Best Bet – (1) EVASIVE CARD SHARK – Race 8
Spot Play – (8) THREE TRICK GAINER – Race 6
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 1,2/2,3,4/2,3/1,2,3/1,3 = $14.40
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 1,3,8/1,2/1/1,2/2,4,6 = $7.20
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3: 2,3/1,2,3/1,3/1,3,8 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7: 1,2/1/1,2/2,4,6 = $2.40
Race 1 — (1) A BETTER MAN returns from London with two wins and he figures to get a great trip riding in (2) YOURTHEONE’s pocket tonight. Top call to the former and I’ll use both in the early Pick 5. (5) R U TALKIN blew up the tote board here last week and he should be part of the Tri or Super tonight.
Race 2 — (4) SMOKE N REACTOR N, already a 7-time winner this year, comes off a sharp effort at this level and looks solid to take win #8 tonight. (3) SO FRISKY came under assault from the choice in the third 1/4 last week and ended up finishing out of the Tri. She should be battling again and she could last longer in this spot. (2) RANDOMIROGEO is another that knows how to win that could trip out in this spot. She is another possibility for the early Pick 5.
Race 3 — (3) WOODMERE ROLLILY will be a big favorite here shipping in from Mohawk Park and racing for team Cullen off the claim. She is the one to beat. (2) SIBONEY does her best work racing on or near the lead, and she should be no worse than 2nd coming out of the first turn so she is in with a chance tonight. (1) TANZANIAN gets post relief tonight, and that should enable her to take a share.
Race 4 — (1) ILLGETMYOWN THANKS is perfectly-spotted to land in the pocket and last time that happened, three starts back, he exploded to a big win; top call. (2) SMOOTH LOU is in a much better spot tonight and he will likely be the one to catch; using. (3) HUNTER HILL is another that fits better here and he should be good for at least a share.
Race 5 — (1) SG ALEXIA couldn’t fend off the backfield late in the mile last week, but she draws much better now. That should mean an easier trip and she gets the nod. ( 3) WRITENINSAND S BG converted a pocket trip into a win here three starts back after leaving hard from the 7-hole. She could replicate that trip here and that makes her a threat. (5) SPORTY is another that draws better that should be closer, but I prefer to use her underneath tonight. (7) CARD COLLECTOR woke up with a big effort to beat the choice last week, but I’m not convinced she can repeat leaving from a wide post. She’s another that I’ll use underneath. (9) SANTAFES MJ can get a good start leaving behind the choice and ride a following trip to a small share.
Race 6 — (8) THREE TRICK GAINER gets his nose on the gate and faces a field that he should beat if he gets a decent trip. I imagine that Kelly will be blasting with him. (1) FINKLE IS EINHORN is only 2 for 31 but he could get the best trip here and that makes him a threat; using. (3) GALTERIO HANOVER can improve in this second local start after flashing speed in his first start in three months. Consider using him underneath.
Race 7 — (2) LYDIAS LIBERTY dominated here last week at this level and she cut some honest fractions. She gets the nod to repeat here. (1) LADY TO WATCH was first-up in that race, now she draws inside the choice. She has an upset chance likely racing in the pocket tonight. (3) CENTURY GEORGIA has only missed the Exacta in one start this year. She is hard to leave out of the Tri.
Race 8 — (1) EVASIVE CARD SHARK and driver Kelly have combined to win three of their last four starts here and, from the rail, he is going to be very hard to beat tonight at a short price. (2) RYE N CLYNE was no match for the choice last week as the even-money favorite. He remains the logical alternative if you are trying to beat the choice. (3) NOTETOSELF HANOVER can close for a slice in this spot.
Race 9 — (1) OUTLAWIMAHOTVIXEN moves inside, drops and likely pops in this spot; top call. (2) CELIA BAYAMA is the other filly that has been facing tougher recently, and she figures to be the main danger racing from close range. (3) KOUNNIS is racing well, but this is a tougher field tonight. I see her finishing in the bottom rung of the Tri or Super.
Race 10 — Good race to finish off the late multi-race tickets. (6) ESQUIRE was impressive winning first-up here last week and he should get a solid pace to chase tonight; call to repeat. (4) ANDY OVER is an interesting shipper who looks like he was bought in a private sale by Team Hensley. He would be no surprise here. (2) POWER AND GRACE grudgingly gave way to the choice late last week. She is always a threat with her excellent gate speed. (5) SIZZLEN HOT HERBIE is racing well and he should get another share tonight. (3) WILD AND CRAZY GUY rarely misses a cheque. He’s hard to leave off High-5 tickets.
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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 Ryan Clements Photos
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