even more.
8	STIR ME UP	Winner from last is in the 8th. Post 8 at Philly is tough and he had too much to do from there. He is another candidate in here.
9	PICTURES OF MILLIE	Exits the same good group as ‘Ellen. Previous form was pretty solid. Will have a long way to rally, but has a chance.
10	KING’S CAVALIER	No match for both ‘Ellen and ‘Budster last time. Now has the widest draw without much speed. Looks like the longshot.

7

Seventh Race

Picks: 6-4-9-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	ALL ABOUT KISSES	Really had no chance in her most recent start. Previous tries at Saratoga were good, but this field came up tough.
2	WARRAWEE KOINE	Probably shouldn’t have been beat last time, but still raced good. Proven on a big track in Canada. A contender.
3	GROUNDED	Exits the same race as ‘MJ, but just had way too much ground to make up. Appears to be sharp right now. Has a chance.
4	RUB THING	Big win last time. Third place finisher from last was 3rd vs. nw25000 next time out. Another in good form right now. Contender.
5	CHIEF KAREN	Exiting some tough races at Yonkers and lands an ideal post here. Defeated a nice mare last time. Another contender.
6	ENDURING DELIGHT	Winner and 3rd place finishers from last were 4th and 5th in a $75k Open at Philly. Needs perfect setup in tough field.
7	PACIFIC DATE	Left with too far to come last time. Been facing mostly younger fillies lately at Dover. Still, she is very sharp right now.
8	ARCTIC FIRE N	Just wasn’t going anywhere from post 8 at Yonkers last time. Exits the same race as ‘Kisses. Part of a complex puzzle.
9	MJ’S BID	If you like Grounded, it’s hard not to like this filly. Exits the fastest last-out mile and is clearly sharp. Contention runs very deep.
10	JOLTING KATE	Many will simply toss her out because this race is impossible and she has the 10 hole. But she’ll make the lead in here!

8

Eigth Race

Picks: 6-7-4-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	DON’T KNOW CHIP	Looked awfully good considering that qualifier was off a four month layoff. Loves this track and he looks ready to go.
2	BAMBINO HALL	Has just one start in six weeks and has been off for three weeks as well. His best is good enough. May need a start.
3	ICE MACHINE	He raced well here at the beginning of the meet last winter. It has been a long season for him too. Still winning races.
4	THE CHANCELLOR	Always felt he did his best work right here. Field he beat last was a touch softer than this. Might need even more.
5	WIND SURFER	Trotter has some real class to him, but recent form has been suspect. See how Burke trainees have been doing so far.
6	HARBOR POINT	Have a feeling this horse could be the next big thing. Scharf private purchase looked great at Philly. The one to beat.
7	THE EVICTOR	He can be a handful, when he trots. Winner of last is a sharp trotter, was 4th in an Open next out. Not without a chance.
8	PHOTO KING	See how Ellen’s Isle did in the 6th. Another with just 1 start in the last 4 weeks. Packs enough speed to make him dangerous.
9	ALL ABOUT JUSTICE	Gelding can jump up and win when he finds himself in the right spot. This field came up very tough. Longshot.
10	LIKEABATOUTAHELL	Approaching his 10YO season and he has certainly had some big moments here. I will watch his first start back.

9

Ninth Race

Picks: 6-1-3-10

H	Horse	Comment
1	CAROLSIDEAL	Exits the same race as ‘Ryder and they finished within a ½ length of each other. She looks like a contender in this spot.
2	MOJARRA HANOVER	Half the field is exiting nw18000 races. This mare seems to tow along and try to earn a share typically.
3	MYSTICAL MJ	Her recent past performances look very similar to many of these. Which one will jump up and break through? Tough race.
4	RUNAWAY TRAY	She has slid down the class ladder in each of her last two starts, but it has not helped. Looks like a longshot.
5	SLEAZY DOES IT	Appears to be the longshot of this field. Three year olds recent form has not been sharp. Needs a turnaround.
6	FLASHY	Similar to Pacific Date, who raced in the 7th, see how she did. With exception of 11-28, this lass has been racing well. Contender.
7	GO ON BB	Hard to gauge how those Balmoral type Open Mares compare to this group. I think this field might be a bit tougher. Watch one.
8	SYNERGY SEELSTER	Recent form has gone the wrong way lately. Her best is good enough, but I need to see an improvement first.
9	RYDER BLUE CHIP	Three year old has been pretty good this year, but steps into this tough event against older. An outside chance.
10	CUZ SHE CAN	Here is another mare that has gone some big miles here. Lack of speed makes this draw a challenge. Maybe a share.

