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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 Saturday, March 09, 2013

1

First Race

Picks: 3-4-5-1

H	Horse	Comment
1	ARC DE TRIUMPH	Dominant winner last time. While on paper, this is a class jump, this field is not much tougher than the last he faced.
2	VETO HANOVER	Looks like the longshot of this group despite fitting this field by $798. At least makes starts in 2 consecutive weeks.
3	CYCLONE ARTIST	This is a move down from a C-1 classified race. He shows a couple of decent lines at this level. Looms a contender.
4	SKY IS THE LIMIT	Big effort last time. Worth noting the runner-up drifted in the stretch, though. Still, this colt has talent. Repeat threat.
5	I DO HANOVER	Similar drop in class to ‘Cyclone, but form looks a little better on paper. Note that he shows a win at this level earlier.
6	PEMBROKE ALEC BUSH	Nothing wrong with that last effort from post 8 at Yonkers. That said, I need to see a start here first.
7	DON’T YA KNOW	Not sure what to make of that qualifier as he only came home in 30.1. Sire stakes placed 3YO may need a start.

2

Second Race

Picks: 4-3-5-2

H	Horse	Comment
1	IN COMMANDO	Despite kicking home in 26.4 in Round 1, he was never a factor. Looks to lay close and tow along in this spot.
2	YO CHEYENNE ROCKY	Similar thoughts to In Commando in this group. Seems a few notches below the top ones. Battles for 4th here.
3	ESCAPE THE NEWS	I was very surprised that he was favored over ‘Needy. That was a good race, but I just think his foe is better.
4	WARRAWEE NEEDY	Hard to envision a more impressive return to the races. Plus, he scared them all away in Round 2! One to beat.
5	BAKIN ON THE BEACH	Campbell was smart with him. Sat in, saved ground and made one last quarter burst. Looks like he is 3rd best.

3

Third Race

Picks: 1-5-2-4

H	Horse	Comment
1	RAZZLE DAZZLE	Very impressive looking qualifier and he beat some nice horses there, too. He’s best, but others have a seasoning edge.
2	RIVER SHARK	Just 1 for 8 on the year and I thought he hung a little in his last start. I think he will need a perfect trip to win this event.
3	CODE WORD	Back to back wins, but things get a whole lot tougher here. He is a very nice horse, but I think this might be too tough.
4	VERSADO	He has become an all or nothing type so far this year. Won a leg of The Presidential. He is one of several win candidates.
5	ROCKIN THE HOUSE	Speaking of win candidates, this gelding was big last time in a similar spot. His speed makes him dangerous.
6	STOLEN CAR	He blew past Versado in that last start. Off a couple of weeks, but if he was able to beat Versado, I guess he fits here?

4

Fourth Race

Picks: 10-3-1-4

H	Horse	Comment
1	MILLENIUM WHEEL	Raced OK to dead heat for 2nd last time out. Slow starter at the pylons is not my favorite spot. Using underneath.
2	TWINCREEKS JESSE	I think he is exiting a very good qualifier as I am high on the winner, who he faces here. I will be using in all slots.
3	ROCK ICON	Drops out of the Trendsetter where he had NO chance in the final. This is a much cozier spot and he figures to be tough.
4	OUTWARD BOUND	That 1 for 15 mark doesn’t thrill me and he isn’t coming off the fastest of qualifiers. Was favored in his last start here.
5	BUY AMERICAN	Got his first lifetime start under his belt, so improvement is expected. Showed some late interest last time. Deep exotics.
6	DHARMA INITIATIVE	Along with ‘Millenium, he chased a well-meant winner last time, who is in race 1 tonight. An exotics player again.
7	LONG FIGHT HANOVER	Made a bold three wide move on the turn before tiring. Has ability, but I am still waiting for a catch driver.
8	HYDRUSKO	Those are a couple of difficult trips he is coming off of, and I would like to see what this gelding can do with a smooth journey.
9	SCOFANMAN	Neither start here as sparked my interest and he draws outside without any speed. Looks like a longshot worth passing on.
10	OLDE TIME HOCKEY	Watch his qualifier, it is hard not to be impressed by it. I expect him to overcome the post and be a major factor.

