Best Bet – (6) AVATAR J - Race 4
Spot Play – (6) MISTER X - Race 6
20-cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 - 1,6/2,6/2,5/1,4,6,7,9 = $8
20-cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8 - 1,2,4/3,6/1,3/1,5 = $4.80
Race 1 – (1) LAND OF ROYALTY draws inside for the first race in a long time and he won from the 6-hole in this class two starts back; top call. (6) AJKNIGHT looks like a different horse this year and he could have much more speed in his arsenal than what you see from his lone 2020 qualifier; beware. (2) DOVER SEELSTER seems to fit well here but he could get overbet in a race where he is no lock.
Race 2 – Driver Borth has changed (5) LEAFS AND WINGS tactics to get him involved earlier in the mile and it has paid dividends. I'll give him the nod over (2) STONEBRIDGE SCOUT who came close to fending him off last week. (1) LAWMEN REIGN should sit a great trip here and he is in the mix for the Exacta and Tri.
Race 3 – (6) VILLAGE CHAMP was a predictable winner last week and this assignment doesn't look much tougher; call to repeat. (1) LET ME SEE was a winner three starts back from this post then drew second tier slots in two straight. He figures to be right there this time. (2) KID GENIUS should get a better trip here and he could sneak into the Exacta.
Race 4 – (6) AVATAR J drops to his easiest spot in a long time; no excuses here. (2) SHIPPEN OUT figures to get sent forward leaving the gate and he should be the main danger. (1) GMC TROOPER should race close to the front throughout and land in the Tri or Super.
Race 5 – (2) EATAAMSMAGICMEME faces easier, adds Lasix and driver Kelly has been hot here for a while; top call. (5) SUMTHINBOUTIM should be a big threat here if he is sound and ready, but those are the questions that will be answered on the track. (4) OZZIE YOUNG was sharp last week but this is tougher. I'll use him underneath.
Race 6 – (6) MISTER X gets a huge driver change here and I suspect he could get sent to the front leaving the gate; call to upset. (4) DO YA THINK is a Mohawk Park shipper who is hard to leave out despite missing a couple of weeks. (7) C L SPORTACTION figures here and post 7 should help his price; using. (1) DAM LUCKY will show speed again and he should hang on for a piece of this High-5. (9) GRITS N GRAVY would be rated higher if he had his nose on the gate. He can beat this prediction if he gets a decent trip.
Race 7 – (3) SECRETLY FLASHY was a good 2nd here on Friday and she gets the nod if she goes here on short rest. (2) AMERICAN PAGEANT tries hard every week and she will get there one of these weeks soon. (1) WESTVIEW SUE should get put into action early and if she makes front early, she could be hard to beat.
Race 8 – (1) NATIONAL DEBT draws best for the second week straight and he should take beating again here. (4) PAPARAZZI HANOVER comes in off a nice win at Flamboro Downs and he could blast and last here if he is allowed to clear to the front. (2) JAY EYE EM is capable if he is ready to race his best, but the sick scratch and time missed are two concerns.
Race 9 – (6) DEBT COLLECTOR is best in here if he doesn't break like he did last week; your call. (3) ARCHWAY is the logical alternative to the choice. I'll use him in this Pick 4. (2) ROYALTYS PEARL draws better and she should sit a trip near the front and take a slice.
Race 10 - This looks like a spot where driver Ketros will look to send (1) EASTON BEACH down the road. Catch him to greet the cashier. (3) SPORTS JACKET had a horrendous trip last week now he gets a driver change. He's possible here. (2) KENNY JOE can work his way into the Trifecta here starting from a good post.
Race 11 - (1) HES GOT SWAGGER drops from the top class and from the rail he should have a great chance of leading these all the way. (5) BLUE MOOSE is always a threat when racing at The Raceway and he's the second one that I'll use in this late Pick 4. (8) SHADOW MARGEAUX projects to get a great following trip after leaving behind the choice and he should be in the Tri. (9) BOOMBOOM BALLYKEEL is another who can get a good trip here; using underneath. (3) BRAVADO SEELSTER is in good form and he can pass some of these and add some value to the High-5.
Photo by John Watkins
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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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