Best Bet - (3) CANTCOUNTMEOUT - Race 1
Spot Play - (3) MO BETTOR - Race 3
Race 1 - (3) CANTCOUNTMEOUT set strong splits in the slop here last week but he was 2nd best at the end. This looks like a spot where he wires the field at short odds. (1) BUNKHOUSE BRAWL should get a better start here from the inside, so he is an Exactor factor in this spot. (2) AARONS MATTJESTY is worth a look making his first start of the year and attracting driver Borth.
Race 2 - (1) IM RYLAN draws the rail here and this is a spot where teamster Steward is likely to impose his will from start-to-finish. (8) DARKTWISTEDFANTASY should get a good trip leaving behind the choice and she looks like the main danger. (5) ROCKIN SOCKEM comes off a decent try at this track and she can take another slice in this spot.
Race 3 - (3) MO BETTOR delivered as last week's Spot Play at a nice price and while he will get bet more heavily here, he can repeat vs. these. (1) CAMPASSION qualified well and she will have to be caught, but she may be the perfect target for the choice. (4) DOLLY DALI has been racing tough at London, but she could get hung out early here by the two choices; using underneath.
Race 4 - (2) BAROSSA BLUE JEANS will be a big threat to wire these if he stays flat this time. (3) HOWDY PARTNER failed as the chalk here last time, but that was in the slop and he can go better if the track is dry. (1) TWOMUCHTOBSAID is 1 for his last 52 but he should hit the board in this spot leaving from the best post.
Race 5 - (3) RAINBOW GOLD was very live at the end of the race last time but he lost too much ground and had too far to come. He looks best here. (1) WHAT CAN I SAY should use his good early speed to his advantage here leaving from the inside and he is the one to chase down. (8) SPARTAN VICTORY can get a good trip here leaving behind What Can I Say; consider for Tri bets.
Race 6 - (2) TEREM TWO BITS gets a key driver change here and a great post to go on a speed mission; top call. (1) MACH ART IN MOTION comes off a big win at this track in the slop, but he may find the choice tough here if that rival imposes his will early. (4) MANCINO is still a one-time winner but he has great form and should hit the board in this spot.
Race 7 - (1) MASSIVEPAJAMAPARTY is in a great spot to try for another front end win here. Catch her to greet the cashier. (5) TINAS WAR was second to a win machine last out at London. She should be a formidable foe for the choice. (6) GO GET BRUCE is a classy veteran who should have some say in the outcome here.
Race 8 - (5) ZARKANA has already won as many races as she did last year, in 28 fewer starts. She should be tough in here. (8) QUEENOFHEARTS has 11 slices in 21 starts so far this year and she should be right there again. (2) SQUIRT comes off a blowout win at this track, but these look tougher. I'll play to beat her.
Race 9 - (6) DONAVAN Z TAM qualified well over this track and he attracts driver Borth in a race where there is little form; slight nod. (3) MAJOR ARTATTACK will be winging again early. She should last longer in this spot. (2) ORIGAMI SEELSTER has the most experience, but I couldn't take a short win price on her.
Race 10 - (2) BROTHER AIDAN knocked off a rival that was on a long winning streak last time while keeping his win streak intact. A five-peat looms here. (4) INSINCERITY fits well here in this class and she should be a major factor. (6) FADING SHADOW is always around the money; consider for the exotics.
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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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