Best Bet – (2) MOLLIE Z TAM
Spot Play – (7) BOURBON SEELSTER
Race 1 – The opener to this card looks like it may come down to the two morning line favorites and of that duo, I’ll give (4) MOTOWN MISSILE the edge mainly because he has been sure-gaited so far. (5) FASHION ROAD finished well ahead of the choice last time they met but her frequent breaking issues are concerning; your call. (1) HIDDEN ASPECT looks best of the rest in this small field.
Race 2 – (2) MOLLIE Z TAM is on a roll right now and I don’t see it being stopped here. A threepeat looms. (1) SWEET QUEEN COLE may get the best trip leaving from the inside and she is an Exactor factor. (3) DAENERYS was no match for the choice last week, but she did hang in for second and she is an exotics factor again.
Race 3 – This is a tough race with little form to go on. I’ll give (3) EWALD HANOVER a shot making his third start back and drawing a better post for this. (1) MUNNDUTCH was an easy winner last time he raced here leaving from an inside post in a similar class. He is probably the one to catch. (4) DEADLY ACTION – with 17 thirds in the past 20 months of racing – is always a good one to toss on the bottom of Tri bets.
Race 4 – (2) FRIDAY MEETING looks ready to produce a big debut effort based on her impressive lone qualifier and she gets my nod over (4) GRANDPE KNOWS BEST who comes in off a solid debut effort. (1) MACHING TIME has raced well a few times in a row and the rail post won’t hurt but I prefer to use him underneath.
Race 5 – (1) IM THE MAN’s race two starts back at Georgian Downs puts him right there with these and he could bring a square price due to his most recent line; price play. (5) TYS LITTLE DREAM recorded a nice win two starts back here and she is likely the one to beat in this spot. (4) A WHOLE LOTTA SASS can leave, sit a trip and make it onto the Triactor ticket.
Race 6 – (7) BOURBON SEELSTER shows nothing but wins on her card any time she has raced at this track and I hope we can get something close to the 5 to 1 morning line quote here with her starting from the outermost post. (6) MR MACH JIMMY comes off a season’s-best winning effort and he should be tough right back. The classy veteran (4) LEAFS AND WINGS should be coming in late for a share.
Race 7 – (3) BALLPARKFRANK is the one to catch again in this spot and he gets a slight nod over (2) MACH ART IN MOTION, who projects to get a sweet trip riding in his pocket. (1) SHADOW SUE faces a tougher task here, but she can parlay a following trip into a board finish.
Race 8 – (7) LUCKY BEACH exits the fastest and toughest race and if driver House rolls him to the front off the gate, he may have these at his mercy. (1) ZARKANA figures to trip well near the front and take a big piece of this purse. (2) ARAZI is the other quick leaver who should be in the top flight early and fight for the win late.
Race 9 – (4) THINK AGAIN likely holds the upper hand in this short field because he is sure to blast the front then try to control the race from there; top call. (5) SHIPPEN OUT finished ahead of the choice last time but he may be at a tactical disadvantage here. Either way he is an obvious Exactor factor. (1) MYBROTHERGEORGE should be passing a couple of these late to get on the board.
Race 10 – (7) A YANKEE FEELN moves in two posts here and that may be all it takes for him to get back on track; top call in the finale. (3) BET ON ART is in terrific form right now and he should be the one to hold off late in the mile. (1) STONEY DURKIN should ride a great trip to a high placing 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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