Best Bet - (2) MCKENNA HANOVER - Race 3
Spot Play - (4) WANNA BE GORGEOUS - Race 2
Early Pick 4 - 2,3/3,4/3,5,7/2,5,7 = $7.20
Late Pick 4 - 1,5/2,4,9/2,3/2,4,5 = $7.20
Race 1 - (1) BETTER EARL almost won last time despite taking a shuffle, now he draws the rail where he should work out a good trip either racing on the lead or in the pocket; top call in the opener. (4) CRAZY LUKE DUKE won from a worse post, so he has to be one of the main contenders here moving inside. (2) TAILS AWAY is always in the mix and he should be up close early; using underneath.
Race 2 - (4) WANNA B GORGEOUS' only win on the page came two starts back when Coulter drove for the only time and that pilot returns here; upset special. (5) ICONIC VELOCITY has been racing tough the past couple of starts and he is worth a long look here as a sharp contender. (7) NO TIME AT ALL is always in the hunt, but from post 7 here, he may have a tough time passing them all.
Race 3 - (2) MCKENNA HANOVER has the two fastest wins on the page and she should be mighty tough in here. (3) MISS KABANA will likely get seated in the pocket early by the choice, which could make her dangerous late in the mile. (7) MAE BELLE DUKE is worth a look for the bottom of Tris and Supers at a price.
Race 4 - (4) PRETTY N WELL has some of the best form in here and she likely won't even be favored; top call. (3) MASSIVE POTENTIAL gets important post relief here and she may go right to the front and not look back in this spot. (9) EDDY is obviously one of the best ones in here, but he seems to need the lead to win and I'm not sure he can ever see the front here starting from the second tier.
Race 5 - (3) ORIGINAL trotted her back half in 59 3/5 last time and with the improvement she is showing, she could be sharp enough to break her maiden in this spot. (7) FRENCH TWIST's effort from his race two starts back is likely good enough to win this if he can reproduce it, but his gait issues have been worrisome; your call. (5) REBAS IMAGE opener was good enough to make her a contender here; using.
Race 6 - (5) SINGING SOLO made a powerful and decisive move in the third quarter last time which led to an impressive score. A similar scenario could unfold here. (7) KNICKERS obviously faces easier here, but post 7 is no bargain and she could get overbet in this spot. (2) JOHNNYS REVENGE is in solid form and he is hard to leave off Pick 4 tickets.
Race 7 - (5) WAIKIKI HANOVER drops and driver Moore will likely look to send him right down the road in this spot. (1) ADO DUHARAS won some good races at Trois Rivieres and he is worthy of a long look here drawing the best post. (2) GLIDER MAN steps up and he is most likely to take a small share in this spot. (3) SPARTAN VICTORY should get a spot near the front early and hang around for a share. (9) MISTER OF ALL has been closing well in recent outings and fits well in this class. He could better this placing with a good trip.
Race 8 - (9) HEINEKEN SEELSTER has been facing tougher at Mohawk Park and at 15/1 in the morning line, he could provide some late Pick 4 value here. (4) ENCARNACION is obviously talented enough to beat these, but his gait issues can be problematic at times; your call. (2) HONOR ABOVE ALL was no match for the talented Dia Monde last time but he should be a threat vs. these; using.
Race 9 - (3) SEVERUS HANOVER is on a tremendous roll and he should take another in this spot. (2) ABSOLUT SEELSTER should land in the choice's pocket leaving the gate and that makes her dangerous. I'll use her in the late Pick 4. (5) WHAT CHAPTER will likely come on late to take a small share.
Race 10 - (2) TELL EM HANOVER took a mid-race shuffle last time which isn't likely to repeat itself here. She can go right down the road vs. these. (4) SURE FIRE KATIE tripped out while beating the choice, but she still looks like the main threat. (5) NEW BEGINNINGS raced tough and she should be in the mix again, but I'll use her underneath. (1) REMINGTON drops in for a tag and he should compete for at least a share. (8) ARTOCOLO HANOVER is the type who can close late and pass a few to make it onto the Super or 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 five years. He is also the current President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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