Best Bet – (1) P ZONKA – Race 2
Spot Play – (1) SEYMOUR LITTLE – Race 8
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1 – 3,8/1/1,4,6/1,2,4/2,5,6 = $10.80
Race 1- (8) CHUCK THE CHEESE is a three-time winner facing a group that is a combined 1 for 72; enough said. (3) SINGINTHESUNSHINE raced great considering he was parked the mile last week. He should be the main threat. (7) RIDIN ON SUNSHINE won from the 6-hole here last week but I don’t see him getting the same soft trip on the lead this time; using underneath.
Race 2 – (1) P ZONKA bottomed out the field last week, and starting from the rail facing only four rivals here makes a repeat likely. (2) MISTER DG gets his nose back on the gate and that makes him worth a look for the Exacta today. (3) ARSENAL DE CHAFRA finishes in the money most weeks and he should be part of the Tri here racing from close range.
Race 3 – (1) MALVOLIO has a great chance to wire these starting from the rail, and he is sure to be looking to go right down the road. (4) SLICK N SPORTY fits better at this conditioned claimer level, and he is a good price option for the Pick 5. (6) THREE TRICK GAINER was facing tougher in Ottawa, and he is another in with a chance here.
Race 4 – (1) COLD CREEK FELIPE’s debut was decent for a barn that typically moves them up after they have had a start or two, and this isn’t a tough spot; top call. (2) IRONSIDE SEELSTER can get a better trip here after racing first-over last week. He should be the main threat. (4) BREAKAWAY LOUIS has a chance to leave quicker starting from a better post today, and he is a threat to lead all the way; using.
Race 5 – (5) SONOFAMILLIONAIRE gets Gassien here and a better projected early pace scenario. He could lead these all the way. (6) MR CONTESTANT is an obvious threat coming out of some tough races at Rideau Carlton; using. (2) KEN KAN WIN is another one that should get a more alert start today and the short field helps him. He would be no surprise.
Race 6 – (7) KEMPENFELT seems to have a big class edge here, and she should go right down the road vs. these. (8) PUTNAMS FIRE is the other shipper that appears to be coming out of better races, and she should be an Exacta factor here. (3) ROSE ISLAND AGGIE shouldn’t get parked the mile this week and that gives her a good chance to take a share.
Race 7 – (5) SHEPLAYSFORKEEPS clearly looks like the best mare in here but she has already had 29 chances to break her maiden. It’s hard to take odds-on here which is what she is likely to close at in this field. (7) NO TIME is lightly-raced and has shown glimpses of ability. She is in with an upset chance here. (3) FARMERWHOSEMYDADDY is capable of better than she showed last week when something went amiss after the 1/2. I see her bouncing back to take a share.
Race 8 – (1) SEYMOUR LITTLE is the only horse in this race that has recorded a win in 2021, and he should get an aggressive steer from Boyd here; top call. (6) EAST BOUND EDDIE drops and he should be the main threat racing from close range. (2) MERVS TRU LEGACY should improve moving inside for today’s race; consider for Exacta and Tri bets.
Race 9 – (8) YS LOTUS takes a big class drop here, and he should be blasting looking to lead these all the way; top call. (2) PASSIONATE PRINCE is the other class dropper and this is obviously an easier spot than the Mohawk Park conditioned claimers he has been racing in. He is in with a decent chance today. Veteran (7) REEL could land in the choice’s pocket leaving the gate and he should be an exotics factor in this spot.
Race 10 –
(4) MOSSIES ART should like this company better, and I see him chasing down the leaders late here. (3) PRIVILEGE was nailed only late in a good effort, and he is the one to catch again. (1) FOUR FOR ORR loses Baillargeon here after recording a win with that driver at the controls last week; small share predicted.
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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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