Best Bet - (3) JAY EYE EM - Race 1
Spot Play - (8) NORTHERN DREAM - Race 7
Early Pick 4 - 3,6,8,9/2,3/3,4,5/3,5 = $9.60
Late Pick 4: 3,5/3,5,8/1,2/4,5,7 = $7.20
Race 1- (3) JAY EYE EM made two moves to take a new life's mark here last week and he should be tough right back facing similar. (2) BR EZLIKSNDYMORNIN couldn't hold off the choice last week and this really sets up as a two-horse race. (5) MIGHTY MACH has a strong late kick and he should pass a couple of these to fill out the Triactor.
Race 2 - (1) TOOT TOOT N draws perfectly here for a big speed try or a nice pocket trip. He gets the nod. (2) DRAGON STRIKER ships in from Mohawk Park and picks up hot driver Anthony Haughan; Exactor factor. (3) FOOL ME ONCE steps up off a nice win at Grand River but he may find the inside too tough here.
Race 3 - Interesting race with a few chances, I'll go with the two firsters on top siding with (8) THE GUNSLINGER who qualified well over Mohawk Park. (3) LIBERO HANOVER takes on some elders for his debut, but he finished well in his qualifier and The Stable sends them to win early. (6) NORTHERN TAILWIND merits a look being the lone winner in the race and having taken a mark of 2:00 in May.
Race 4 - (2) MAN IN BLACK and (3) COOL HAND LUCAN finished right together in a highly-rated mile last week and this race should come down to one or the other of these two. (4) ONEDARKKNIGHT failed as chalk at Flamboro but he figures to fill out the Triactor or Superfecta in this spot.
Race 5 - (5) BETTER DECISION ships in from Delaware in great form and moves into a barn that can move up new acquisitions; top call. (4) CENALTA CALL GIRL is hot and last week's win was particularly impressive; using. (3) SHADOW WORLD might have needed that first start where she was nailed late. If she improves here, look out.
Race 6 - (3) ANDERSON SEELSTER faces easier here and she beat similar three starts back at Mohawk Park. She gets the nod over (5) DAZZLING ROCKETTE who was a winner in this class at Flamboro three starts back. (1) AINT THREE OK is stuck on one win this year so far. She should get a good trip here and at least hit the board.
Race 7 - (8) NORTHERN DREAM appreciated the class relief last time and converted with a win. The outer post doesn't worry me here. Veteran driver Byron isn't afraid to send one from the outside. (3) FRICK was a good second to the choice, and she figures here. (5) AUSTIN HALL looks next best; using underneath. (1) OLYMPIC GLIDE is always around the money and he should hit the Superfecta at a minimum. (7) PASI VON BENTZ is an interesting shipper who could better this placing with a decent trip.
Race 8 - (2) MUSCLE GEM gritted out a tough win last week and he may be able to work out a slightly easier trip here; top call. (1) LUCYS MAN wasn't far behind the choice and he may get a perfect pocket trip here; using. (7) WILMA C races tough every week, but she has to overcome the worst post here. I'll put her on the bottom of the Triactor from out there.
Race 9 - (4) CHIEFS BEACH may have gone too fast too soon last week and the horse that overtook him in the lane looked loaded in the pocket the entire mile. Given any breather here, he will be tough to beat. (7) VILLAGE CHAMP lands in a better spot here and he can be the main danger. (5) GENESSEE SEELSTER steps up off a strong win, but he could get a good trip following the choice here so he's hard to leave out. (6) SHRIMP AND GRITS should be closing for a slice again. (8) J M MANDAMIN should wake up in this spot and he's a good one to use in the 3-4-5 slots in the exotics.
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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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