Best Bet - (2) BRINGHOME THEBLUE - Race 1
Spot Play - (4) HP PATRIOTE - Race 10
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3 - 3,4/1,3,4,5,8/2,4/2,3,9 = $12
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 7 - 2,4/1,4,5/2,7,9/4,5,7 = $10.80
Race 1 - (2) BRINGHOME THEBLUE was a winner vs. better at Mohawk Park two starts back and he should be tough to beat drawing well here. (1) SHADOW OF LINDY will likely be the one to catch again leaving from the rail and having shown front-end speed last time. (3) NATES BUCKY is capable of better and he should be closer early; using underneath.
Race 2 - (5) ABSOLUT SEELSTER led for every step but one last week when she was nailed by (6) WILLYORWONTHE right on the line. These two should battle it out again; slight nod to the former but it really can go either way. (4) FLY BEYOND appears ready for action coming off a break, but his 0 for 19 record this year makes me want to use him underneath the sharp duo picked above.
Race 3 - (3) KEEP COMING probably raced best last week, but the pocket-sitter was the victor. If he brings that same effort tonight, he can beat these. (4) DOWN ON MY LUCK has been razor-sharp racing out of town and he should have a big shot in here. (5) BEACHIN LINDY loses the advantageous rail post here after winning off a perfect trip. I will play to beat him here.
Race 4 - In a tough race with several live chances I'll side with (1) ITS A BIG SECRET who should use his sharp gate speed to get position and possibly work out the best trip. (4) GOTAMEETING got claimed off a sharp try and he should be in the hunt from the outset here. (5) DASHIKI is in great form currently and at 10 to 1 in the morning line he could provide some Pick 4 value.
Race 5 - (2) HEINEKEN SEELSTER almost beat better here two starts back despite suffering an interference break at the start. He should be tough here. (4) STORMONT CHARLOTTE has beaten better than these in the past and she looks ready for a good try coming off the shelf; using. (5) OCEANVIEW DEB will take action shipping in from Mohawk Park but her weak win record makes her a bet against for me.
Race 6 - (2) TIGUAN SEELSTER has drawn poorly for weeks, now he is in a spot where driver Moore should roll him early; slight nod. (9) CASSIUS obviously has the best recent form but starting from the second tier he could have his work cut out. (3) DREAM ON DREAM ON makes his second start off the claim and he drops back down to the level at which he was taken by his new connections. A better effort is expected here.
Race 7 - (2) THORN IN YOUR SIDE looked a winner last week at the head of the lane only to be nailed late by a Mohawk Park class-dropper. He may go right down the road here. (4) UF BETTORS HANOVER is a good fit at this level and driver Young continues to run hot; using. (6) SIR PUGSLEY drops one level and he should be heard from in this spot. (8) OFFICER JONES will be passing horses as usual but I'm not sure he can sweep this field from last which is likely what he will be asked to do. (5) HES GOT SWAGGER is capable of better and he could get sent for improved position early here; using underneath.
Race 8 - (4) ITS HUW YOU KNOW was beaten by a horse that has already come back to win at Mohawk Park on Friday and he should be tough in here. (1) IONIA should get a better trip here leaving from the inside and she's the one to fear late. (5) LADY CATERINA typically contends at this level and she should be racing near the front which gives her a shot.
Race 9 - (7) SOMEHOWSOMEDAY has fared okay at this level in two straight and he gets the nod here in a race with little form. (2) BUCIZE ROCK - with six wins this year - is more than capable of beating these if he has his gait issues straightened out. (9) BIG BOY FRAZIER has been racing well and he is the third one that I'll use in this Pick 4.
Race 10 - (4) HP PATRIOTE had some good late speed to offer last time but he was simply too far back to make an impact. Getting away from post 8 improves his chances here and he should be a good price. (7) SMOOTH MARA N drops and he should be blasting early here; using. (5) ALWAYS N THE MONEY also faces easier and he should be in the hunt vs. these. (6) DEVILS PEAK dropped and shocked last time but, in this spot, he won't get an easy lead; using underneath. (9) CANDID CAMERON can sit a following trip and make it into the High-5 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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