Best Bet – (2) FAR BETTER – Race 7
Spot Play – (5) NATURAL FORCES – Race 6
Race 1 – (7) TYS GIRL beat most of these last time and she had no problem clearing to the front from an outside post; call to repeat. (5) MY CADILLAC JACK should be close to the choice early and he is the most logical alternative to the choice, although he is 0 for 15 at this point. (4) MOTOWN MISSILE is the only other winner in the race, but he was no match for the choice last time; using underneath.
Race 2 – (9) NEED SUM LUCK has a qualifier on July 5th that would be good enough to win this if he can replicate that mile. He could lead these all the way if Rooney is sending. (2) SALEM ON BY has the best form and she is the likely chalk and one to beat here. (1) SUNSET SOPH should be able to work out a good trip leaving from the inside; consider for exotics.
Race 3 – (4) ST LADS FIJI is hard to go past here shooting for her sixth straight win, but she will offer a tiny price. Look for value underneath. (2) LARJON LUCKY has been facing the same tough repeat winner for several weeks at Grand River and he has a good shot to be in the Exacta in this spot. (5) MACH ART IN MOTION has finished third 39% of the time this year so you know he’s a good one to use on the bottom of the Tri.
Race 4 – (2) XTATIC HANOVER has been facing better for several weeks and he paced a big mile last time he raced on this track on July 27th. He gets the nod here. (9) A WHOLE LOTTA SASS is logical after winning two of her last three, but post could be an issue here. Demand a price with this one. (6) GO GET BRUCE is a capable veteran who may sneak into the Tri here at a price.
Race 5 – (8) MISTER GODRO comes to play every week and he has been deadly in this $7K claimer class; call to repeat. (6) CASIMIR LOW GEAR was hung the mile last time when facing the choice. He could get a much better trip here starting inside that rival; Exactor factor. (5) WRITE THE CHECK is sharp and dangerous; using underneath.
Race 6 – (5) NATURAL FORCES shows one race on his card where St Louis drove him at this track, and it was a blowout win. More of the same could be coming here. (6) AVUNCULAR is always a threat because of his excellent gate speed and he should be in the hunt from the start here. (4) IRISH THUNDER steps up off a sharp win but he’ll get competition for the front end here. I’ll use him on the bottom of the Tri.
Race 7 – (2) FAR BETTER looks mighty tough here as he seeks a threepeat; top call at a short price. (1) BOOKIE BABY should get a good following trip behind the choice here and she can crack the Exactor. (4) MACHLIKEANEGYPTIAN is in good form and she doesn’t have to chase the white-hot St Lads Fiji here. She isn’t out of this.
Race 8 – (8) CANTCOUNTMEOUT was driven hard here two starts back with St Louis in the bike but the trip didn’t work out. I’ll give him the nod in a wide-open race. (7) SPORTSCRAZY drops into the lowest claiming class here but it’s hard to take a short price on her when she shows one Exactor finish in 20 starts this year. (1) DREAM BALL shows a nice kicker in her qualifier which makes her interesting for use in the exotics.
Race 9 – (6) BOURBON SEELSTER was game in defeat in a quick mile last time and she should be tough in here. (7) BOOMBOOM BALLYKEEL is always a threat when racing at these levels and I expect he will be forwardly placed early this time. (3) FADING SHADOW is in good form currently and she should be coming on late to crack the top three.
Race 10 – Interesting race with several possibilities but I’ll side with (3) NATES BUCKY racing off the fresh Moreau claim and getting St. Louis in the bike. (5) SPIDER MAN HANOVER has been on fire at Clinton and he should be the one to chase down here. (8) SHIPPEN OUT never misses the board so he’s hard to leave off Triactor tickets from any post.
Race 11 - (5) KAHLUA MORNING ships west coming off a big mile, and she picks up the top driver here. She's the one to beat. (1) BAD NIGHT MARE should be well-placed early and she should be right in the hunt throughout. (4) ZARKANA gets slight post improvement here and she may work her way into the Tri at a price.
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Garnet Barnsdale is a veteran handicapper, bettor and racing writer who has worked as an analyst for DRF Harness for the past five years. He is also the current President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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