Best Bet – (1) ANDERSON SEELSTER – Race 3
Spot Play – (2) ANGEL HANDS – Race 2
Early Pick 4 – 1/4,6,9/1,2,6/1,3 = $3.60
Late Pick 4 – 1,6/1,2,3/2,3,4/3,4 = $7.20
Race 1 – (6) SO FRISKY is several seconds the best in here and only a ridiculously bad trip can get her beat. (1) AUMYDARLIN can blast for position then follow the choice to complete the Exacta. (4) KATIE NANA is always in the mix, but I’ll try to beat her out of the Exacta here using the two sophomore Grassroots fillies on top.
Race 2 – (2) ANGEL HANDS isn’t the most obvious horse on paper, but she drew poorly in most of her starts at The Meadows and she gets a notable barn change here. (8) TRIM THE SAILS adds Lasix and is somewhat obvious on paper, but the 8-hole is never a bargain on any half-miler. I wouldn’t take a short win price here. (3) DESERT TRICK should get a better trip here moving inside three posts and she is an exotics threat.
Race 3 – (1) ANDERSON SEELSTER disappointed as a big chalk last time but she gets to drop again and drawing inside she should be pointed right down the road. (5) XELENE BAYAMA is circling around to her best form and she should be part of this Exacta. (7) SOS BAMBIE comes off a sharp effort at Georgian but starting from out there I’ll use her on the bottom of Tris.
Race 4 – (6) AZALEA SEELSTER looks to double up in this class and she may clear quickly again which will give her a good chance to repeat. (9) SHEMARS LADY HAVOC was an impressive winner at odds-on last week here and she is likely the one to fend off late. (4) REDHOT N SPORTY has turned into a consistent mare after taking a long time to break her maiden. Don’t take her too lightly.
Race 5 – (2) FARMGIRL TOUGH was very tough last time, pacing a big effort first up then drawing off in good time; call to repeat. (6) GIRL WITH ATTITUDE’s race two starts back makes her a contender here and her Mohawk Park start can be tossed; using. (1) BOLD N SPORTY is another contender but she could get over bet starting from the inside here.
Race 6 – (3) ONLY ONE STAR made a speed break just past the half when it appeared as though she was going to brush and crush. She can rebound here. (1) SR BEACH BABE should be tough in this class, especially from the rail; using. (2) RIVER RISING should get a good following trip and hang around for a share.
Race 7 – (6) HAMMERING HALEY crushed similar last week and more of the same is likely here. (1) WINDSONG OLYMPIA fits better here than she did racing at Mohawk Park and I’ll toss her in this Pick 4. (3) CLASSIC BLACKJACK was third to the choice and she should get a decent following trip here, too; using underneath. (7) DEX THE LAND should be rallying late as should (8) FRIENDS TO THE END. Consider using both in the High-5.
Race 8 – The two Mohawk Park invaders get the best posts here and I’ll side with (1) TWENTY THREE RED who gets the best post. (2) THRILLONTHEBEACH should provide a stern challenge to the choice and I’ll use both in this Pick 4. (3) RIDE AWAY SHARK is usually right there in this class and she’s hard to leave off Pick 4 tickets.
Race 9 – (3) FILLY FORTY SEVEN draws better here for this second crack at this class and she has a big shot this time. (4) DAZZLING ROCKETTE is helped by the 7-horse field here as she may get to set up her rally from closer range which can make a difference. (2) SOUTHWIND ION is in solid form and she’s another chance in a contentious race.
Race 10 – (4) STOLEN SECRETS draws much better here and a big speed try should be coming. (3) BETTORS INSTINCT finished ahead of the choice after providing cover for that rival and she should be the main threat. (1) IMACAROLTOO is in a great spot to get a nice following trip and stick around for a share. (7) BUCKINGHAM was a little flat last time, but she can hit the board vs. these. (5) LITTLE ANNA MAE was 4th to the choice last time and she can take a small slice again.
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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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