Best Bet – (4) BIGMACHWITHCHEESE – Race 10
Spot Play – (3) MISS READ – Race 2
20-cent Pick 4 – Race 7 – 2,3,7/1,3,5/1/4 - $1.80
Race 1 - Races 1 through 5 comprise the final five dashes in the inaugural Women’s Driving Championship. (3) TILLY DREAMCATCHER is fast but erratic. Maybe driver Julie Walker – who won a race at Hanover Raceway Saturday – can settle her down today and coax a maiden win from her. (8) TOONIE TEEN is the only winner in here but he will need to take the overland route leaving from post 8. Driver Maggie Jones also won a race in the contest yesterday. (2) SUNSHINE IN MAE has two sharp efforts at this track, and she should be part of the first Tri of the afternoon.
Race 2 – (3) MISS READ comes in off a much-improved effort and she should be the one to catch here for driver Auger, who needs some wins today to have a chance in the contest. (1) FLYSANTANNA should be closing in the lane and the one that the choice will need to fend off. (8) LITTLEANNIEOAKLEY can get a following trip here for driver Kennedy and take a share.
Race 3 – First day Women’s Driver Championship leader Natasha Day looks good here with class-dropper (2) DREAMING OUT LOUD. From an inside post she should be aggressive early. (4) INSINCERITY is another that gets class relief here that should race close to the front early; Exacta factor. (3) KISS IT BETTER should be passing some rivals late; consider for the Tri.
Race 4 – (3) APRIL BANDIT is situated perfectly for a big speed try here and you can be sure that Day, who might be looking to lock up the driving championship in this race, will be looking to send her right down the road here. (1) CANTCOUNTMEOUT gets major post relief here and he could provide some Exacta value. (6) BYE BYE DADDY is right there every week but she could get overbet from a tough post here. I’ll play to beat her out of the Exacta.
Race 5 – (1) MISTER X didn’t beat much when claimed but with speed being his best weapon, he should be hard to beat from the rail today for driver Leon. (8) TOWNSHIP WILLY has a good chance to nail the choice late if he can leave fast enough to be right on his helmet and secure the pocket here. (6) LADY NATASHA brings some good form into this race, and she should be good for a share.
Race 6 –
(3) WINSUN GAGA gets the trainer in the bike for this but he knows how to send one, and this filly will be the one to catch here. (1) LETS ROAR should be able to protect the pocket and that makes her an Exacta factor today. (4) LADY KATIE B was first up a long way challenging the choice last time. She is in the mix here.
Race 7 – (2) SPORTS JACKET just beat a tough old mare who came right back to beat the boys yesterday at Hanover Raceway, and I’ll give him the call to repeat despite stepping up in class here. (3) BLUE MOOSE should find these easier, and he can be a major factor today starting from a decent post. (7) THE LOAN RANGER is on fire but he draws worst here, so I’d demand a price today.
Race 8 – (1) BRYDOWN BETTER BEA just took a new life’s mark at Georgian Downs, and she should be tough starting from the rail this afternoon. (5) BETTER KISSTHE MEN has the gate speed to overcome this post, and she should be the main danger. (3) BETTER WATCH IT was relentless here last week despite being hung out every step. She is worth a look for the Exacta and Tri.
Race 9 – (1) CANTSTOPTHEFEELIN is obviously the fastest horse in here but she has been off since late March. Drawing the rail helps, and she has a great shot if she is fit enough. (2) SHES A GUNSLINGER is in good form now at this track, and she should be the main danger racing from close range. (4) ADMIT ONE has a good late kick on his best day, and he gets a better post to work from here; using underneath.
Race 10 – (4) BIGMACHWITHCHEESE has found his best stride and he is on a roll now. He will be very hard to beat here at a short price. (2) LITERALLY HANOVER should go better here in her second start back and getting post relief. She can complete a chalky Exacta. (7) PRICELESS SHADOW draws poorly but she has the gate speed to get position, and she can take a share here.
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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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