Philadelphia Park 18 August 2008
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Dr Dan won a similar contest over five and a half furlongs here last time out but faces stiffer competition here. Me Tarzan has twice been placed lately in tougher contests while Chiefs Dad won a $15k claimer over 6f here last time out. It's worth taking a chance on SOUK, who ran a stinker last time but won his previous two starts - one in a $25k claimer over 5f at Delaware. That form would be easily good enough here.
WHISPERED WARNING, Means To Win and Wander Time all won similar contests here last time out, although the latter's six-length success was by far the most impressive. However, he hasn't proved the most consistent in the past. On the other hand, the selection has run well in much better company, is rarely far away and scored cosily in this grade two starts ago. He gets the vote here.
Panini won a similar contest three starts ago but seems to have lost her way somewhat since. My Manhattan also scored in this grade two starts ago but was well beaten last time in a slightly tougher contest and is passed over in favour of RUBBERNECKER, who cruised home in a $5k claimer last time and has good form in much better races.
Lucky Emmie B has been running consistently well but is up in class here, while Natures Express drops in grade but doesn't impress on her recent efforts. It's worth taking a chance on GULCH AFFAIR, winner of a $40k maiden special weight over 5f at Delaware last month. This is tougher but she's open to plenty of improvement after just two starts.
Although SUPERVISION was only third in a $25k starter's allowance over C&D last time, that represents the best form on offer here. Winner of a $25k claimer two starts ago, she seems to have the measure of these rivals despite stepping up in grade. Elirose and Kiss On A Star should fight it out for minor honours.
A trappy contest in which it may pay to side with SUPER HEROINE, a narrow winner in a slightly weaker contest at Delaware last time. This isn't much tougher and she should be capable of following up. Shoot The Bugler has twice been placed in this grade recently and looks the danger, while It Certainly Is won a $10k claimer last time and isn't out of this by any means.
Scholarship and Ready To Fly have both finished third in similar contests recently, although the former's effort was the more impressive. They could be playing for places, however, behind RAP TALE, who has been beaten in her last two starts but they were much tougher contests than this. Three wins from her previous four starts make her the one to beat here.
This looks an ideal opportunity for SPIRIT OF GULCH to get back to winning ways. His last four races have seen him knocking on the door in better contests. Down in grade tonight he should prove too good. Try To Fly won a slightly better contest over a route trip last time but has enough speed to chase the selection home, while Divisa is another to consider.
Plenty of these look open to improvement and More To It and Flashy Boo have shown enough in their two starts to come into the reckoning, but the vote goes to the slightly more experienced MYSTIC MAZE. He was only beaten a head in a similar contest last time in just his third start and could go one better now.
