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Handicapping

Week Of 3/3 - 3/9
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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, March 08, 2013

1

First Race

Picks: 3-7-4-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	JEDRIK HANOVER	He is hit or miss and now gets Tetrick. He is a strange horse to handle due to his gait. I don’t like the draw from there.
2	BLOOMFIELDCANTIFLY	Gets some class relief here and moves back inside. Will that be enough to make him a contender? Maybe.
3	MISS LEE	She looks like a player here. Pierce’s choice and moves inside from post 10 as well. Second race back off the layoff. Player.
4	CAMERON CHIP	I think she is starting to come around. Drops in class as well. Could work out a nice trip from here. One of the players.
5	OUTLAW	He has been facing better lately and is another candidate to improve in this spot. Has trotted some quick miles in the recent past.
6	MAEVEY GRAVY	Mare had a nice season last year and she enters this off a pair of qualifiers that tell me she might need a start first.
7	GAELIC AND GARLIC	Gelding is eventually going to find a spot that he is going to wake up in. There is some ability in this corner.
8	MCATTEE	Shows a good race back in January, but his recent form is suspect. Has speed, but I need to see some improvement.
9	MELADY’S MONET	Good qualifiers mark the start to his four year old campaign. Likely needs a start so I will be watching this time around.

2

Second Race

Picks: 4-1-3-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	MYSTICAL VICTRESS	Continues to race well recently and a win is coming in the near future. Catches a short field and will be tough.
2	N Y YANKEES	Good effort in her last start here. Catches a shorter field and she can really roll late. Mare likes to win, too. Contender.
3	SOUTHWIND JAZMIN	Exiting some good races at Dover and has raced well in her past two starts. Looks like the one to beat in here.
4	SHINE N SHIMMER	Exiting the same races as Southwind Jazmin so, if you like one you have to like the other. Another major player.
5	CHIEF KAREN	Coming from some tough races at Yonkers and does show a win in the Open at Yonkers. Recent form is suspect. Tricky.
6	MOJARRA HANOVER	I believe the straight A-2 is a bit too high for this mare. Needs a perfect trip or a bit softer for her to contend here.
7	DOCDOR LIBBY	Stepping up off a win back to a level that proved to be too much two starts back. Needs to step things up here.

3

Third Race

Picks: 2-6-7-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	GORDYYY’S PET	Stepping up off a win but loses Tetrick. Will offer a much better price this time but this spot has been too tough before.
2	JK FINE ART	Locked in as the favorite last time and seemed to have some pace. She should be tough right back in this spot. Contender.
3	SANGAAL	Wasn’t as good in her most recent start and perhaps this level is just going to be too much for her. Need to see more now.
4	ELLEOFNXAMPLE	Miller chooses off and she is coming off a couple of dull tries on paper. That said, I think there is more in the tank.
5	HULA’S Z TAM	Just 1 for her last 25 which is problematic. Draws well and her effort at this level was decent. Need to see more to win.
6	ANGELWITHNATTITUDE	No chance last time from post 10. She has speed and I think Callahan will utilize it here. Looms a player.
7	CLEAR VIEW HANOVER	Getting some class relief and is more likely to be racing off the pace tonight. I expect improvement here.
8	SWEET HEDGE	Just 2 for 26 the last 2 years and her last start at this level was a tough trip. She was a beaten favorite as well.

4

Fourth Race

Picks: 3-2-4-8

H	Horse	Comment
1	FOUNTAINBLEAU VOLO	Miller opts off following another dull effort. He is a long way from his best form last year. Talent is still there.
2	WHEELS	Came from a tough spot last time and was finishing with interest. This is Callahan’s choice and he figures to be closer.
3	HOBOKEN SONNY	Moved to the lead and just got tired last time. That could tighten him up for this and I bet he will be better. Player.
4	ZUMBA MOUSE	Moves back up off the win, but this level was too much for her last time. She has been hit or miss lately. Tough call.
5	WESTSIDE LINDY	Drops out of the Horse and Groom series and figures to be tough in this spot. Not the best win record in his career.
6	WORLD CUP	Makes his first start back off the layoff and he was hitting his best stride at the end of the year. Qualifier was ok. Maybe.
7	IN NOMINE PATRI	I just don’t see him carrying his speed as far as he will have to this time around. Field is tougher. Difficult task.
8	FOOL’S REVENUE	Came from far back to score last time with an impressive rally. Bumped up in class now and will need even more.
9	BANK PRESIDENT	Qualifier was not very sharp and it appears as though he is going to need this start off the layoff and sick scratch.

