Spot Play Hot Plays for Oct. 11 at Batavia Downs

By Kevin Oklobzija

Spot Play Hot Plays for Wednesday, Oct. 11 at Batavia Downs

Race 3

No. 3 America Ferrera (5-1 morning line). I’m hoping Larry Stalbaum winds her up and fires to the front end. She’s taking a significant drop in class, and last week got away third in a quick half, then pulled first over and attempted to go after Scarlet N Silk. That didn’t work too well. But at this reduced level, when others look vulnerable, she may be worth using.

Race 4

No. 6 Mintiliscious (4-1 morning line). I land here largely by process of elimination. The 5/2 morning line favorite is the No. 1, Rockin Kasbah, a 3-year-old filly pacer facing older males. Pass. Normally I would try to make a case for the No. 2, Plans Over, on my “Any-horse-from-any-other-track” theory. But he hasn’t raced in 25 days, and even worse, he was off 21 days before that. One race in 46 days? Lou Pena couldn’t have this guy ready. The 4, Ain’t No Stoppin’ just hasn’t been very good all year, and the 5, Bazillion, isn’t good enough, period, especially moving up in class. So on the drop in class, and facing a weak bunch, Mintiliscious looks VERY playable.

Race 5

No. 4 Who Says That (7/2 morning line). She won in this class, the Open II, on Sept. 6, then bumped into the Open I for two starts. Slid back down to the Open II last week but drew post 6 on a night when the front end was golden. Should get a dream second-over trip tonight.

Recapping the Columbus Day SPHPs

Race 4 Doing Some Damage. Did none, actually. Tried a first-over grind and did nothing but clog the outer flow before doing the backstroke at 3-1. Had absolutely no pace whatsoever.

Race 6 Madd Hoss Jackson. Winner. The 1/2 favorite made it look like a one-horse race. The easiest of winners.

Race 11 Electric Chapel N. Winner. Found a little of his back class, fighting off a strong first-over surge by Wrangler Rockstar and then held on strongly in the stretch for the wire-to-wire score at 9/5.