5

Fifth Race

Picks: 8-2-1-6

H	Horse	Comment
1	MORGAN SHARK	Another that Burke has in peak form. Handles the big track without trouble. Moves up a touch here. Tough favorite.
2	WESTERN TSUNAMI	Moving down in class and if he hasn’t tailed off too badly, he can bounce back here. Looms a win contender.
3	MONTREAL PHIL	Those wins from post 1 with a pocket trip at Yonkers don’t thrill me. I guess he can win this, but I am leaning elsewhere.
4	FOREVER JUST	This was a nice three year old last season. See how Razzle Dazzle did earlier. Adds Lasix for this. Interesting player.
5	THAT’S JUSTICE	Has been off several weeks and I think it would take a perfect trip for him to contend in this group. Watching this time.
6	HIGH NOON	He continues to show sneaky late pace at the end of his miles. Miller opts off, but one night he is going to jump up and win.
7	ON THE RADAR	No chance last time so toss that race out. Prior effort was not bad at all. He is a player to hit the ticket at a decent price.
8	D GS WOODSTOCK	Hard to argue with his current form and this draw is not a problem with his speed. The class hike is the only question.

6

Sixth Race

Picks: 1-2-4-5

H	Horse	Comment
1	SCOTTY MACH N	If DGs Woodstock beat the B-1’s in the 5th, then this guy is close to a lock. I like him either way. Let’s see speed here!
2	GET IT NOW	This move from that Survivor Series is tough to gauge. It was a $15k claimer, but the winner is better than that. He fits here.
3	OUREA NOURRIR	Stepping up off a win and everyone is going to see this barn change. Tote board will tell the tale. If bet, then use him.
4	RECENT NEWS	Showed a new dimension of speed last time and perhaps he is just sharp right now. Still, like him better from off the pace.
5	DR C’S Z TAM	Another of the Lachance Z Tam’s that is showing acceleration in the stretch. Just has to stay close to these early in the mile.
6	ASTOR	I really do not know where that effort came from. I didn’t have him at 16-1 and I will not take anything shorter on the move up here.
7	EASTEND EDDIE	Yes, he raced better last time and he is starting to improve. But I am still not sold on the win. Inclined to use underneath.
8	SOUTHERN SPORT	Drop and pop winner last time and that 5-1 was a steal. Now it’s back up the ladder. I will watch this time around.

7

Seventh Race

Picks: 3-5-7-6

H	Horse	Comment
1	ODIN BLUE CHIP	I think this is a slight move up. Oscar Oscar dropped from a B-1 and raced great vs. $20k claimers. New barn too. Tricky.
2	LIVE ON	Scored for us last week with a big effort. Now in his third start off the layoff and I don’t see why he can take another step forward.
3	THE POKESTER	So conflicted on this morning line. Race is so tough, but if you watch his stretch drive last week, you have to bet him now!
4	OSCAR OSCAR	I was shocked how much money he took last week, and he almost wired them. Back to the B-1. Tote board is your guide.
5	SIR ZIGGY’S Z TAM	Speaking of Lachance horses motoring late, here is another. Only needs to stay close with a trip. Contender.
6	MUSSELSFRMBRUSSELS	The wild card to the race as he is dropping, adding Lasix and barn won 3 on Saturday. Lots of angles here.
7	OUTRAGEOUS ART	Perfect 3 for 3 with Burke, which means automatically he needs to be included in all wagers. Contention runs deep.
8	PEMBROKE DEWEY	Do yourself a favor, buy this race in the pick 4 with the ALL button. I guess this is the longest shot? And he can win!

