Best Bet – (1) QUEEN OF HEARTS – Race 7
Spot Play – (3) RON – Race 10
20-Cent Pick 5 - Race 1 – 1,2/2,3,7/2,3/1,5,6/1,2,3 = $21.60
20-Cent Pick 4 - Race 7 – 1,2/4,6/5,6,7/3 = $2.40
20-Cent All Stakes Pick 5 - Race 9 – 5,6,7/3/1,2/1,2,3/1,4 = $7.20
41st ANNUAL CHARITY DRIVER'S CHALLENGE
Race 1 — (1) RUNAWAY HEIRESS raced great in defeat here last week now she gets McClure and the rail; top call in the opener of the guaranteed $5,000 Pick 5. (2) BLUEWATER BEACH exits a tougher race and picks up Jamieson today. She should be the main threat. (3) MACH MINE BLUE was a game winner here last week but this is tougher; small share predicted.
Race 2 — (2) ALLY FLIGHT has speed, draws well and he picks up McNair for this. That could be the formula for a maiden win today. (3) POPLAR DUKE was a game first-over winner here last week, and he figures to be the main danger. (7) LYONS DRINKINGABUD got an impossible trip last week and he still wasn’t beaten far. He’s worth a look for the Pick 5 with McClure in the bike.
Race 3 — (3) WHO SAID NOT TO is the speed of the race and he gets paired up with Henry here who many consider the best 1/2-mile track driver in the country. He will have to be caught. (2) HARD ROCK is tempting coming off a big win and picking up driver Macdonald, but he will have to be careful not to let the choice get away on him. He can win, but I wouldn’t take a short price. (7) TOMITTA BAYAMA is right there every week, and he can take another share today despite drawing poorly.
Race 4 — (6) BRAVADO SEELSTER has some of the best recent form, and he gets McClure for this. I’ll give him the nod despite the bad post draw. (1) JAKE PARRISH figures here drawing the rail and getting McNair, but he has only one win in his past 55 starts, so what price would you accept? (5) INSINCERITY fits well here, and she could provide some Pick 5 value; using.
Race 5 — (1) CENTURY HARLOT is in good form, and she should take advantage of drawing the rail here and go right down the road. (3) MOONLITEBEACH draws well and picks up Jamieson. She figures to be the main threat. (2) THREE SMILES took a shuffle last week. She could spring an upset with McClure at the controls today. Give her a look for the Pick 5.
Race 6 — (8) ADORE HIM faced tougher here last time and he almost lasted. I can see him launching a first-over assault today, and he gets top billing. (2) SIGNIFICANCE should get an aggressive steer from Henry here and that makes her a threat. (7) SHES A SASSY BEACH would be rated higher from a better post. From out there, I can only use her underneath.
Race 7 — (1) QUEENOFHEARTS was an easy winner two starts back when she drew the rail, and she will be tough to beat here with Henry in the bike. (2) HOWMAC SABRINA could land in the choice’s pocket leaving the gate and that makes her dangerous in this spot. (3) THREE GEMS is worth a look for the exotics picking up McClure to drive today.
Race 8 — (6) IAM WHAT I AM made two moves when narrowly defeated here last week, and Henry should be utilizing his sharp gate speed today; top call. (4) MACKJUSTICE has been facing tougher, and he is the other one that should be blasting for position; Exacta factor. (2) RIDDLE ME MISS has a good closing kick but she usually falls short with her rally; small share predicted.
Race 9 — (5) STEWS WATCHING is in much easier today, and he is 2 for 2 in Grassroots company so far this year. He should be tough in here. (7) FOX VALLEY CARLIN has really turned up his speed with McClure driving in his past two starts. If he is close at the 3/4 pole, look out! (6) STONE CARVER drops out of a Grand Circuit race, and he is another that merits a look for the all-stakes guaranteed $5,000 Pick 5.
Race 10 — (3) RON was buried behind a wall of horses and lacked room for the entire stretch drive in his last race. Henry will be sending him here, and he should prove tough to catch. (4) CHIKABOOM qualified nicely for this but he will be at a tactical disadvantage chasing the choice. I’ll play to beat him today. (1) MESSIAH should be good for a share starting from the rail with McNair.
Race 11 — (1) HIGHBORN showed little in his most recent start but he has the gate speed to take advantage of the rail, and he might lead all the way here. (2) SPORTS ADVISOR was third in a good race last time, and he figures to be the main threat; using. (7) LYONS PRIDE would be rated higher had he drawn better but from out there I’ll use him underneath.
Race 12 — (1) SPORTS FAN is in top form, and he should be tough to beat from the rail with MacDonald driving today. (2) JUJU HANOVER is still a maiden but there are some things to like about his form and drawing well helps today; using. (3) ICEY SHADOW exits a tough race, and he isn’t without a chance here, but I prefer to use him on the bottom.
Race 13 — This race shapes up as a battle between the two Century’s and I’ll side with (1) CENTURY IGLESIAS over (4) CENTURY INVICTUS. The former closed like a jet in his most recent win, and he should be tough starting from the rail. The latter will be looking for the front early but he could get hung out by the choice. Either are good Pick 5 options. (5) MY BLUEBERRY BUCK looks next best and he has a good shot of rounding out a chalky Tri.
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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 six years. He is also a past president of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
Photo by Dave Landry
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