5

Fifth Race

Picks: 8-2-1-5

H	Horse	Comment
1	CRAZY EIGHTS	Recent form remains solid and she seemed to have good pace on both ends of the mile. Moves inside. Things to like.
2	JK LETITGO	Got the first start of her season under her belt. Now moves from post 10 inside to post 2 and figures to be much better.
3	O NARUTAC ROCKETTE	Three year old tackling older in her first start of the year. Granted, she faced some tough fillies. Needs a start.
4	ZIP IT LOCK IT	She was much better last time at Yonkers, but it wasn’t enough to lure Campbell in her corner. Watching for improvement.
5	CHEYENNE MIRIAM	She was not as visually impressive last time, but she still got the job done. Faces similar and is the horse to beat.
6	IDEAL PORTRAIT	Just has not been a factor in her most recent starts and is just 1 for 10 lifetime. Need to see some improvement.
7	IDEAL GINNY	Her form has gone in the wrong direction as this level has gotten tougher. I don’t see a great turnaround coming here.
8	MS CAILA J FRA	She raced much better last time and flew home in sub-27. She should only be better tonight. Major threat this time.
9	THE REAL TONE	Form was not good at Yonkers and that qualifier doesn’t jump off the page either. Looks like a longshot in here.
10	PURA VIDA	Her last start was better, but she is now 0 for 7 lifetime and this post is not going to help here. Retains longshot status.

6

Sixth Race

Picks: 2-1-8-6

H	Horse	Comment
1	DW’S NY YANK	Gingras chooses off one Burke trotter for another. Still, this horse is on some roll. Miller gets a sharp horse! Contender.
2	MODERN FAMILY	Could he have looked any better last week? The short answer is no. Off that mile, I make him the one to beat here.
3	BROADWAY ROCKS	Towed along for a piece in Round 1. This is not going to be any easier and he appears up against it again.
4	HARBOR POINT	Continues to struggle and he just has not turned into the trotter I thought he would be. Retains longshot status.
5	MOHEGAN HANOVER	Keeps earning checks, but that win is becoming overdue. That said, I think it is out of reach here. Fringe player.
6	ENRICO AS	Beaten as the favorite last time, but still he raced well. Likely works out a good trip here behind Mohegan. Things to like.
7	NOT AFRAID	He actually raced really well last week, finishing second to a well-meant winner. That said, I can’t see him winning this.
8	QUICK DEAL	Made up a ton of ground after the break just to get back in the race. If he stays trotting he will be awfully dangerous.
9	NO LESS THAN MAGIC	Was just even last time and I think he is a cut below the best in here. Outside post will not help either.

7

Seventh Race

Picks: 3-6-9-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	DE VINS GIRL	Stepping up off a win into a level that was too tough for her earlier. Draws inside and hopes to tow along for a piece.
2	LIZZIE’S DREAM	She has done a good job of picking up checks, but her win seems like a long time ago. Best used underneath again.
3	SIR LB’S Z TAM	Making her second start back off the layoff, so she figures to be better here. Lachance’s horses have been pretty good.
4	DAY TO PONDER	Gets a slight move down to this handicap. Again, the Woodbine shippers have been spotty at best. I need to see more.
5	VY HANOVER	Tough to gauge this mare. First effort of the season appeared to be one she could build on. Then she broke. Tough call.
6	KALUA KILLEAN	Just 1 for 24 last year and is coming off a decent qualifier. Ignore these connections at your own risk, though.
7	LET’S GO HIGHER	This is Callahan’s choice but I just have not been overly impressed by her recent efforts. Needs a live flow to follow.
8	SMOKE PAN MIRRORS	Another hit or miss type. Her race will depend on the trip she gets. Tetrick does choose off, though. Tough call.
9	STAR KEEPER	Continues to race well but is now just 1 for her last 24. Has the speed to overcome the draw. Takes play again.

8

Eigth Race

Picks: 7-6-9-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	THE CHANCELLOR	Appears to be in too tough at this spot. Loomed up last time three wide, but then faltered. Needs absolute best.
2	UPFRONT BILLY	Steps up off a win as the favorite. Now, this will be even tougher. Still, this horse may just be this good. Don’t ignore.
3	WALDORF HALL	Continues to race well against similar and although this came up a little tougher, I would continue to use him in gimmicks.
4	ZUEREST	His speed makes him a pace factor every time out, but I am not sure that he can carry his speed all the way in this field.
5	PERFECT PICTURE	Mare has been racing in some tough spots at Yonkers. This race is equally as, if not, more difficult. Needs best.
6	SPICE IT UP LINDY	I suppose this is a drop and this gelding gets away from Sevruga. So do others in here. Not without a chance again.
7	OPENING NIGHT	He is starting to come together and I think he might be sitting on his best effort of the year. Appears a major threat.
8	MUGSHOT JESS	Nice win last time and now moves up the ladder. He has tactical speed and should be considered a player again.
9	ICE MACHINE	Catches the worst of the draw and Callahan has to be careful with him. That said, he almost beat Sevruga last time out.

