Garnet Barnsdale's harness racing handicapping selections for horse racing at The Raceway at the Western Fair District March 14, 2022.
Best Bet – (1) SR BEACH BABE – Race 2
Spot Play – (4) TAYDERTOTZZ – Race 1
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 1,4/1/2,7/1,3,4/3,5 = $4.80
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 4/4,6,8/2,3,6/1,8/1,2,5 = $10.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3: 2,7/1,3,4/3,5/4 = $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7: 4,6,8/2,3,6/1,8/1,2,5 = $10.80
FULL RACE CARD
BET WITH HPI
Race 1 – This is a good spot for (4) TAYDERTOTZZ, who has been facing a steady diet of tougher mares recently. Henry should get aggressive with her early, and she is the one to beat. (1) SHADOW OFDAWN ZAZZ hasn’t drawn this well in many weeks, and she figures to be right there with these. She is the second mare that I’ll use in the opening leg of the $10,000 guaranteed Pick 5. (6) GODIVA MACKIAVELYC wants the front, and she could get stung early here. I’d like her more from an inside post. (7) SCOTTISH MACH is capable of passing a few of these and landing in the Tri or Super.
Race 2 – (1) SR BEACH BABE jogged as expected last week now she draws best and will have to be caught here. (4) SIBONEY was game in defeat last week, and she should be the main threat to the choice here. (5) DOLLYS SKY had every chance to go by the leader as the pace slowed last week at Flamboro Downs, and she couldn’t seal the deal. I’ll use her underneath here. (2) BYE BYE DADDY is hit and miss from week to week but she should sit a good trip and hang around for a share tonight.
Race 3 – (2) MA REBELLE was a wire-to-wire winner here on Friday night, and she will be the one to catch making a quick return. (7) NORTHERN BELLE was claimed for this series by a barn that is clicking at a 36% strike rate so far this year. She is a must-use for me even from the widest post. (1) KISS IT BETTER is capable at this level but she has had some gait issues recently. I’ll use her underneath. (4) ROSE RUN VIGILANT rarely misses the top four, and she should be good for a share in this spot.
Race 4 – (3) WHITE MOUNTAIN LEE might have slowed the pace too much last time when she got picked off late at Flamboro. Expect an aggressive steer tonight; top call. (1) EATAAMS PRINCESS raced well when placed first last time because the rival that passed her was off stride at the wire. She should be right there tonight. (4) KEEP WATCHING is another that brings sharp form to this small but competitive field, and she is the third mare that I’ll use on multi-race tickets. (2) BRIENNE THE BEAUTY hasn’t drawn this well in a long time. She is worth using in the exotics tonight.
Race 5 – (5) STYLE SNAPSHOT dominated last time she faced similar rivals two starts back. She should be the one to catch here. (3) EATAAMS ELLIE fits well vs. these, and she has had excuses in some of her recent Flamboro Downs starts; price look. (2) SEE THE DELIGHT can get another good trip here and land in the Tri again. Infrequent winners (4) GET IT DONE DONNA and (7) SPARKLE FARKLE are good ones to use on the bottom of the exotics.
Race 6 – (4) HES TOURING was out forever with no cover last week, and he just kept coming to notch an impressive debut win. A repeat of that effort will make him very tough tonight. (2) YOSE CAN SCOOT should improve in this 2022 debut facing slower horses than he raced against at two. He should be an Exacta factor. (1) DELIGHTFUL WINE was a big chalk racing against the choice last week, and he could do no better than 3rd. I’ll use him underneath tonight. (8) ART RUNNER has taken 5 shares in 6 starts, and he is a good one to use on the bottom of the exotics.
Race 7 – (8) SUPER FM raced well first up in his 2022 debut when facing tougher at Mohawk Park. He should be tough here if he can repeat that effort. (6) CORONAONTHEBEACH was a winner that this level three starts back. He figures to be right there tonight after facing tougher in his last two starts. (4) GAMBLERS TREASURE goes for a hot barn, and he returns quicker after failing as the chalk. He could rebound here at a better price. (7) SILVER SANDY takes frequent small shares; consider for the bottom of the exotics.
Race 8 – (6) LIME IN DA COCONUT showed last week that he’s back in top form, and he can win from anywhere when he is sharp; call to repeat. (2) RIVER DALI will likely be the one to catch dropping out of the Mohawk Park Popup series; using. (3) SAUBLE ATTACK was out a long way but it didn’t matter as he drove away to a sharp win. He should be dangerous right back. (1) TUUKKA RASP gets his nose back on the gate, and he should be in the exotics mix tonight.
Race 9 – This is a good spot for (1) SMILINGBILLYTHEKID, and Henry will probably look to send him right down the road; top call. (8) DELIGHTFUL MAGIC faced tougher in his recent Flamboro starts. He could get a great trip following the choice tonight. (3) WEST COAST KID, stablemate to the choice, raced well off the claim last week, and he should be in the hunt here; using underneath. (6) WILLIAM ROSS is one of the best closers in here, and he should rally for a share.
Race 10 – (1) BEEF N CHEDDAR adds Lasix after bleeding in his last start, and he requalified well for this. He should be tough starting from the rail. (2) SHAKIN MY PEACHES has rallied well in both of his last two starts but his lack of gate speed often puts him behind the eight ball. He can beat these if he is within range at the 3/4 pole; using. (5) NASSAU HANOVER is probably better racing from off the pace, and he should take a stalking trip tonight. He is another in with a chance. (3) JAYS N TIGERS broke his maiden in his 21st start, now he faces tougher. I’ll use him underneath. (6) TOUGHSONOFABEACH should be good for another small share in this spot.
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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.
Photo by John Watkins
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