Best Bet – (3) HAMMERING HALEY – Race 10
Spot Play – (1) TRANSENDANCE – Race 5
20-cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 6,7/1,2,3/1,3/1,3,6 = $7.20
20-cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8 – 4,6,8/3,8/1,3/1,4,7 = $7.20
Race 1 – (4) DELIZABETH raced well on a “good” track last time and she looks best here, but she is almost sure to be odds-on. (5) QRAKMEUP BLUE CHIP is one of only two winners in this field and she can improve sharply here making her second start back off a break and drawing a better post. (3) LYDIAS LIBERTY had a nice debut mile and she is another who can improve here, especially if she leaves the gate faster this time.
Race 2 – (3) PUTNAMS FIRE drops to the bottom here and an aggressive try is likely with Plante in the bike. (1) MARK YOUR PAIGE is likely to leave hard here, and she could get a perfect pocket trip in this spot; using. (4) DESTINY CRUISE may be denied the front early here – and that’s where she wants to be – I’ll play to beat her vs. these.
Race 3 – (7) SECRETS LADY got tired late racing over a “good” track last time. She is a viable contender here and her price should go up starting from the 7-hole; top call. (6) BETTERTHANLOVE got hung the route last time and she paid the price. She might clear these before the 1/4 and that would give her a good chance of going all the way on the lead. (3) KARMAS LB exits a stakes series to face easier in this spot. She can hit the board here.
Race 4 – (3) HONOR ROLL moves to an inside post where she usually leaves hard from. She will likely land in the pocket of (1) HP PANDORA at the start and these two should fight it out down the lane for the win. (2) CHICKIE LOVE may end up being forced to race first-over in this spot but she can land in the Tri or Super, however.
Race 5 – (1) TRANSENDANCE got an aggressive steer last week but she was overtaken by the winner in the third 1/4. A similarly aggressive steer here could get the job done at a price. (3) LADYLIKE parlayed a driver change to a catch-driver into a win last week and she should be a threat racing near the front again here. (4) WHATAREYOULOOKINAT is one of only three winners in this field and she raced decently last time after starting from the second tier. She could pop here if she gets a trip.
Race 6 – (6) SMILE IN STYLE faces much easier here returning from a trip to Mohawk Park and driver Young should be sending her hard leaving the gate; top call. (3) OSEEMYLUCKY BO is right there every week and she is hard to leave off Pick 4 tickets; using. (1) BUCKINGHAM has drawn poorly forever. Expect her to contend here and give her a look for the early Pick 4.
Race 7 – (1) POSTMODERNISM raced okay after missing 6 weeks and she should get a more aggressive drive now coming back in a week; top call. (2) TOPSILL BEACH tripped out to win, but a similar scenario has a good chance of playing out here; using. (5) MORNING HAS BROKEN is capable vs. these and if she is put into this race early, she could prove hard to beat. (6) FRESH EYES was an easy winner last time she raced on a B track and she may be rated a little low here. She is another that can win this contentious dash. (8) CASIMIR SWAMP GIRL can pass a few of these late and land in the High-5.
Race 8 – (4) TABLES BIG SECRET was hooked in a wild three-mare speed duel early last time and while the other two finished last and second-last, she stayed game. A better trip must be coming with those two rivals not in this race and she gets the nod. (8) BUTTERMILK HANOVER is in excellent form, but she did get a dream setup last week. I’d demand a price here from the 8-hole again. (6) OUTLAW IMAHOTVIXEN
was a winner last time she raced here at this level. Give her a look for the late Pick 4.
Race 9 – (3) LADY OXFORD was sent ready in her comeback race after tipping her hand with a very good qualifier. Her price could be better here, and I’ll stick with her. (8) ARYA STARK is the one to beat on paper, but from post 8 what price will you take? (9) BAROCKEY has enough class to beat these but she may need one coming off a break and post 9 probably isn’t ideal for her.
Race 10 – (3) HAMMERING HALEY rarely loses at this track racing at this level and she will be tough here. (1) EVAS BEST GIRL should get a better start here and that gives her a chance to trip out in the choice’s pocket; using. (5) GREY BELL comes off a blowout win vs. weaker but this is a much tougher task and I’ll use her on the bottom.
Race 11 – In a race where it looks like anything goes, I’ll take a swing with (1) ST LADS ELEKTRA who finally draws inside and should get put into play early. (7) IMCAROLTOO wins more regularly than any of her rivals and pilot Mackenzie should put her into action early; using. (4) THRIFT SHOP should be near the front most of the way and that gives her a chance in a field with little form. (2) SHANIAS IMAGE should get a good drafting trip and take a slice. (5) AVICII draws better here and she can land in the High-5 ticket.
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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