9

Ninth Race

Picks: 1-3-4-7

H	Horse	Comment
1	CINDEROSA	See how the 3rd place finisher from that qualifier fared earlier in the card. Off this layoff, she may need one, but I still like.
2	LOOK ANNIE HALL	Her two starts this year just do not appeal to me at this point. Draws inside, but I need to see more from this mare.
3	IDEAL IN VEGAS	Exits the same qualifier as Cinderosa, so again, make sure to tab that 3rd place finisher. Things to like from this mare.
4	ROCK ANN ROLLING	The addition of Lasix and the drop in class just has not helped thus far. A wakeup could be coming soon though.
5	RAIDERS FAVORITE	This is a tougher spot than what she has been facing. She hasn’t been tearing it up at Fhld, either. Needs more.
6	AMERICAN HILL	Similar thoughts to this mare as to ‘Raiders. She is coming off a sick scratch as well. Looks like a longshot.
7	DAY BLUE CHIP	Returned with a win, but now moves to the classified system. Still, she is sharper than most of these. Tetrick’s choice.
8	WHIRLWIND	Pretty standard qualifier at Monti, pulling pocket to win. Shows some good races at Woodbine. Budd shippers off slowly.
9	HERE AGAIN	Don’t like the move here from nw2 to this level. Raced well against Day Blue Chip, but I suspect this is too tough.

10

Tenth Race

Picks: 6-9-2-7

H	Horse	Comment
1	DOUBLE UP HANOVER	Gelding has gotten himself on quite a win streak and he is staying flat. Still, Campbell chose off. Interesting.
2	IL MAGO	This is a move down in class and he has been facing better. Worth noting that he won the last time facing a similar group.
3	PEMBROKE HEAT WAVE	She had to need that last start and some improvement is to be expected. Tetrick did go elsewhere though.
4	BAMBINO HALL	See if the Allard barn has remained hot off Saturday’s three wins. This gelding has a sneaky feel to me. Like his races.
5	LEXIS AMIGO	When he got out last week he was flat out motoring, but in deep stretch Campbell had to hold him together. Must stay flat!
6	TSMLIL ORPHAN ANDY	Gelding continues to race well and see how the winner from his last start did earlier. Likely needs to step it up.
7	MY LEAP OF FAITH	Not a bad try from post 10 last time and Tetrick does land here. Only needs to find the right kind of setup again.
8	WHATA WINNER	Exiting some pretty tough races at Yonkers and his last try was pretty good. Needs the right kind of trip though.
9	TOP BILLING	Just had too much to do last time. This horse has a lot of ability and if Andy keeps him close, he will be very, very tough.

11

Eleventh Race

Picks: 1-9-8-7

H	Horse	Comment
1	SIR JILLIAN Z TAM	Nice rally last time and this time Lachance will handle this mare himself. A major threat with a live outer flow to follow.
2	HARPER LEE	Veteran comes back from Chicago, but her recent form has been mixed. I will watch her first start over the track.
3	MISS SAND CREEK	Nice effort last time, but this is a bit of a move up the class ladder. I suspect she will need even more now.
4	LOVE YOU BYE	Is this level too tough for her? You know Gingras is going to stick, but I think Ramona has a better shot in this group.
5	NUTMEGS YANKEE	That was a sneaky mile she is coming out of. With her speed and this post improvement, she would not shock me.
6	ASSET MANAGEMENT	Liked her last week off her troubled trip and she offered no pop. Would like to see her come from off the pace.
7	LEXUS ARTIST	She has been OK lately and it doesn’t appear that this level is out of her reach. Needs just a bit more to break through.
8	RAMONA DISOMMA	Loses Gingras, but this class drop is dangerous. If Callahan finds a live outer flow, she will be motoring late.
9	GORDYS FILLY YENTA	Stepping up a bit off that last win. Now gets Tetrick as well. That change will attract some betting dollars too.
10	DRAGON PRINCESS	She hasn’t been bad, but not great either. Usually this mare needs everything to go her way in order to win.