Best Bet – (2) ESPRIT DEQUIPE – Race 3
Spot Play – (7) SUNSHINEINMYPOCKET - Race 8
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,2,3/1,5/2/2,3/1,2,5,6 = $9.60
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6 – 2,4/3,6/2,4,7/3,6/1,3,5 = $14.40
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 2/2,3/1,2,5,6/2,4 = $3.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7 – 3,6/2,4,7/3,6/1,3,5 = $7.20
Race 1 — (2) CHUCK HEATON LOVE moves up off the claim but he is a 7-time winner facing many win-shy types here. He might lead this group all the way; top call. (1) THUNDER ROMPS can improve here returning a bit quicker after missing four weeks between starts last time, and he could get a great trip; using. (3) FINKLE IS EINHORN looks good in this spot but he has only one win in 24 tries. He is worth a look for the Pick 5, but I wouldn’t take a short price in the win pool.
Race 2 — (1) TIOGA SUNSHINE looks to double up here, and she should have a big shot from the rail facing only four rivals. (5) MOLISE will be the one to hold off, having fallen only a neck short to the choice last time. (4) OKEEHEELEE used the rail to advantage at Grand River. I see her rounding out the Tri tonight.
Race 3 — (2) ESPRIT DEQUIPE is obvious here shipping in from Mohawk Park, and facing easier and drawing inside. She is a Pick 5 single for me. (1) LAILA BLUE should secure the pocket leaving and follow the choice throughout to complete the Exacta. (5) KOUNNIS raced okay at this level last week but I don’t see her making the lead tonight. I’ll use her underneath.
Race 4 — (3) KEEPITINPERSPCTIVE moves inside coming off a win here last week, and she has a good chance to repeat in this field. (2) GREYSTONE TREASURE should be the one to catch again, and she is the other one that I’ll use on multi-race tickets. (6) LILI GL moves outside and faces tougher. I see her taking a small share here.
Race 5 — (5) FRILLS N LACE has produced two good closing efforts in a row and she draws better here. I’ll call for her to knock off likely favorite (6) DRY CREEK IMAGE. The latter brushed and crushed with Sorrie in the bike and that teamster sticks here. She should be the one to catch. (1) COLD CREEK LACEY gets away from the tough Erikas Shadow and she is another in with a shot, especially starting from the best post. (2) ASBRAVEASMYMOMMA should get another good following trip and she can stick around for a share. (9) MISS BRANDI K should get a following trip and land in the High-5.
Race 6 — (2) SECRETS LADY has faced tougher for many starts in a row and she should be solid vs. these starting from the inside. (4) SO AWESOME was in some tough races in Ohio and she is fast enough for these. She’s the other one that I’ll use in multi-race tickets. (1) WOODMERE WYLDSTYLE fits decently here and should get a good trip. She should be an exotics factor here.
Race 7 — (3) SICARIO was picked off by the pocket sitter last week and that rival, (6) ARRAKIS, draws widest here. I’ll give the former top call and use both on multi-race tickets. (2) POWER AND GRACE should sit a trip racing near the front and hang around to land in the Tri.
Race 8 — (7) SUNSHINEINMYPOCKET is in peak form and drawing outside will only help her price tonight; top call. (4) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL faces easier in this third start racing out of the Barrington barn since the claim, and she could break out here; using. (2) TURNING THE TABLE knows how to win and she figures to get a much better trip moving to an inside post. She is another in with a realistic chance here.
Race 9 — (3) SMOKE N REACTOR N did all the work last time and was probably unlucky to get picked off late. I’ll give her the nod here over class dropper (6) MANHATTAN NIGHT who should be tough racing at this level. (1) CAYO LOCO is very sharp at the moment, and she should be in the exotics mix again tonight.
Race 10 — (3) BRUTUSTHEBARBARIAN gets post relief and he should be hard to hold off because he will likely be positioned closer to the front here; top call. (1) MELODY MAKER fits well and he could wake up in this spot if he can stay flat this week. (5) DELIGHTFUL MAGIC was in the hunt every week at Grand River. He should be in the exotics mix vs. these. (6) FERN HILL FLIGHT can improve in this second local start, but from out there I’ll use him on the bottom. (7) COMBATANT should be passing some horses late. Consider him for the bottom of the High-5.
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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.
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