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SPOT PLAYS

For Friday

Arlington Park (2nd) Phantom Star, 3-1
(8th) Piano Magic, 8-1
Belmont Park (1st) Centrina, 7-2
(6th) Buddys Dream, 5-1
Calder Race Course (9th) Lady Carlotta, 8-1
(11th) Crown Glory, 4-1
Canterbury Park (5th) Somerset Ballerina, 3-1
(7th) King Caden, 8-1
Charles Town (3rd) Royal Danger, 8-1
(7th) At the Fence, 9-2
Emerald Downs (2nd) Boise Creek, 4-1
(7th) Cliff's Secret, 3-1
Evangeline Downs (3rd) My Bell Boy, 6-1
(10th) New Broom, 5-1
Finger Lakes (1st) Pegasus Smile, 3-1
(3rd) Frankies Dream, 4-1
Hastings Park (5th) La Noria, 7-2
(8th) Alitax, 3-1
Hollywood Park (2nd) Cool Haleigh, 7-2
(5th) Toro Bonito, 9-2
Indiana Downs (1st) Lion Tryst, 3-1
(10th) Nola Star, 4-1
Lone Star Park (3rd) Royal Ago, 10-1
(9th) Gravity Storm, 3-1
Louisiana Downs (5th) High Heeled Kitty, 7-2
(7th) Topventure's Dream, 5-1
Monmouth Park (8th) Bai Bai Dubai, 6-1
(12th) Lady Symphony, 8-1
Mountaineer (7th) Stormin' Cathy, 6-1
(10th) Dixie Decision, 4-1
Northlands (4th) Brooklyn Grace, 5-1
(8th) Excursion, 10-1
Penn National (3rd) Fudge the Books, 7-2
(6th) Let the Bells Ring, 8-1
Philadelphia Park (3rd) Forest King, 9-2
(4th) Change My Number, 9-2
Pleasanton (3rd) Tripp to Glory, 7-2
(9th) Our Stardust, 4-1
Prairie Meadows (2nd) Chyna Alise, 3-1
(5th) Soft Purr, 4-1
Presque Isle Downs (3rd) Shimmery, 4-1
(8th) Musicsetsmefree, 4-1
River Downs (8th) Roxy Lady, 10-1
(14th) Vision of Honor, 3-1
Thistledown (3rd) Moody Bruce, 5-1
(7th) Hero of the North, 6-1
Woodbine (5th) Spoonful, 10-1
(9th) Silver Bag, 3-1

Courtesy of Mike Dempsey

Here is the opening race from Belmont Park to get our day off to a good start:

BEL Race 1 Clm $25,000B (1:00 ET)

#5 Shehashighhopes 3/1
#6 Centrina 7/2
#2 No Rhyme Or Reason 5/1
#4 Exiled Princess 8/5

Analysis: #5 Shehashighhopes came up short last out against $35K non winners of three over ground labeled as good, checking in fifth behind repeat winner Smart Woman, who beat $50K starter allowance company on June 30. Two back in her local debut she had to steady and alter course to the outside in midstretch and finished up well for third. She has landed in the exacta in 5 of 8 starts on turf and just needs a clean trip to beat this group.

#6 Centrina was caught out very wide turning for home and picked up some ground to finish third, beaten a length for the top spot. She picked up her first turn win for a $16K tag facing non winners of two back in April. Her last two efforts are good enough to be in the mix here.

Wagering

WIN: #5 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 5,6 / 2,4,5,6
TRI: 5,6 / 2,4,5,6 / 2,4,5,6,7

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 8 OClm $75,000N3X (4:45 ET)

#6 Heaven's Voice 10/1
#2 Sneaky Girl 8/5
#3 Powder Princess 2/1
#5 Ocarson 7/2

Analysis: #6 Heaven's Voice ships in from Maryland for a sharp outfit. The filly tries going lone last out in MD bred stakes company, opening up a clear lead and weakening to finish third. She rolled over Alw-2 optional claimers two back going 4 1/2 furlongs at Chuck Town. She seldom runs a bad one and popped a couple of bullet drills at Bowie that should have her tight enough for the cut back in distance. The barn is 27% winners moving runners from route to sprint.

