Best Bet - (5) NATES BUCKY - Race 7
Spot Play - (6) D GS SHALLWEDANCE - Race 1
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3 - 2,7/1,5,8/5,6/1,5,9 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 7 - 5/2,5,8/5,7,8/6,7 = $3.60
Race 1 - (6) D GS SHALLWEDANCE is as sharp as a tack right now, and even though he moves to a worse post here, he should be hard to beat. (3) CYCLONE JOE faces easier here and he should contend, but with a 2 for 64 record, I prefer to use him underneath. (5) AMAZON DRAGON should get another good following trip here and check in for a share.
Race 2 - (4) DADDY DEVITO qualified well for this return to action and he gets a slight nod in a wide-open race. (7) R THINKING MONSTER showed good late speed in his lone qualifier. He can contend right off the bat here. (6) MR MCGOO improved his speed in the November 30th qualifier. He is worth a look here.
Race 3 - (7) MAYOR MITTCHEESE faces easier here and a big speed try is likely in this spot; top call. (2) THISBEATGOESON should get another good trip racing near the front here. He is on my early Pick 4 ticket. (1) LARJON LESTER comes off a nice effort at Mohawk Park but his 1 for 43 record doesn't inspire confidence for use on top. I will take him on the bottom of Tris and Supers.
Race 4 - (1) AIR GLIDER looked good winning last week and if he stays flat, he should be tough here. (5) MASSMADE has proven to be capable at this level and racing off the claim here she is worth a long look. (8) ANGELS KID is worth a look facing easier but post 8 could be problematic; using underneath.
Race 5 - (6) GUCCIOS OFFICE was in a tough spot last time, racing uncovered and challenging in an accelerating back 1/2. He has improved since the driver change two starts back and he gets the nod here. (5) HOPES SOLO trotted a huge mile to win and while she can be erratic at times, her win percentage is very high and she's tough to leave out. (4) ARCHWAY can sit another good trip and take a decent share.
Race 6 - (5) LITTLEBITASWAGGER raced tough at this level last time when facing some better horses. He can beat these with a reasonable trip. (9) CRUISE CAPTAIN is in a better spot here and a form reversal wouldn't surprise. (1) ABOUT A BOY can sit a nice trip here again and he should be a threat in the lane.
Race 7 - (5) NATES BUCKY is in top form and he comes in off a sharp win; call to repeat. (9) DABUNKA was claimed by a top barn and he should contend here despite leaving from the second tier. (2) JOLTED figures to leave quicker and get a much-improved trip here from an inside post; using. (1) DARTH BADER and (3) BLUE CHIP SUNSHINE are two inside horses that merit close looks for inclusion in the High-5.
Race 8 - (2) PAPARAZZI HANOVER drops and he figures to get a good setup stalking some outside speed here; top call. (8) AMERICAN WIGGLE is dangerous at this level, but he will need to overcome the worst post; demand a price. (5) BETTOR BB is another who has faced tougher recently who is in with a chance in this contentious dash.
Race 9 - (5) SAUBLE PLAY has been winning regularly lately and he is worth a play here moving up off the claim. (8) MYSTERY PHIL fits well here and he could get the setup he needs to roll by late. (7) G A SPEED SAMMY is an obvious contender on paper, but he has missed a month and draws poorly; your call.
Race 10 - (6) STONEBRIDGE HALL trotted a big mile to win last week and he faces similar here; call to repeat. (7) CAVIARS TRIUMPH couldn't repel the choice, but he gets driver Coulter back here and he should be a top contender. (2) EXPLOSIVE JET returns from Mohawk Park and she will get overbet off that angle considering she is still stuck on one win this year; using underneath. (1) ASA ONAMISSION should get a good following trip here and contend for a share. (3) P C HEISENBERG can show some early speed here and stick around for a slice.
Photo by John Watkins
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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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