Best Bet – (1) BUCKYS ANGEL – Race 8
Spot Play – (2) LMC SMORES – Race 5
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,6/1,4/1,2,5,7,8/2,5/2,3,5 = $24.00
20-Cent Pick 4 – Race 4 – 2,5/2,3,5/2,5/1,2,8 = $7.20
Race 1- (1) RHYTHM SEELSTER beat many of these last week now she draws best, and she should be hard to beat here. (6) DREAMADREAMFORME drops and gets McClure, and she is the most likely upsetter tonight. I’ll toss her in the Pick 5. (4) STILL OWING was narrowly beaten by the choice last week, but she may not get the same cozy trip tonight as she loses rail advantage at the start; using on the bottom.
Race 2 – (1) ROOKIE SEASON is likely to blast and try to last here. I see Mackenzie taking no prisoners and this gelding taking his second win. (4) ALL THE TRIMMINS raced better last time now he picks up McClure. He should be a threat tonight. (3) ASTRE DUHARAS is in a better spot here, and he should be part of the Tri at a minimum.
Race 3 – (1) YOGA MOUSE is bred to be decent as she is a full sister to 1:54 4/5 trotter and $167,000 earner Crossfit Mouse. I’ll take a stab with her here in a race where there are no clear standouts. (5) TITAN M UP made a nice recovery after a costly break at the 1/2 and he rates highly here, the catch being: will he stay trotting as it is with most of these. (7) MR WHEELER raced better last time, and he is another to consider in a race that might come down to who is left trotting at the wire.
Race 4 – (5) WOODMERE ROLLILY made two moves to win in a nice effort at Grand River, and she looks good to double up in this spot. (2) BUTTERFLY KISSES should get away faster here starting from the inside, and she should be the main threat. (4) ROSE ISLAND AGGIE is unlikely to get the same soft front end trip that she got here last week, and I’ll use her underneath.
Race 5 – (2) LMC SMORES has won twice as many races as the rest of this field combined, and last week’s effort indicates she is likely sitting on a win. This is a group that she should beat. (3) MIKE THE KNIGHT is likely going to be the pacesetter again, and he is one that I can’t leave off multi-race tickets. (5) HP DOUBLE EXPRESSO showed some signs at Grand River, and he has upset possibilities tonight. (1) P L OPPORTUNITY broke on debut but qualified sharply prior. She’s useful in the High-5. (8) E L SUGAR looked competent on return and can take a cheque here.
Race 6 –
(2) TANZANITE TRIXX always looked like the winner here when leading all the way on 6/17, and she gets the call to double up off that sharp effort. (5) ALL MUSCLE N SASS should get put into play again by McClure and she should be the main threat. (3) MALCOLM G figures to tag along and take another small share in this spot.
Race 7 – (2) ROCKETING woke up with the driver change to McClure, and that teamster is back for more here; top call. (8) KRYPTONITE was right there with the choice, and he has the gate speed to overcome his wide draw; Exacta factor. (1) MOOSEONYOURCABOOSE is improving, and he gets major post relief here. He would be no surprise in this spot.
Race 8 – (1) BUCKYS ANGEL stands out here having trotted a bang-up mile when 2nd to a strong winner and he should be tough to beat. (6) ETERNAL JEWEL – 3rd in the same race – was well behind the choice and she is likely to round out a chalky Exacta here. (3) ARCHIES STAR is capable of taking a share if he behaves this week.
Race 9 – (2) VINES TO HEAVEN figures to be much more effective vs. this company, and she could wire this group. (7) CENTURY GIANNA may have needed last week’s race. She could pop at a better price tonight. (4) ACEFORTYFOUR PAT is in solid form, and she should be part of the Tri racing from close range.
Race 10 – (6) ARRAKIS is razor-sharp and he looks for the threepeat here, not waiting for a race at Mohawk Park, but looking to strike when the iron is hot; top call. (1) VEYRON has really done well at B tracks, and he is sure to be right there starting from the rail tonight. (3) PROFOUND PARAGON is a win machine that should not be discounted in this spot, and she could offer a square win price. (7) NORTHERN ROYALE loses post advantage here. I’ll use her underneath. (4) SICARIO is always around the money and it's hard to leave him out 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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