#2 Sneaky Girl was off a step slow and made a mild late run to finish in the runner up spot last out at 9/1 in a good effort. The mare has now landed in the exacta in 7 of 9 trips over the surface. With RRod doing the saddling, we won't see 9/1 again here.

Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 5/1 or better.
EX: 2,6 / 2,3,6
TRI: 2,6 / 2,3,6 / 2,3,5,6

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Monmouth Park:

MTH Race 9 Clm $25,000 (6:00 ET)

#2 Marquet Cat 4/1
#5 Stormy Mirage 5/2
#1 Maddy's Crowd 7/2
#6 Uffizi 9/2

Analysis: #2 Marquet Cat set the early fractions and weakened to finish sixth last out for this tag in his first go off a seven week break. Two back this guy was a smart looking winner at Tampa Bay Downs versus $16K starter allowance company. The gelding was claimed out of his last start by the Galluscio barn that is 26% winners (with a +ROI) first off the claim. I like the jock switch here to Lopez.

#5 Stormy Mirage beat Alw-1 foes last out in his first trip over the weeds here. The effort was flattered when the runner up Gator Tiger returned to beat Alw-1 company in his next start on July 3. Bravo was also aboard our third choice in here and sticks here.

Wagering

WIN: #2 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 2,5 / 1,2,5,6
TRI: 2,5 / 1,2,5,6 / 1,2,5,6,7

Live Longshots:

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Monouth Park

R2: #9 Gaelic Journey 8/1
R3: #2 Chocolate Blush 15/1
R4: #2 Fancy Up 8/1
R8: #4 Hammering Buckeye 10/1
R8: #8 Rayburn’s Gold 8/1
R10: #4 Reprieve 8/1
R12: #5 Beat the Blues 8/1
R12: #8 Lady Symphony 8/1

Good luck today!

Belmont 8th courtesy of John Pricci

Ocarson Just Loves the Road

Today’s sprint feature at Belmont Park is a “3 other/than optional claimer” for fillies and mares three year olds and up.

The favorite undoubtedly will be a tough out. By definition, Sneaky Girl (8-5) is consistently the fastest filly on performance figures.

Her game moved up big time since being claimed into the barn of Rudy Rodriquez. Her second to Qualia, who was beaten a nose in the G1 Prioress last weekend, shines like a beacon.

By the same token, Ocarson (7-2) is difficult to knock. Her figures are competitive with the favorites on her best go, and it doesn’t matter whether she’s racing at Monmouth, Philly Park, Aqueduct or Penn National, she’s going to try her best.

Her outside post and tactical speed in a virtually paceless matchup suits the race shape here. Ramon is aboard, she has developmental upside, and Robert Reid is in the midst of a career year, 28 percent effective and profitable. Her spacing is excellent.

Taking Ocarson to win at 5-2 or greater and boxing her in the exacta with Sneaky Girl.

Courtesy of Warren Eves

3rd Monmouth Park # 7 Debonair Darling (4-1) is working her way up to her best. Last time she entered first turn second. Carlos Marquez kept her well out from the rail as she made her way down the backstretch. Debonair Darling drifted out to the top and she made steady late progress.

MTH 9th (6:00)

1 1/16 Miles (Turf) | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Claiming ($25,000 - $20,000) | Purse: $44,000

Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Maddy's Crowd Coa E M Hills Timothy A 119 $25,000 L 7-2
2 2 Marquet Cat Lopez C C Galluscio Dominic G 119 $25,000 L 4-1
3 3 Fagedaboudit Sal Trujillo E Plesa Edward Jr 119 $25,000 L 8-1
4 4 Spicy Dubai Hernandez B J Jr Matz Michael R 119 $25,000 L 6-1
5 5 Stormy Mirage Bravo J Iwinski Allen 121 $25,000 L 5-2
6 6 Uffizi Lopez P Dibona Robert S 119 $25,000 L 9-2
7 7 Espinosa (GB) Valdivia J Jr Manning Dennis J 119 $25,000 L 10-1
8 8 Haddenfield Cartwright A Nunn David 110 7 $20,000 L 30-1
9 9 Flirting for Love Gomez G K Shuman Mark 117 $20,000 L 15-1

