Best Bet – (2) PENCILS DOWN – Race 9
Spot Play – (1) WINGS UP – Race 8
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,2,3,4,5,6,7/2,4/1,3/2,3,5/2 = $16.80
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6 –1,3/2,5/1,4/2/1,2,4,6,8 = $8.00
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 1,3/2,3,5/2/1,3 = $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7 – 2,5/1,4/2/1,2,4,6,8 = $4.00
Race 1 — (3) ZOES CHOICE had a brutal trip and was still there trying at the end last week. Moving inside gives her a much better chance here and she gets the call. (6) ARCH HALL was also out a long way and he was forced to circle the choice going around the last turn. He is sharp and one of many Pick 5 options in this race. (7) TESLA SEELSTER exits a tougher race at Mohawk Park, and she is another that has a decent chance here.
Race 2 — (4) HEADLINE MAKER is the only winner in an inexperienced field, and he should be tough to beat tonight. (2) SELF IMPORTANT seems to have enough speed to provide a challenge to the choice and she is the other one that I’ll use in the Pick 5. (5) SAYONARA ANGEL should be good for a small share if she stays flat tonight.
Race 3 — (1) EATAAMS PRINCESS comes back in seven days tonight and she should be sharper. I’ll give her the edge starting from the rail. (3) TAYDERTOTZZ is always a threat with her good early speed, and she is hard to leave out in a short field like this one. (2) THREE GEMS fits well here, but she has a 1 for 41 record and she is more likely to take a small share; using on the bottom.
Race 4 — (2) KASHE draws well in a short field and the worst scenario for her will be that she will need to pass four horses to win this race. I like her chances in here. (3) SEBASTIAN RAY should be the pacesetter and he is hard to leave out of the Pick 5 tonight. (5) SAINT K never misses the board and that streak should continue here.
Race 5 — (2) WHEELING IN CASH was an easy winner here in this class last week, and he is a solid bet to repeat in this field. (9) CAFE AMERICANO showed some good late trot at Georgian Downs, and he can be a late threat tonight. I’ll use him underneath. (5) ORIGINAL FURY’s finishing times stack up well in this field but he rarely makes a move of his own. He could round out the Tri or Super. (6) BLACK SEVEN takes a small share virtually every race, and he is a good one to use in the bottom rungs of the High-5. (1) HOORAY FRANCKE is another that can take a small slice if he stays flat this time.
Race 6 — (3) MUSCLES D ORO seems several seconds the fastest in here and if he tries the same tactics as last time, he should bottom out this field. (1) BLACK HAWK DOWN is the other speedster in the race, and he should make up the second half of this Exacta. (7) CAN DO IT ALL should come on late to take a decent share.
Race 7 — (5) MAY TO FOR is on fire right now and he looks good to triple up vs. these. (2) STELIOS should be the main danger shipping in from Mohawk Park and drawing well; using. (4) COOL ROCK should pass a few of these late and round out the Tri or Super.
Race 8 — (1) WINGS UP should offer some value here as he faces easier, and his recent form is a bit darkened because of the two starts out of the 7-hole. I’ll give him the nod over (4) SLIP INTO GLIDE who also figures to improve in this spot. (2) WYND CREEK should get a decent trip and take a small share vs. these.
Race 9 — (2) PENCILS DOWN has faced stakes company all year and she should have a good chance here despite facing elders. (5) SAY SOMETHING is another rookie trotter who figures to move up in this spot. Give her a look for the exotics. (1) MEADOWVIEW LILLY should be in the hunt for a share if she stays flat tonight. I’ll use her on the bottom.
Race 10 — (8) HANNAH ON THE VIRG raced tough here on the lead last week and she gets the nod despite drawing widest here. (6) EZRA EXPRESS made a nice winning move and she should be a threat to repeat considering her sharp current form. (1) FLYSANTANNA has been in the money 50% of the time this year and from the rail she should be in the hunt again. (2) CENTURY HAVANA has drawn poorly in several of her recent races but she gets a good starting slot tonight. She should work her way into the High-5. (4) HEARTBEATNSIZZLE hasn’t missed the board with Plante driving in her past three starts, and she should be in the mix again 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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