8

Eigth Race

Picks: 7-4-2-3

H	Horse	Comment
1	AREZZO HANOVER	Stayed flat last week, so that is a plus. I don’t like the pole for horses that have problems breaking though. Tough call.
2	LONG LIVE ROCK	Just had too much to do last week. Still, I did like how he finished. Dauplaise can sit close and tow along for a share.
3	ALEX BULLVILLE	I really don’t think the race he is coming out of was that strong. But if Astor raced well earlier, then I am wrong. Tricky.
4	PICTURE ME	Nothing wrong with either of his last two starts and he just missed last time. Interesting they make a change to Tetrick here.
5	THANKS FOR STOPPIN	Steps up off a win, but he was pretty well overmatched at this level earlier. Will need to go faster in this spot.
6	BELL’S PANACEA	Another that is stepping up off a win. Note, he finished 3rd against better here on 2/2. Might add value to exotics.
7	AMERICAN GI	Here is my pick. He had a nightmare trip last week. He is much better than that. Third start back. All systems go now!
8	HURRIKANE JON PAUL	Finished up that last mile at Yonkers nicely. Missed all of 2012. Will need a live outer flow to track here.
9	CASIMIR CAMOTION	He appears to have tailed off and now he catches the widest post without any speed. Appears up against it.

9

Ninth Race

Picks: 2-1-3-7

H	Horse	Comment
1	SEEK THE DRAGON	That last mile was just not going to work. He had no chance, so toss it. Nice win two back. He can bounce back here.
2	TERROR HIGH	Looms the one to beat dropping out of the Trendsetter. Resistance Futile and Axiom Hanover would be 1/9 in here. Tough.
3	ALWAYS THERE	Beaten favorite last time following what was a very tough trip. Colt may have taken a lot out of that mile. Contender.
4	FOX VALLEY LEO	Has not factored in any of his starts since arriving from Yonkers. He did show improved speed last time. Improves.
5	CRITICIAL ACCLAIM	Just cannot seem to keep up at either ends of the mile right now. He is a toss out until he shows improvement.
6	A LIST	His last two tries here were decent and he raced better at Yonkers. Still, I am not sold on him as a win contender in this spot.
7	STALLONE BLUE CHIP	He continues to drift in the stretch and that will repeatedly cost him wins. Still, he must be included in gimmicks.
8	BEACHFRONT	Trendsetter was too much for him. That said, how is he supposed to beat Terror High? Looks like a fringe player at best.
9	ERES TU	Nice win. That was a tiring sloppy track. Still, he will need to go much faster here. I am not sold on the repeat just yet here.
10	WHAT’S THE STORY	Last three starts are decent enough. Lachance will have to at the very least float away from this post. Tricky.

10

Tenth Race

Picks: 3-1-6-10

H	Horse	Comment
1	ANDY BARAN	Just could not get involved from a tough spot last time. He is better than that. Dauplaise will try to stay closer from here.
2	TUG RIVER CLAUDE	I would say he has been facing better than this group as a whole. Still has made his living on smaller tracks. Tricky.
3	A PLACE IN HISTORY	Deserves to take money off that last effort. Had the kind of pace that warrants a “bet-back” when next seen.
4	PRINCE SHARKA	Just didn’t offer any pop in the lane last time. Now just 2 for his last 40 and I will be looking elsewhere for the win.
5	NOBLE’S GRAND SLAM	Showed a little late interest last time, but they didn’t exactly fly home. Deepest of exotic tickets only.
6	DOOMSDAY HANOVER	Toss out that last mile and he fits here. Prior efforts were Ok at this level and he has a win this year, too. Using.
7	RELENTLESS DREAMER	He seems to be rounding back into form. But, whether he is ready to break through and win is another story.
8	DJ LANCE	Did not factor last time and he is another example of Woodbine shippers not faring well here. The racing is much different here.
9	DIGITAL Z TAM	Gets a move down the ladder so that needs to be given attention. Still, he is just 1 for his last 41. Not using on top here.
10	FREDDY DAY HANOVER	Typically, this is the spot that he drops and pops in. I don’t like the post, and there is another horse I like more.