Win, Place and Show Exacta, Trifecta and 10-Cent Superfecta Daily Double (Races 9-10)/Pick 4 (Races 9-10-11-12)

Battagliaspicks 6-5-4

#6 Uffizi- todays best bet was checked and blocked and was beaten only 2 lengths but was much the best last out. He can beat this level every time and will prove it today.

Belmont courtesy of Safestwager

Doubles, Pick 3's, Pick 4:
Race 6) 2/6 (If a scratch, add #7)
Race 7) 1/4/6 (If a scrach, add #3)
Race 8) 3/5/6 (If a scratch, add #2)
Race 9) 2/4/5/7 (If a scratch, add #3)

Race 6) 1 Mile Clm 10,000N2L

#6 A Saint Among Us*
Even though she lacked the breeding, connections tried this filly
on turf in last to see if she would improve....... she didn't.
In prior, she was visually impressive beating Md 35k's.
Before that she looked like she would defeat Md Sp Wt's, but
ran out of track.
Trainer has a 29% conversion ratio when switching from turf to
dirt. The industry average is 11%.

Safer Bet:
a) #6 to Win, Place or Show

Exotics:
c) Trifecta: 6 with 1/2/3/7 with 1/2/3/7 (If a scratch, add #5)
d) Super: 6 with 1/2/3/7 with 1/2/3/7 with 1/2/3/7 (If a scratch, add #5)


Race 7) 6 Furlongs (Turf) Clm 40,000

#1 Little Miss Macho* Morning line 6-1
Showed early speed in last, but tired around 5 furlongs, atttemping
to go a mile, against a little better. It looks like she may have bounced in that race.
In prior she dominated some nice ones at Pimlico. Although most of her siblings
are dirt runners, she has the conformation for turf. The trainer has
excelled with the surface switch.

Safer Bet:
a) #1 to Win, Place or Show

Exotics:
b) Trifecta: 1 with 2/3/4/6 with 2/3/4/6 (If a scratch, add #7)
c) Super: 1 with 2/3/4/6 with 2/3/4/6 with 2/3/4/6 (if a scratch, add #7)

Holly card courtesy of Jerry Sessa

Hollywood 1st
5...Hope to Win
7...Chk Chk Boom
1...Miss Nikki C.

Hollywood 2nd
3...Mission Viejo Halo
5...Stanford Dolly
4...Elusive Memories

Hollywood 3rd
7...Blingboy
4...Ribat
3...Ride Candy Ride

Hollywood 4th
1...Fire in the Wind
3...Volgan Valley
5...Island Run

Hollywood 5th
5...Lion Heart's Bluff
7...Seriously
2...A Clever Ten

Hollywood 6th
2...Lone Justice
7...Blue Jay Attack
6...Valley Cat

Hollywood 7th
5...Magic Launch
4...Lazered
2...Wood Art

Hollywood 8th
4...Lost Prophet
1...Really Elegant
5...Dancing Lauren
9...Warren's Moon
7...Silver Style

Hollywood Park Race 8 courtesy of Deuce Bruce

BEACH BOTTOM BAY has two recent quick works plus previous longer works
for stamina. NOSEGAY is also live with these. LOST PROPHET drops big
for the return. Bet BEACH BOTTOM BAY (WP), Box the Exacta 8/10/4, Box the
Trifecta 8/10/4/9, Box the Superfecta 8/10/4/9 $24, and Play the Super High
5 - 8,10 with 8,10,4,9,7 = $48. (*Note: Alternates to replace any late
scratches are #9, #7, #1, and #5).