Harness Analyst – Harrah’s Philadelphia 28th May

We have a huge card of harness racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia this afternoon, with Grand Circuit and Pennsylvania Sires Stakes action. Here are my selections and multi-race tickets for the card:

BEST BET: HILLEXOTIC – Race 12

SPOT PLAY: LYONS SPIRIT – Race 4

50-Cent Pick 4 – Race 1: 2/1,3,5,7/2,4/1,2,5 = $12

50-Cent Pick 5 – Race 5: 4,7/1,3/7,8/1,2,3,6,7/8 = $20

50-Cent Pick 4 – Race 10: 3,4/2,3,5,8/4/1,2,3,5 = $16

Race 1 – 2-1-4-3

(2) SAVE AMERICA stretched his legs against elders racing in the slop which should set him up perfectly for this initial sires stakes try of 2023. He should handle this Stallion Series field.

Race 2 – 7-3-5-1

(7) BROOKDALE MIKI had improving form when he showed up at Pocono for his first sires stakes tilt but those horses were just too fast for him. He fits better here in the Stallion Series and he gets the call to upset.

Race 3 – 4-2-3-6

(4) ITS MY SHOW comes in off a phenomenal winning mile and he gets the slight nod over (2) AMMO in what shapes up as a great sires stakes tilt.

Race 4 – 5-2-1-4

(5) LYONS SPIRIT is 2 for 2 in the Stallion Series so far in 2023 and he could be a value play in here because others paced faster in their most recent start.

Race 5 – 4-7-6-5

(4) BAMBOOZLER raced well in defeat last time. The rival that beat him uncorked a wicked mile that day. He gets the nod here with that foe showing up in Race 3 today.

Race 6 – 1-3-4-6

This race figures to be a battler between (1) COMMAND and (3) PANNETONE HANOVER, who finished right together on the line in their past two starts. Slight nod to the former who may be just a bit better right now.

Race 7 – – 7-8-2-1

(7) HAZEVILLE comes off an impressive first up win here and he gets the call to repeat off that sharp effort

Race 8 – 1-6-2-3

(1) DA DELIGHTFUL was an easy winner here in fast time two starts back with Miller driving and he gets that teamster back in the bike this afternoon. He could provide some value facing tougher here.

Race 9 – 8-6-5-1

(8) KEN HANOVER is on a big roll and this field looks easier than the one he beat last time. He should prove very hard to beat as a big chalk as he shoots for a fifth straight win to kick off 2023.

Race 10 – 3-4-1-2

(3) JILLIBY DYNAMITE A had no chance of closing into a 53 1/5 back 1/2 racing in the slop when favored at 1 to 2 last time. He should get a better setup today and he is worth a play at a price.

Race 11- The Betsy Ross Invitational Pace for Aged Mares – 5-8-3-2

(5) TREACHEROUS DRAGON got a perfect tune up for this stake and she will likely work out a pocket trip in this spot; top call.

Race 12 – The Maxie Lee Invitational for Aged Trotters – 4-2-8-1

(4) HILLEXOTIC raced great from the 10-hole in the Cutler but he had to work too hard early in the mile. He is the clear top pick here and a Pick 4 single.

Race 13 – The Joseph Auger Memorial Pace 3-2-1-5

(3) LOCHINVAR ART A signaled a return to his best form when he paced a 25 1/5 kicker in defeat in the slop last weekend at The Meadowlands. He should get an honest pace to stalk this time and he can vault past these late.

Race 14 – 2-3-6-5

Two-horse race between (2) CANNIBAL and (3) HUNTERS HERO. The former will likely get the jump in the latter, so he gets the nod.

Race 15 – 5-8-1-2

(5) PAT MCGARRY A has been racing decently against better and he has a good chance to drop and pop vs. these.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink