Best Bet – (6) C L SPORTACTION – Race 7
Spot Play – (5) EZRA EXPRESS – Race 4
20-cent Pick 4 – Race 7 – 4,6/1,6/5,6/1,3,4 - $4.80
Race 1- (8) LEFKADA was better in her second start back, and Wray will likely have her out and rolling early today. She gets the nod over (5) IONIA, who no doubt will be looking to go down the road, but is hard to trust after breaking stride last week. (7) SPARE SEED fits better here, but from the worst post I’ll use him underneath.
Race 2 – (5) SUNSHINE IN MAE has been close in two straight at this track, and it looks like today is the day for her to break her maiden. (6) BETTER WATCH IT has speed but also gait issues. If she stays flat, she will be the one that the choice needs to fend off. (8) PASSPORT should be coming on late for another share today.
Race 3 – (1) WILLIAM ROSS looks best here, and he need only stay flat to beat these. (7) LADY JASMINE should get good position early from her wide post, and she is an Exacta factor today. (6) HA IM IN CONTROL is worth a look for the exotics in this second start.
Race 4 – (5) EZRA EXPRESS qualified sharply for this, and she will be hard to beat if she has put her gait issues behind her. (3) HOWMAC SABRINA was passing rivals late in a tougher race, and she is the logical alternative to the choice. (2) FLYSANTANNA should be closer in this $7K claimer; using underneath.
Race 5 – (5) DISTINCTIV SEAN has faced better in Sarnia recently, and I’ll give him the nod looking for a price here. (1) GO MUD will no doubt be looking to lead all the way, and he’s the one to catch. (3) MAGNUS SEELSTER should be passing some of these, and he is a good one to use on the bottom of this Tri.
Race 6 – (7) ADDITUDE was an easy winner last time she raced this low at this track three starts back, and she might lead these all the way. (8) TOMITTA BAYAMA is an obvious contender but he has developed a case of seconditis recently, and he could be overbet starting from the second tier. (1) JULIAN I AM fits well here, but his lack of gate speed is a concern; using underneath.
Race 7 – (6) C L SPORTACTION was no match for classy Dinner At The Met in Sarnia, but he should handle this group, and he gets top billing here. (4) SHOOTINFORTHESTARS will get put into this race early by St Louis, and he is an Exacta factor. (3) QUICK NICK was a game winner two starts back, and he can take a share this time if he stays flat.
Race 8 – (6) LITERALLY HANOVER fits well here and her qualifier says she’s ready; top call. (1) SEE THE DELIGHT is the obvious one to beat coming off a nice win and drawing inside. (2) PRICELESS SHADOW should get a good trip here and hang around for a share.
Race 9 – (5) IDEAL SPACE is in her element at Dresden Raceway, and she is the one to beat as she shoots for a threepeat today. (6) ALYSSA MARIE has been facing better recently. She should move up vs. these, and she’s an Exacta factor. (8) SPORTS ICON is also one that does well at this oval, but I’ll use her underneath starting from the second tier today.
Race 10 – (1) THE LOAN RANGER gets St Louis and the rail and those advantages should nullify the class rise in this spot. (3) LIFE IS BETTER comes off a sharp win and he is an obvious threat. (4) MO BETTOR showed he is sharp by kicking home in 28 2/5 last week. He can take a slice.
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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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