Best Bet – (3) IF YOU KNEW SUSIE – Race 8
Spot Play – (6) ENCHANTED MISSION – Race 4
20-Cent Pick 5 - Race 1 – 1,2/1,4/2,3,6/1,2,6/1,3 = $14.40
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3 – 2,3,6/1,2,6/1,3/1,4 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 7 – 1,2/3/2,5,6/1,2,3,9 = $4.80
Race 1 — (1) JEMAXPOS ROCKSTAR took a new life’s mark here last week, and she is a solid bet to take her fourth win in five starts tonight. (2) A BLACK DIAMOND figures to battle with the choice, and she is the most likely upsetter here; using. (5) DELIMAS raced well last week, and she should be rallying again in the lane; using underneath.
Race 2 — (1) LOBEL BRUISER figures to be a big favorite here as he looks for his fifth win in six starts, and he will have to be caught as he is surely heading for the front from his rail post. (4) BET THE LIMIT figures to get a better start and an improved trip here; Exacta factor. (3) KEVMARVALOUS was 2nd to the choice last week, and he figures to be close again here.
Race 3 — (6) ANNES CREDIT raced okay vs. better at Georgian Downs, and she might lead all the way here despite facing elders. (3) PLAY LIKE KIRARA had missed more than a month prior to last week’s race in Leamington. Coming back quicker, she is in with a shot here. (2) DALI DALITE has the speed to go with these, and she is the third one that I’ll use in the Pick 5.
Race 4 — (6) ENCHANTED MISSION drops into a claimer here and, if he gets sent hard and clears to the front, he could lead all the way. (2) FLUFF ME UP led to the stretch in a decent effort at Clinton, and he was passed late by (1) RIDDLE ME MISS for 2nd. Both are live options for the Pick 5.
Race 5 — (3) BO DOVER has won 1/3 of his starts this year, and he looks solid to take another here; top call. (1) SPORTS BLISS could get a much better trip leaving from the rail, and he could be a pocket rocket in the lane. I’ll use him on multi-race tickets. (2) FERN HILL FLIGHT is right there every week, and he is the third viable option for Pick 4 and Pick 5 tickets.
Race 6 — (4) SERENITY CRUISE faces much easier tonight, and he should be tough to catch vs. this group. (1) MISSYS MAGIC MAN can get another great trip, and he is the other one that I’ll use in the Pick 4. This should be a slightly easier spot for (2) RED HOT TORCH, and he should land in the Tri or Super tonight. (3) POLLAR HALL is consistently in the mix, and he should be in the High-5 tonight. (6) HEINEKEN SEELSTER hasn’t missed a cheque in a while, and he should take another one here.
Race 7 — (2) DEX THE LAND was well bet last week and she followed along for third. In this field, she could lead all the way if she gets sent to the front; top call. (1) SCOTTISH MACH should leave fast too, and she makes sense to use in the late Pick 4. (5) LADY OXFORD missed some time but she is capable of showing speed and sticking around for a share; using underneath.
Race 8 — (3) IF YOU KNEW SUSIE avoids the hot Erikas Shadow here as she drops into a spot where she should use her good early speed to take a stranglehold on this field; top call. (2) KAHLUA MORNING should be racing in the choice’s pocket, and she has a good chance to complete the Exacta. (6) MOSTLY DALI finishes on the edges most weeks, and she is a good one to use underneath in this spot.
Race 9 — (5) BIGMACHWITHCHEESE raced well in defeat last week, and the short field should help him; top call. (2) BLUE MONK has 9 Exacta finishes in 15 starts in 2021 so far, and his consistency should be respected; using. (6) THE DEVIL YOU KNOW should show speed again and stick around for a share.
Race 10 — (9) ILLGETMYOWN THANKS takes a pretty big class drop here, and he should get the job done against these if he gets a decent trip after starting from the second tier. (1) OUTLAWGRABBINGEARS won last time he raced at this level and drew the rail. He could be the one to catch tonight. (2) ST LADS BEAT IT fits well at this level, and he is a contender starting from the inside. He’s the third one that I’ll use in the Pick 4. (3) GOOD AND SWEET should be closer here starting from a better post. He has upset potential. (5) MAINTENANCE MAN was claimed several weeks in a row at Mohawk Park. He likes racing on the front, but he will likely be forced to take a seat early. I’ll play to beat him 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 Tiffany Chantel Photography
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