10

Tenth Race

Picks: 4-11-9-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	BRANDON’S COLT	Last effort was an improvement. Gets an important good draw in a large field. Looks like a contender in this spot.
2	ATTACK MODES BILLY	Form has been even lately and sports just a 1 for 25 mark this year. Will need to step it up to win this.
3	WITTY’S BEACHBOY	Those races at Colonial were against much softer company. That track plays very fast too. Looks like a longshot.
4	BRONSON BLUE CHIP	Found the move up to the $15k claiming level to be too much. Previous form was pretty impressive. Has a shot.
5	HE’S A BEACHBOY	Has not been very sharp of late and it appears that he will need a major turnaround to contend in this spot.
6	CELEBRITY SCANDAL	Added Lasix and raced better. Now 2nd time on Lasix, he can improve further. An intriguing player in a tough field.
7	NEW YORK TERROR	Monticello shippers did not have much success here last year. Feel like this one is up against it.
8	CHEYENNE OXE	Shows a win against nw2500 at Freehold. This is a tougher spot. Not sold on his chances in this event. Longshot.
9	PALM’S BEACH	Racing well in his last couple of starts, but with 2 trailers this wide draw is not going to be a benefit. Needs a trip.
10	SKIVVIES	The ten hole in a 12 horse field without much early speed is not where you want to be. In line for a difficult trip from here.
11	INFORM	Obviously his most recent form doesn’t jump off the page. But he has been facing better than most of these. Like post 11 here.
12	UPFRONT COSMO	Last couple have been OK, but he will have to maneuver through traffic here. Might consider using him underneath.

11

Eleventh Race

Picks: 2-4-1-5

H	Horse	Comment
1	HERES MY TICKET	Making her third start off the layoff and her last was a much improved effort. She seems to be trending the right way.
2	JOYFULJOY N	See how Cuz She Can raced in the 9th, this mare comes out of that race. Toss out the race from post 8, she has a shot.
3	PERSUASIVE HANOVER	Been showing some good speed on the half at Yonkers. Does she have the stamina for the long M1 stretch?
4	HOSTESS LISA	Appears that the addition of Lasix has helped. This filly, formerly from the Midwest could be rounding back to form.
5	LOVE YOU BYE	Finished behind a mare that is pretty sharp right now. Gets an ideal post and could be able to find his way into this.
6	PAY TRIBUTE	Beaten off the layoff by a mare that had been no better than 5th in her last 3 starts. She could improve 2nd race off the bench.
7	TYKESA MOON	Added Lasix but still wasn’t able to handle ‘Lisa. Plenty of back class here and has by far the most earnings this year.
8	ELLEOFNXAMPLE	Coming off a four week layoff, but raced well last time. Miller will have to work out a trip. Adds value to the mix.
9	HANNAH ISABEL	Exits the same race as #2, so see that note. She has slid down the class ladder quite a bit and is slowly improving.
10	CARAMEL CHINNO	Not sure those optional $15k claimers stack up well against this field. Has speed, so might be a pace factor.

12

Twelfth Race

Picks: 8-6-7-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	WILDSVILLE	Looks like one of the major contenders here, despite the 3 weeks off. Defeated a last out winner in his last start. Contender.
2	CAMBASSADOR	Steps back up off the claim, but he just hasn’t been racing well at this level lately. Need to see a start here first.
3	BIG TEN CHAMP	Another stepping up, this one off a win. Last couple of tries at this level have not been good. Watching this time.
4	STORMIN RUSTLER	Finished 2nd at this level at Freehold, but historically the move here is a step up. Expecting that he needs more.
5	BULLVILLE PLAYER	Exits a similar race to ‘Rustler, but his was a slower heat. Have similar feelings regarding his chances here.
6	DAVE PANLONE	Just had far too much to do from a wide draw last time. This horse is sharp right now and looms a major player in here.
7	MANOFLEISURESUIT	Exits the same race as ‘Dave and these two horses are pretty comparable. Shop for the best value. Contender.
8	LADY’S BAG MAN	Winner from 3 starts back adds Lasix for the first time which could be the x-factor here. Worth a second look now.
9	NF INDEPENDENCE	He is sliding down the class ladder, but his form has been rather dull and I would rather take a sharp horse here.
10	RADAR INSTALLED N	Seems to be on the slow and steady improve, but this post could compromise his chances. Needs a trip.