Best Bet – (4) HERCULE J M – Race 7
Spot Play – (3) DEAN STREET – Race 2
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 3,5/3/3,7/1,5/2,3,6 = $4.80
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 1,2,3/4/5,7/1,7/3,7 = $4.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3: 3,7/1,5/2,3,6/1,2,3 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7: 4/5,7/1,7/3,7 = $1.60
Race 1 — (3) BETTORS VICTORY stands out based on his fast win here on 12/8, but he is likely to be a prohibitive favourite tonight as he faces what appears to be an easier group. (5) DYLAN SAM moves out of claiming handicaps, and he should be the main challenger to the choice. He is the logical alternative if you are trying to beat that one. (4) TEETER looks next best coming off a nice win in the snow; exotics factor.
Race 2 — The horse that won the race that (3) DEAN STREET exits has already come back to win the opening leg of a claiming stakes series at Mohawk Park. This gelding looks solid against this group, and he gets top call. (2) QUINSFRISKYWHISKEY improved sharply last week, and he should be an Exacta factor tonight. (4) E L LONELY CHARLIE gets needed post relief tonight, and he should be good for a share in this spot.
Race 3 — (7) ROCKINMYDREAM raced okay vs. $15K claimers, now he drops to the bottom in a race where he is likely to stalk early then try to ambush the leaders. I like him in this spot. (3) SHIFTING VIEWS, winner of two of his last three and holding post position advantage tonight, is the one to beat; using. (5) UNDER WARRANTY beat easier last week. He seems like one to use on the bottom tonight.
Race 4 — (1) ESPRIT DEQUIPE raced against tougher in London on Tuesday and she almost got the job done. She should wire this group if she, in fact, goes to the gate. (5) HAPPY LOOKER should find this spot more to her liking, and she is one to consider for early multi-race tickets. (6) FERN HILL BELLA flashed early speed in a Pop Up event. She should be able to land in the Tri vs. these.
Race 5 — (3) WATCH MY SPEED beat many of these last week and, from an inside post, she will be the one to catch again; top call. (2) ASBRAVEASMYMOMMA has upset potential here moving inside tonight; using. (6) WOODMERE ROLLILY is in sharp form but post hurts her tonight; demand a price. (1) DOUBLE T GRRR is in solid form, and she should be part of the exotics tonight. (4) LADY OXFORD is another getting post relief that should be in the High-5.
Race 6 — (3) UPTHECREDITWITHART was right there with fast fractions most of the way at Mohawk Park last week. She should find these claimers easier, and I’ll give her the nod. (1) LADY KAREN was used hard at London last time, and she should have a better chance starting from the rail this week; using. (2) STEELY DAWN races much better from inside posts, and she is the third one that I’ll use on multi-race tickets.
Race 7 — (4) HERCULE J M looks mighty tough here coming off a dominating win last week vs. easier; top call. Improving (1) PROBERTS LEGACY should get another good following trip tonight, and he could add some value to the Exacta. (2) AMAZON DRAGON gets class and post relief tonight, and he should improve enough to take a share.
Race 8 — (5) WHISKEY TO WINE got brutalized chasing tougher at Mohawk Park on 12/6, and she did well to stick around for 3rd. She is my clear top choice here. (7) LADY TO WATCH – winner of three of her last four – is the one to fear but the choice has post position advantage on her. (2) TURNING THE TABLE comes out of the same race as the choice but she had a better trip and was far back of that rival; small share predicted.
Race 9 — (7) REAL WICKED was a sharp winner off the claim at London on Monday night, and it could be argued that he beat better than he faces here; call to repeat. (1) ROYALE BIG GUY should be the main threat racing off the Riley claim and drawing the rail; using. (4) ALWAYSYOURWAY comes off a good first over effort, and he should be good for a share tonight.
Race 10 — (3) TOWN DELINQUENT should handle this group on the drop and pop. (7) SHES A SASSY BEACH also gets class relief here, and she should be heard from in this spot; Exacta factor. (8) LAND OF PARADISE would be rated higher had she drawn better. From out there, I see her taking a small share. (4) SIGNIFICANCE is in the top four every week, and she should continue that streak here. (1) CELIA BAYAMA figures to take a small share off a good following trip.
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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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