Best Bet – (4) PILLAGE AND BURN – Race 8
Spot Play – (4) ST LADS CASH – Race 5
Early Pick 4 – 6,8/3,4/3,4/2,8 = $3.20
Late Pick 4 – 1,2,3/4/2,3/1,3,4 = $3.60
Race 1 - The night kicks off with a Racing Under Saddle event and (2) LETS LEAVEM is the local king of these races. He will have to be caught. (3) ALL OUT HENRY finished only a head back of the choice in the RUS race at Hanover, but he gets a new rider here, I’ll use him underneath. (4) GOTAGETMESOMATHAT qualified impressively for this and he gets a veteran RUS rider here. He has an upset chance.
Race 2 – (1) CONFLICT DIAMOND was a powerful winner here in this class last time and he should be very tough right back. (4) HEZA BIG DEALER raced okay vs. tougher at Mohawk Park and he should be an Exacta factor vs. these. (7) WEB CAM is right there every week it seems, but he was no match for the choice last time. I’ll use him on the bottom here.
Race 3 – (6) FERN AND DANDY displayed explosive early speed in her August 6th qualifier. She may be able to bottom out this field with a similar effort. (8) AMERICAN PAGEANT is the “form” horse of the race and she should be right in the mix again. (5) RADICAL ROY is racing decently, and he can likely take a share vs. these.
Race 4 – (3) NATES BUCKY comes off a win where he set solid fractions and kept on; call to repeat. (4) MR BIG W looks like the main threat also coming off a win, but he enjoyed slower fractions than the choice. (2) HIGHLAND BOGART is a good one to use on the bottom of Tris and Supers in this spot.
Race 5 – (4) ST LADS CASH got too far back last time. Post relief should make a big difference here and he gets my top call. (3) BRINGER OF RAIN is right there every week and using his good gate speed he should be a big threat again. (1) JETSET CHARMER should be passing horses late to take a slice.
Race 6 – (8) EZEE TIGUAN is in super form and the worst post may not stop him from doubling up here. (2) CAVIARS TRIUMPH goes for The Stable.ca following a private purchase and he is priced to win; using. (4) GOLDIES ROCKET narrowly won off a perfect trip last time and these should be tougher; small share predicted.
Race 7 – (1) WINDSONG GRAYSON is in a good spot to trip out again; call to repeat. (2) DASHMIRA almost lasted at Hanover and this isn’t the toughest spot. I’ll use him in my Pick 4 ticket. (3) JOLTED gets veteran Mackenzie in the bike here. He’s worth a look at a price. (6) SIX FLAGS can leave, sit a trip and hang around for a slice. (7) ILL BE BACK raced better last time and although he hasn’t made it into an Exacta yet this year, he can crack the High-5 here.
Race 8 – (4) PILLAGE AND BURN – the night’s Best Bet – drops and he should handle this group. (6) L WEATHER B moves in from Mohawk Park and is the most logical one to complete the Exacta. (5) MISTER X can get brave on the front end, but the choice isn’t likely to let that happen here; using underneath.
Race 9 – (2) WINDSONG NAPOLEON was out a long way pressing the leader last time and understandably tired late. He can prevail here if he gets a slightly easier trip. (3) LITTLE CLAYT is always dangerous at this level and he should be a big threat here leaving from an inside post. (6) JULERICA is capable of better. Maybe the driver switch to Kelly here will help.
Race 10 – (1) LISVINNIE lays over these on class and he draws bets. Kerwood should be on the move early with this gelding. (3) CAMSKING will be the one to catch coming off a win where he led throughout; using. (4) STOMPIN TOM CREEK is worth a look for the Pick 4 dropping in for a tag here. (6) BRANDON HANOVER raced okay here at this level last week, but post does him no favors and I’ll use him on the bottom of the Super. (5) UF BETTORS HANOVER should be passing horses late and he could better this prediction with a trip.
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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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