By Kevin Oklobzija
Spot Play Hot Plays for Wednesday, Oct. 18 at Batavia Downs
I’ll be looking for the Billy Davis Jr. hat trick; he’s driving all three.
Race 4
No. 3 Cleared for Takeoff (7/2 morning line). A month ago she was racing against Scarlet N Silk at Tioga Downs. Tonight, Cleared for Takeoff is in this lower-level optional claiming handicap and Scarlet N Silk is in the Open 2 mares pace. Last week Cleared for Takeoff was first over against a horse with tons of back class, V’la Faire, and couldn’t get by. V’la Faire appears to be cycling back into top form and moves up in class tonight. Cleared for Takeoff stays at the same level and looks very live.
Race 6
No. 1 Well Well Well (4-1 morning line). This is a bottom-level conditioned event, and since I don’t play mares against the boys in a pace, I immediately eliminate the 2, 3 and 6 from the win spot. Not only that, but this would appear to be a no-doubt 1 and 4 leaving line-up. Since the 4, Yohansbastion Mach, has been coming to a walk in the lane, I don’t want Billy Davis to take a chance and get trapped so I want him to retake and cut the mile. Davis drove the 4 last week and chose the 1 tonight.
Race 7
No. 4 Sarah Cola (9/2 morning line). Drops from the Open and Open II mares into a conditioned pace that includes $10,000 claimers. She’s better than these unless there’s a strong front-end bias or unless Quicksilvercandy A gets away with an easy half. Quicksilvercandy A is an astonishing 18-for-37 this year with $89,000 in earnings but as long as Drew Monti is aggressive on the 2, Mayabelle, then Sarah Cola should get a perfect second-over trip.
Recapping the weekend SPHPs
Friday
Race 1 Ellen’s Streak. Third. She attempted to leave but had no pop and took back, which prompted Ray Fisher Jr. aboard Bands Ariston to bolt to the lead. Bands Ariston never looked back, easily repelling the first-over try by Ellen’s Streak.
Race 2 Shipps Xpectancy (and Brodie Hanover). Winner (and fourth). My play was to use both in the back end of the double, and both in the Pick 5. Shipps Xpectancy ended up with a two-hole trip behind Brodie Hanover, then pulled out of the pocket to go three-wide at the three-quarter marker. He had just enough left to hold off Cam Engine while Brodie Hanover finished fourth. Shipps Xpectancy paid $9.20
Race 5 Dodger Hanover. Winner. Dodger Hanover was an impressive front-end winner but paid just $3.40
Race 9 Vagra. Winner. I said he could do it either way, on the front end or by closing. Doug Ackley chose to cut the mile and rolled to a dominating victory to pay $6.60. The exacta with the co-favorite, I B Trouble, paid a hefty $30.20.
Saturday
Race 10 Big Ricky. Winner. Somehow went off the second choice and not the favorite. Methodically moved up first-over from the back of the bus, never got impatient, and simply wore down front-running favorite Brett McFavrelous. Drew clear for victory and returned $6.20.
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