Best Bet – (1) SAUBLE PLAY – Race 3
Spot Play – (3) WILSON WALL – Race 5
60-cent Early Pick 3 – (Race 1) – 2,3,4,6/1,4,6/1 = $7.20
20-cent Early Pick 4 – (Race 4) – 2,3/1,3,5/1,4,8/1,3,5 = $10.80
20-cent Late Pick 4 – (Race 8) – 1,3,5,8/2,7,8/2,4/1,2,7 = $14.40
20-cent Late Pick 3 – (Race 9) – 2,7,8/2,4/1,2,7 = $10.80
Race 1 – (6) IN THE NIGHT was an easy winner last week in this class and while she gets a tougher post this time, she should be up to producing another strong effort. (2) MAE BELLE DUKE roughed it first up against the choice to no avail, but she should be able to work out an easier trip here, perhaps racing in the choice’s pocket; using. (3) NEW BOSS IN TOWN has notched only a single win so far in 2019 but she’s in good form right now and she wouldn’t be a big surprise in here if she got the job done.
Race 2 – (6) BUGSY MAGUIRE was hammered at the windows last week but he had trouble advancing racing first up against a strong leader. This should be an easier assignment and he gets the nod. (4) OH K MAN has been facing tougher at Flamboro and he should provide a threat to the choice here. (1) INTRIGUED AGAIN raced better last time and drawing the rail gives him a shot at the upset here. I’ll use him in the early Pick 3.
Race 3 – (1) SAUBLE PLAY pressed some strong splits racing uncovered last time and he drew away late. He should be tough to beat here at a short price. (8) CHEDDAR BAY was second to the choice in a good effort but that left him with a 2 for 32 record lifetime (with 13 slices) and more of the same is likely here. (4) MACH ART IN MOTION has finished third 10 times already this year. Use him on the bottom of Tris.
Race 4 – (2) KILLER CREDIT has been perfect with teamster Henry driving and he looks best here; too, but you won’t get much of a price. (3) LARJON LESTER has improving form and he is the other one that I’ll use in this early Pick 4 as a possible price option. (4) SPORTS MEDICINE was a gritty winner at Flamboro, but he loses driver Shepherd here. I’ll use him underneath in this spot.
Race 5 – (3) WILSON WALL gets a notable driver change in what looks like a wide-open race; angle play. (5) OZZIE YOUNG also gets what should be a positive driver change. Toss him in the Pick 4 mix. (1) COINCIDENTAL CREWS gets major post relief here and he should be much closer early which gives him a shot vs. these.
Race 6 – (4) RACEMUP was on fire at Mohawk Park prior to getting claimed in his last start. Expect a big speed try here. (8) G A SPEED SAMMY has a tremendous record, but the second tier may not be the best post for him. Demand a price here. (1) BOOMBOOM BALLYKEEL could trip out in the choice’s pocket here. I’ll use him in the Pick 4. (2) ADORE HIM failed to convert as chalk last time after leaving from the rail and racing on a clear lead throughout. I’ll use him underneath in this spot. (3) BETTOR BB moves up off a win and he should get at least a check here.
Race 7 – (3) MASSMADE ships in from Ottawa in sharp form and she lands in a nice spot; call to repeat. (5) ILL STAY HERE was refunded last time. Toss that start and she looks like a solid contender vs. these. (1) SCHRADER HANOVER raced okay in this class last time, losing only to a horse who wins with regularity. He’s not out of this.
Race 8 – (8) GIRL WITH ATTITUDE is in a spot where she could benefit from some early battling for the front and she offers a good price for the start of this Pick 4; top call. (5) RELLA TIVITY couldn’t seal the deal as the 2 to 5 chalk last week and she could get pressed for the lead early here. I won’t take a short win price here. (1) EATAAMPULTHECHUTE has drawn bad posts for several weeks. Although she is stuck on one win, I’ll toss her in this Pick 4 as a potential value adder.
Race 9 – (2) GMC TROOPER has been facing tougher at Flamboro Downs and he draws inside and picks up St Louis to drive. There is plenty to like here. (7) IT’S A BIG SECRET is capable of a big speed try. Don’t be surprised if Coulter decides to roll him leaving the gate. (8) THE LOAN RANGER drops, but I don’t love a second tier post for him. Your call.
Race 10 – (2) SMOOTH MARA N faced tougher in the Flamboro Preferred 3 and he should get an aggressive steer in this spot; top call. (4) BLUE MOOSE loves this track and it didn’t take him long to notch a win here. He is a Pick 4 must-use for me. (3) DEADLY ACTION steps up off a sharp win but a slice is more likely for him in this spot.
Race 11 – (2) AUDREYS DREAM drops and likely pops in this spot. (7) MISTER X should be blasting early here and if he makes front, he may be tough to overhaul. (1) ROUGH TRADE should go much better in this spot and driver Wray is doing well at this meet so far; using. (4) IM NOT BAD should improve moving away from the 7-hole. Toss him on your High-5 tickets. (3) CULLEN KEEFE N also draws better, and he should sit a good trip here and at least take a cheque.
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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 five years. He is also the current President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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