Best Bet – (2) SPLURGE ON ME – Race 9
Spot Play – (1) TIME FOR WINE – Race 8
Race 1 – (1) MUSCLE LANE faces easier, draws inside and picks up J Mac to drive, all of which should make her tough to beat in the opener. (6) RIDDLE ME MISS raced okay at Sarnia and getting aggressive teamster Kelly here makes her an Exacta factor at a price. (4) SCHRADER HANOVER comes off a win at this class, but he will likely need to be faster here to beat these.
Race 2 – (3) QUEEN OF HEARTS is the kind that Henry jumps behind and sends right down the road; top call. (2) MARK YOUR PAIGE should get a good spot near the front again and contend for the win. (1) ASBRAVEASMYMOMMA should trip well here leaving from the best post but I prefer to use her underneath in this spot.
Race 3 – (4) DIVA DALI faced tougher from a worse post and raced okay but missed getting a check. Moving in a couple of slots and dropping back to the $7K claiming level should do the trick for her. (5) IF YOU KNEW SUSIE improved sharply when she moved to Clinton last week; consider for the Exacta. (1) THRIFT SHOP seems to be overrated on the morning line at 8 to 5, but she is a contender in this spot – especially leaving from the best post.
Race 4 – (3) ATEYATEFNGRSLOUIE is right there every week and he should get a good trip here either racing on the lead or following closely behind; top call. (1) SPIDER MAN HANOVER hasn’t been able to finish off his opponents, but he came closest last time and he will be the one to catch here again. (2) MADDYS CREDIT should sit a nice following trip here leaving from this good post and she can hang around to land in the Triactor.
Race 5 – (3) HALO ITS ME has built up a solid record and she should clear to the front here early. She’s the one to catch and beat. (2) CAMBRIDGE KATE finished right with the choice last time and she looks like the main threat here with 1/2-mile track expert Henry in the bike. (4) BLUE MAGIC stopped badly last time, but two starts back she was 2nd to the choice. Her best effort puts her in the picture here.
Race 6 – (4) MADAM SHAZAM had a couple of good tighteners for this Grassroots event. Check out her third start back for a better indicator of what she can do against these. (6) WITCHES N ANGELS has yet to win this year, but she has been competitive, and Henry can likely wake her up in this spot; using. (1) WARRAWEE ULTRA should get a quick start and contend for at least a share here.
Race 7 – (6) MYINSIDEVOICE has won two straight with aggressive third quarter moves and more of the same is expected here. (3) MACPHERSON THUNDER got untracked racing at Kawartha Downs and he should be the one to catch in this spot. (5) WRITERS EDGE is in solid form and she should contend racing from close range in this spot. I’ll use her on the bottom of my Tris.
Race 8 – (1) TIME FOR WINE gets major post relief here and that may be all it takes for him to turn things around. (2) SNAGGLE PUSS is another that moves inside who will likely look to take advantage early by getting a spot near the front. He can turn the tables if he trips out. (6) SOUTHFIELD SPIRIT made a big move that almost paid off last week. She is one with improving form that should be considered for the Triactor.
Race 9 – (2) SPLURGE ON ME sticks out here and Henry should send her right down the road vs. these. (4) ABSYNTHE HANOVER raced well vs. males in the Dream of Glory Stakes but she will have her hands full with the choice here; using underneath. (1) HOLIDAY HARLOT should sit a good following trip and make it onto the Tri or even the Exacta.
Race 10 – (6) ANGELIC SPEED has some Gold lines that stick out here and if she can get a decent trip starting from out there, she’ll be tough to beat. (7) JUSTICE SOCIETY is interesting shipping west from Quebec and picking up Filion. (4) SORORITY SECRET is a good one to use on the bottom of Tris in this spot.
Race 11 - (2) BIG TIME SUNRISE drops and notice two starts back he was second to the tough Brocks Fortune who would be odds-on against this group. This gelding gets top call here. (7) BS TYRRIFIC chased some hot splits and prevailed last week in a strong effort. Stepping up and moving outside will boost his price here. (1) ANDY THE MANAGER should contend for a minor award leaving from the best post here.
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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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