Best Bet – (3) JESSICAS LEGACY – Race 9
Spot Play – (5) THRIFT SHOP – Race 4
Race 1 – (2) FLEXIE comes off a strong effort and she draws well here. She should get more aggressive early in this spot and she is the one to beat. (1) RIDDLE ME MISS gets post relief here which should translate into a better result. (3) SCHRADER HANOVER also draws better, and he should be heard from in this spot.
Race 2 – (6) DON’T EXCLUDE ME exits a fast race and he was passing horses late which is a good sign despite him being well-beaten. This isn’t the toughest spot; slight nod. (4) SECRET SUMMER also showed some promise in his debut and slight improvement puts him right there vs. these. (7) ROCKABILLY BARBIE is the third horse in here making its second start and she is in with a shot although post does her no favours.
Race 3 – (1) BLACKCREEK ROSEBUD comes in off a win, draws inside and gets a top driver. She gets the nod here over (4) SELENIUM, who also looks to double up and draws well. (2) BETTE MITTLER could land in the pocket early and end up splitting the top two for the Exacta.
Race 4 – (5) THRIFT SHOP was a winner last time Richardson drove her three starts back and that driver returns. She also figures to get a setup for her late kick; top call. (2) WATT MACHS ME WIN should be the one to catch moving back to an inside post; Exacta factor. (4) MYSTERY MIDNIGHT is in solid form and she should be heard from here, but I prefer to use her underneath.
Race 5 – (1) ANOTHER GREAT PICK is usually tough when he draws inside, and I look for veteran pilot Battin to supply an aggressive steer in this spot. (3) BRAVADO SEELSTER also draws much better and notice he was sent down the road from the 7-hole here two starts back. (2) ACEFORTYFOURTALON should get a good spot early and he is another in with a decent chance in this contentious race.
Race 6 – (7) LAUTNER SEELSTER exits the fastest races and he picks up the leading driver here racing off the fresh claim; top call despite post. (2) ATEYATEFNGRSLOUIE is right there every week and tonight should be no different. (3) BANDICOOT may be the one to catch again but he is likely best used underneath here.
Race 7 – (2) FLUENTOCITY and (6) CASIMIR OVRDRIVE have 8 wins each this year facing six rivals that total three wins among all of them. I will give the former the nod due to post position advantage. (1) GOOD EYE HAWKEYE should sit a good trip racing near the front here and hit the ticket.
Race 8 – (4) MAMMOTH JACK exits the toughest races and you have to think he will be put into action early vs. these; top call. (1) PRINCE ADIRAN gets post relief here and he should be prominent throughout vs. these. (2) IM SO GIDDY’s good recent qualifier makes her interesting for the bottom of the exotics here.
Race 9 – (3) JESSICAS LEGACY drops to a logical spot here and I expect Richardson to send her right down the road. (5) ONE CHILLY NIGHT is worth a look for the Exacta at a price picking up driver Holliday. (1) NORTHERN PRIMA draws much better here and she can ride a following trip to a board finish.
Race 10 – (5) DIVA DALI comes off a decent effort, now she gets her nose back on the gate at the start; slight nod. (1) SOS NOSTOPPINMENOW is the obvious danger moving from the worst post to the best starting slot and likely being sent right to the front at the outset. (4) SUNNY BO’s sharp early speed puts him in the mix for 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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