Best Bet – (1) CLUB BELVEDERE – Race 7
Spot Play – (1) HAILEY LUJAH – Race 1
20-cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 2,3/1,2/1,5,7/3,4,5 = $7.20
20-cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7 – 1/1,2,4/1,6/1,2,3,5,9 = $6.00
Race 1 – (1) HAILEY LUJAH was simply too far back last time. Starting from the best post we should see a race similar to two starts back when she was a big winner. (4) OSEEMYLUCKY BO fits much better racing at Flamboro Downs and she should return to form here. (2) SOPHIES CAM is hard to leave out of the Tri coming off a sharp win at this level.
Race 2 – (2) D GS FAIRYSTARS drops, draws inside, retains driver Kelly and she stands a good chance in this spot. (6) BEAUTIFUL LIZ is likely to show early speed again, but she will need more late zip to hold the closers at bay here. (1) THRILLOGY brings some good form with her from Ottawa and she should land in the Tri here after starting from the best post.
Race 3 – (2) CHECKMATE TITAN goes for a threepeat in another winnable spot, but her price will be short again. (3) ROYALTYS PEARL gets teamster Henry back here and that should mean more aggression leaving the gate; using. (4) ASA ONAMISSION can hit the board this time if he stays trotting
Race 4 – (1) BETTORS PARLAY faces much easier here and he gets the nod over (2) CASSIUS – who raced huge off the Bourgault claim – but now must deal with the choice. I’ll use both in this $5,000 Guaranteed Pick 4. (4) BACKRIVER DUKE improved last week and he can come on late and hit the board vs. these.
Race 5 – (5) WINGS OF BALLYKEEL figures to get her customary good spot near the front leaving the gate and she may get the best trip here; top call. (1) MASSMADE was left in Spicey Victor’s wake the other day in London. She rates highly vs. these. (7) AIR GLIDER can also show speed in this spot and he is the third one that I’ll use in this Pick 4.
Race 6 – (5) LARJON LUCY has excuses for her last two starts and she won two straight when last seen at Flamboro. She gets the nod here. (4) BELLE BEACH held on to beat maidens, but this isn’t that much tougher, and she should be heard from here. (3) SCOTTISH MACH can sit a trip near the front vs. these. She is in with an upset chance.
Race 7 – (1) CLUB BELVEDERE is going to be hard to beat starting from the rail and looking for a threepeat at this level. Seek value underneath. (2) JANES ANGEL gets a notable driver change here and she could add some value to the exotics. (9) MEEAS DREAM is facing easier but the choice gets the jump on him when the wings of the gate fold open and he could get overbet in this spot. (7) RED HOT TORCH is always a good one to use underneath. (4) RADICAL ROY should beat a few of these and finish on the fringes again.
Race 8 – (1) KINGSLEY B raced a bit better last time and he has beaten much better than these in the past. If Steward can get him away from the gate in the top two, he can register a mild upset here. (2) MAINTENANCE MAN has good recent form and he should be heading for the front leaving the gate. He should be the one to catch. (4) ZEN DA BALLYKEEL fits this class well and he’s in with a shot if he gets motivated earlier in the mile.
Race 9 – (1) COURAGE ran into a razor-sharp rival last week and could do no better than chase him around the track. He has a big shot here from the rail. (6) TOMORROW’S HEADLINE is the other obvious contender coming off a sharp win and I’ll use both in this late Pick 4. (4) MO BETTOR raced decently last time and he can pass some of these to hit the board.
Race 10 – (3) CLOTHIER HANOVER is fast enough to beat these and he picks up driver Shepherd here, which won’t hurt; top call. (1) DELCREST RONNIE’s race two back puts him right in the mix here if he can stay trotting. (2) THE ACCOUNTANT has improving form and draws well; another late Pick 4 possibility. (5) ZUMMIE UMMY comes off a good effort but there is a lot of early speed to her inside. I wouldn’t take a short price here. (9) WESTVIEW SUE may get a nice following trip here and she has longshot possibilities.
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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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