Best Bet – (4) LADYLIKE - Race 7
Spot Play – (6) SCOTTISH MACH - Race 4
20-cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 - 2,3/3,5,6/3,6,7/2,8 = $7.20
20-cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7 - 4/1,3/1,2/1,3,8 = $2.40
Race 1 – (4) THE ACCOUNTANT didn't have enough urgency when needed last week and the winner got away. A slightly more aggressive drive gets the job done here. (6) WOOD JACK is right there every week and he should be right there again. (1) DONT YOU FOOL ME debuts here and he showed enough in his lone qualifier to suggest he can compete for a share.
Race 2 – (1) ST LADS CASH will no doubt look to control this race from the outset, and he should prove hard to catch. (2) TOMORROWS HEADLINE finally draws a good post and he should be a big threat here. (7) CARWINS SMORE exits a tougher race but draws the worst post. he wouldn't be the worst stab if he is a good price.
Race 3 – (3) RED HOT TORCH got a setup last time, but the way he rolled by makes me think he has reached peak form; call to repeat. (2) MATTYS SMILIN fits better in this spot and she is the other one that I'll use in the opening leg of this $5,000 Guaranteed Pick 4. (1) ZUMMIE UMMY - with one win in 42 lifetime starts - offers no value in the Win or Pick 4 pools, but she can take a slice starting from the best post.
Race 4 – (6) SCOTTISH MACH lands in a good spot to get back on track after suffering an equipment break last time; top call. (3) HEARTBEATNSIZZLE has the most wins in the field and she picks up Coulter to drive here; using. (5) BELLE BEACH was 2nd to the choice last time, extending a run of several good efforts and she's not out of this.
Race 5 – (6) BELLAS PUNKETT races well for driver Neill and he returns here. She looks as good as any in a wide-open race. (7) OH MISS SOPHIE's form is improving and she should contend here despite her poor post. (3) TAROT is going to forget to stop one of these weeks; maybe tonight?
Race 6 – (2) CHECKMATE TITAN couldn't quite reach the leader last time but she gets major post advantage on that rival here; top call. (8) GUCCIOS OFFICE fits better racing at Flamboro Downs and he should be the main threat despite drawing widest. (6) ROYALTYS PEARL should get good position early and hang around for a share. (9) TUXEDO gets stuck in the second tier here which probably isn't the best post for him, but he should still land in the High-5 somewhere. (1) PASI VON BENTZ should get a good following trip and finish on the edges.
Race 7 – (4) LADYLIKE has found a home in this conditioned claimer and she should convert for a fifth straight win here. (2) TOPSILL BEACH is in peak form and she is the logical alternative to the choice. (1) ROSELLA is almost sure to finish in the Tri starting from the best post.
Race 8 – (3) VILLAGE CHAMP beat better than these at Mohawk Park two starts back and took a new life's mark then. He gets a barn change here, but he looks best. (1) CENTURY GIGALO was impressive winning off the class drop here last week; using. (2) SPORTS MEDICINE raced well last week, and he should get another good trip here; using on the bottom of Tris and Supers.
Race 9 – (1) CASIMIR RUMRUNNER doesn't need to chase Time To Dance this week and he should be the one to chase down here. (2) KINGSTONS BAD BOY should be racing in the choice's pocket and look to get by in the lane; using. (3) STONEBRIDGE GRAND returns from Mohawk Park and gets Shepherd to drive. He should be good for a share here.
Race 10 - (1) PINECONE PETE has raced better with Kelly in the bike and starting from the best post he should get sent forward at the start; top call. (8) POLLAR HALL gets to follow the choice due to an early scratch and he could trip out; using. (3) HONOR ABOVE ALL should be more aggressive early here and he is another possibility in a contentious dash. (4) CONSTANTINO drops but his recent form is uninspiring. I'll play to beat him. (2) FLEXIE is a good one to use in the 4-5 slots of the High-5.
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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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