11

Eleventh Race

Picks: 4-2-6-7

H	Horse	Comment
1	UNION MAN HANOVER	Interesting that he wasn’t seen after that qualifier in August when adding Lasix. Two qualifiers here. Using a bit.
2	GAMBLER’S TALE	Gelding has gotten on a nice little streak here. Moves from post 12 to the 2-hole. This will be a bit tougher. Player.
3	TOUCH AND GO	Shows a win over $25,000 claimers here, which is tougher than this. He must stay closer from here to contend.
4	MYSTERIOUS MOMENT	Moves up off a win after showing good speed on both ends of the mile. Has to be considered a factor again.
5	GAELIC THUNDER	Coming off a race that he slowed to a near walk and a sick scratch. That is tough to endorse in this spot.
6	BETTOR WIN	Found this level to be too much last time. This field is a little softer though. I might give him a second look in here.
7	POWER OF A MOMENT	Making his 2nd start back off the layoff for a top barn. That’s always a dangerous angle. Worth including at a price.
8	COLD BATH	Didn’t take to this B-2 level last time. Was given a week off the claim. Wonder if we’ll see some equipment changes here.

12

Twelfth Race

Picks: 7-3-9-5

H	Horse	Comment
1	SCOTTIE C	I would call him very sharp. He will have to be hustled off the gate from this one hole. Must take to the longer stretch. Player.
2	IN MINT CONDITION	That last mile was a complete no chance mile. Why was he so bad off the gate though? I would tread lightly here.
3	GO GO RAIDER	Interesting to see him move back to the claimer after putting up a solid last quarter last time out. Has more to offer.
4	MACHAL ANGELO	Making his second start back off the layoff, so he figures to improve. Still not sold on many of these Canadian shippers.
5	WALL E	Must have needed that first start off the layoff behind a well backed winner. He should be better here. One of the major players.
6	MAJOR WORK OF ART	Just 2 for his last 35 starts. I like the post and he should be able to work out a trip. Not sure if he is good enough.
7	STORMIN RUSTLER	Shows a couple of decent lines in the Survivor Series which was a little better than this field. Last mile was sneaky.
8	AB’S ATTACK	Form in New York just doesn’t look like it will transfer to a win here. Needs to step up his game to contend here.
9	VEAL MARSALA	Bet like a good thing last time and the public was right. Back in the same level and must be considered a factor again.
10	WESTERN TRADEMARK	Never really got involved last time, making just a belated rally. Now draws the far outside. Leaning elsewhere.

13

Thirteenth Race

Picks: 6-4-1-10

H	Horse	Comment
1	PALM’S BEACH	Raced much better last time on the move inside. I expect to see speed from him once again. Looms a danger here.
2	GRACIE’S BOY	Seems to do his best racing on the smaller ovals and this is a move up the ladder. Not sold on a win in this spot.
3	DUTCH RICHMAN	Yet to be any kind of a factor this year. Post improvement, but that’s about the only angle. Passing once again.
4	STRIPE’N STAR	Gets some class relief here and he just might be faster than the rest of the field right now. Expected to take play.
5	DANA’S SHARP SMART	Has not won in the last two years and is making a lateral move here. Shows a decent race at the C-1 level.
6	MR COOLIE	Woke up a bit last time with a much better effort and this horse has a ton of back class. He might be the play for me in here.
7	LITTLE PRINCE	The winner of his start is racing earlier in the card, so take note of that. Freehold lines are decent. Longshot player.
8	SIR MELO’S Z TAM	He is a total wild card in here with this double move down in class. It’s hard to gauge if he will jump up here. Tricky.
9	KISS MY ART	Coming off a sick scratch in a race where he would have been a factor. Has the speed to overcome this post. Contender.
10	THREE ARTIST	I am going to forgive that break from post one and suggest using him here. I expect to see speed tonight. Possibility.