Best Bet - (2) DECEPTION SEELSTER - Race 2
Spot Play - (8) THRU THE WICKETS - Race 4
Early Pick 4 - 3,4,7/1,2,8/5,6/1,7 = $7.20
Late Pick 4 - 1,7/1,5,8/4,5,6/1,3,4,5,7 = $18
Race 1 - (3) ORDER MATTIE seems to be the only sure-gaited horse in this race and she comes off a win taken at Kawartha Downs last week; call to repeat. (5) FIGHT AGAIN put it all together last time to take his maiden win. He should be a speed threat. (4) P L MOLLY is capable, but her gait issues are a big concern and I wouldn't take a short price here.
Race 2 - (2) DECEPTION SEELSTER raced very tough to just miss here last Sunday and he should be hard to beat from post 2. (3) DONT WRITE ME OUT is stuck on one win, but last week's effort was an improvement and he can close to take a good share here. (5) BUELLER was behind the top two last week. Another minor award is likely for him here.
Race 3 - (7) DAZZLING ROCKETTE should get a solid pace to chase here and she may roll by them all late. (3) SLY ELEANOR N is another who should get a good stalking trip here and she should be a late threat. (4) ANDERSON SEELSTER could not repel the choice late in the mile last time, but she is a legitimate speed threat here again.
Race 4 - (8) THRU THE WICKETS race two back makes her a top contender here and if she stays trotting this time she could pop at a price. (1) KADASTROPHIC showed the required speed to win this in his June 18th qualifier, but he has yet to stay on stride under the lights racing for a purse; your call. (2) JUST FOR ME NU is sent out by a barn that had three two-year-old debut winners in Ontario last night and they all beat three-year-olds so mark this filly down as a top contender here.
Race 5 - (6) JIMINY BEACH lands in a good spot here to turn things around and take his maiden win; top call. (5) D GS SHALLWEDANCE rates highly off Tuesday's strong mile and he is a Pick 4 must-use for me. (4) HOPE FOR HEAVEN also comes off a good try but he seems more likely to take a smaller share.
Race 6 - (7) NORTHERN DREAM shoots for three straight wins here and if she clears quickly as expected, she will be tough to beat. (1) BLUE MAGIC takes a big class drop and draws inside. She is the one to fear. (4) PASI VON BENTZ raced okay in his North American debut and he is a good one to use underneath here.
Race 7 - (8) P L MELISSA had everything go wrong last time. Getting to race against lesser may be the elixir; top call. (1) GLOBETROTTING has trained well all winter and her barn sends them all out to win at first asking; using. (5) MS MASTERPIECE comes off a solid effort here last week and a middle-of-the-gate post should be good for her; using. (2) GARD LOUIGGI can tag along and take a smaller share. (9) THE GUNSLINGER is worth a look for the bottom of the High-5 at a price.
Race 8 - (4) PRETTY HANDSOME gets a driver change here, but that shouldn't matter as he's the best horse and just needs a reasonable trip. (5) ROYAL RENEGADE has been on fire since shipping east and he should be the main threat. (6) IMSPORTY gets Drury here and I'll use him as the third option for the Pick 4.
Race 9 - (7) BR EZLIKSNDYMORNIN kicks home quickly each week and he looks best here. (5) MOONWRITER could wake up in this spot if he gets sent at the start; beware. (4) TOOT TOOT N comes off a sharp effort and he classes up well here; using. (1) BROCKS FORTUNE's June 18th qualifier could be an indicator that he has solved his gait issue. He's not out of this. (3) INDIGO ART faces easier here and he is another with a chance in a competitive field.
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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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