Best Bet – (7) TAURUS DU PARC – Race 8
Spot Play – (4) GIVING IT ALL – Race 5
Early Pick 4 – 2,8/1,4,7/4,6/1,5 = $4.80
Late Pick 4 – 3,6,7,9/7/2,6,7/1,2,3,5 = $9.60
Race 1 – (3) POPLAR ARTIE almost won vs. similar at Georgian two starts back then had a rough trip from an outer post when racing here last time. Post relief may be all this gelding needs to graduate to the winners’ ranks. (9) MAJO RAFIKI is the only winner in the race and he is sure to be heard from at some point of this race. (6) THE FIRST CHAPTER is an interesting entry here being a trotting-bred pacer. I’ll watch him once.
Race 2 – (6) KEEPER CRUISIN made two moves to blow up the tote board last time and if he can get position early here, he may repeat at another decent price. (4) ROCK N BO is hard to ignore coming off a big win where he dropped significant time. He’s the one to beat. (5) CASSIUS closed to nab third behind the choice and he should be in the exotics mix again here.
Race 3 – The only race (2) AMERICAN PAGEANT lost recently was one where she started from the extreme outside post at Georgian Downs which is typically mission impossible. She gets the call here over (8) ANGELIC SPEED, who faces far easier but must overcome the worst post. (6) LONNIES CROWN is always around the money it seems, and he should be on the Trifecta ticket again.
Race 4 – (7) TIME TO DANCE has been outstanding in winning several in a row and he’ll take beating again here. (1) DREAMFAIR CHARRO could easily work out a dream pocket trip following the choice here; beware. (4) G A SPEEDY SAMMY comes out of some tough races in Ottawa and he is another to consider in this spot.
Race 5 – (4) GIVING IT ALL had an impossible trip last time when hung out trying to make the front. She stands a better chance to clear to the front early here and she gets the nod. (6) EZEE TIGUAN is always a threat at this level is seems and I’ll use her in this Pick 4. (7) LEADEROFTHEPACK figures to pass a few of these late and take a slice.
Race 6 – (1) ILL STAY HERE hasn’t won in forever, but her race two starts back might be good enough to win this if she can replicate it and Plante should be sending her; call to upset. (5) SPICEY VICTOR – with 27 wins in the last two campaigns, many in these classes – is always hard to leave out; using. (4) CALLIE MAGOO is an honest veteran who should contend for at least a share here.
Race 7 – (3) BETTER THAN BOOTS has been great in his last two starts racing on the rim and he gets the call to repeat here. (9) EXCALIBER SEELSTER is an obvious threat, but he may not get away well from the second tier here; mixed feelings on this one. (6) STONEBRIDGE SURF races far easier and he will likely gun to the top leaving the gate and try to lead these on a merry chase. (7) CHEDDAR BAY also drops, and he should be heard from late here. (1) TEREM A NEW ONE can sit a following trip and land a small share.
Race 8 – (7) TAURUS DU PARC is on a tremendous roll that isn’t likely to be stopped here and he’s my single in this Pick 4. (4) EMMALULU came on for third to the choice last time. She can round out the Exacta here. (1) ADVENTURE AHEAD will use his good gate speed to get early position and he should be in the Tri.
Race 9 – (7) BROCKS FORTUNE drops and he likely pops here. (6) SMOOTH MARA N almost held off a good colt last time and he is in with a decent chance here. (2) LITTLEBITASWAGGER is a threat with post relief here and his main rivals lined up to the outside.
Race 10 – (5) PILLAGE AND BURN made a threatening move on the last turn that he couldn’t sustain last week when facing better. A similar strategy could get the job done here. (1) SHADOW MARGEAUX raced much better last time and from the best post he is the one to beat here. (2) EVASIVE CARD SHARK is worth a look for the Pick 4 getting post relief for the first time in several weeks. (3) LORIS ROCK STAR exits some tough claiming races at Mohawk Park, and you have another possibility in a contentious race here. (7) STRATOSPHERE is a good one to use in the 3-4-5 slots 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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