Best Bet – (5) GENESSEE SEELSTER – Race 2
Spot Play – (3) D GS SHALLWEDANCE – Race 6
Early Pick 4 – 2,5/4,6,8/1,2,6/1,3,5 - $10.80
Late Pick 4 – 1,4,5,9/3,4,5/2,4,7,10/2,6 = $19.20
Race 1- (1) CONFESSION SESSION wasn’t far off in this class last time now she gets major post relief here and she has a big shot vs. these. (2) DEBT COLLECTOR looked a winner, but he was overhauled late by a big favorite who was winning for the second time in a row at Georgian. He should be the one to catch again. (6) ARCHWAY broke and caused confusion turning for home at Clinton. He’s capable of a good effort if he behaves.
Race 2 – (5) GENESSEE SEELSTER was a big winner twice straight here in June then was in tough in a Grassroots race at Mohawk Park. He should bounce back here as the chalk. (4) DECEPTION SEELSTER raced tough uncovered on the rim in two straight. He looks next best. (1) STILL IN TOUCH gets Filion here but he still appears to be best used underneath in this spot.
Race 3 – (5) KADASTROPHIC has put it all together recently and he will take beating here going for his third win in a row. (2) DELCREST RONNIE gets major post relief here and on paper appears to be the most obvious one capable of upsetting the choice if he gets the right trip. (6) MULAN ANGEL dropped more than six seconds in his second qualifier; consider for the exotics.
Race 4 – (6) RED HOT TORCH was overmatched last time but he beat some of these two starts back and he gets the nod here. (4) ARCANUM comes off a solid win and he produced a strong final quarter in that race; using. (8) TYMAL TULLO is 0 for 17 but he’s capable of a good try vs. these if he can stay flat; using.
Race 5 – (2) ENDURING STRENGTH has been well-prepped by a barn that has been on fire with their two-year-olds so far in 2019. He may like the shorter track, too; top call. (6) HORSE TRADER is by an exciting first crop sire and his qualifier was very good; using. (1) THE REINS OF TITAN gets driver Roy and the rail post and he has had a start. I’ll toss him on my Pick 4 ticket.
Race 6 – (3) D GS SHALLWEDANCE may have waited too long last time because when he made his move the winner had got the jump already. He can make amends here. (5) PRIVILEGE tracked a strong winner the whole way last time in a good effort. He fits well here. (1) JIMINY BEACH gets driver Macdonald here so he may get more aggressive; using in the Pick 4 also.
Race 7 – (1) FREEDOM EXPRESS had one of the fastest qualifiers and gets Roy and the rail; slight nod in what looks like a wide-open race. (9) LEXUS MARKUS raced well in his lone qualifier and driver Henry has been on fire everywhere he drives recently. The 9-hole may add some value for this one. (4) MOR MUSCLE MASS improved nicely in his second qualifier; using. (5) REMEMBER TITANS goes for a barn that makes their living winning with young horses and he’s worth a price look here. (2) LMC HOPE can trip out and sneak onto the High-5.
Race 8 – This is a great race with several possibilities. I look for Roy to trip out (4) FASHIONONTHEBEACH and chase the speed down late. (3) PRETTY HANDSOME comes to play every week and he’s hard to leave off Pick 4 tickets. (5) AMERICAN WIGGLE has been facing some tough ones at Mohawk Park. He should go better here.
Race 9 – (4) SOLID can beat these if he behaves and races back to his June 22nd qualifier; top call. (2) DIMANTE VIC gets the barn’s main driver here going for a purse and sharp improvement is possible. (10) TUSCAN TITAN has one of the fastest qualifiers. I’ll toss him in the Pick 4.
Race 10 – (2) JAY EYE EM has been very sharp for several weeks and he should be tough to beat from an inside post here. (6) PILLAGE AND BURN left hard, tucked, took a shuffle then came on again in a good effort and the winner of that race is gone. He’s a contender here. (1) SIR GALAHAD should workout a good trip and make it onto the Triactor ticket. (5) INDIGO ART is capable, but the expected pace scenario doesn’t favor him here and he may get over bet. I’ll use him underneath. (8) JOES BID can come on late for a share and add some value to the exotics 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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