Best Bet – (1) OLD BUCK – Race 6
Spot Play – (4) WINX – Race 5
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1 – 2,6/2,4,8/1,2/3,6/2,3,4 = $14.40
20-Cent Pick 4 – Race 7 – 2/3,7/5/1,2,3,8 = $1.60
Race 1 — (2) POWER OF AN ANGEL raced against what are probably the two best rookie pacing fillies in the country in her last two starts. Now she is in easier, draws inside and picks up Mohawk Park’s leading driver. There is lots to like here today; top call. (6) WARRAWEE XPAT is the obvious threat but Post 6 at this track is no bargain and trip could end up being the deciding factor. I wouldn’t take a really short price here. (1) WATCH HER FLY should get a good following trip from the rail and land in the Tri or Super today. (7) DARBY OGILL would be rated higher had she drawn better but from the widest post she is likely in for a rough ride this afternoon.
Race 2 — (4) GLANDCASTER HALL exits the fastest race, is sent out by a high percentage barn, and picks up Macdonald to drive. He can likely beat these with an aggressive steer. (2) ROLLING IN CLOVER had a blowout win in this series at Kawartha, and he has speed and an inside post. He’s hard to leave out of the Pick 5. (8) RESOLUTE BAY fits well here, and he can be right there if he can navigate a decent trip after starting from the second tier; using. (1) WANIA was much better in his second start, and he should get a piece of this leaving from the best post.
Race 3 — (1) DEWITT FOR JOSIE is one of the best fillies in here, and she draws the rail which will likely be the deciding factor; top call. (2) MOTOVATION should be blasting early and position is critical on this track. She is in with a good chance today. (5) CREME DELIGHT is in very good form but she will give up positioning at the start; using underneath. (6) SPEAK YOUR MIND is in easier here but from a wide post and coming off a break in stride, I’ll play to beat her.
Race 4 — (6) GANGBUSTER HANOVER’s effort two starts back is likely good enough to win this if he can replicate it. I’ll give him the nod. (3) MASKEDMAN will likely never find an easier spot. He has to improve by default in this field. (2) KEEPSAKE will likely be driven more conservatively this week and that should lead to her taking a share vs. these. (1) CROOKSIE is another who can get an inside following trip and perhaps round out the Super.
Race 5 — (4) WINX races better on small tracks, and I can see her winning this from first-over; top call. (3) GIRL SCOUT COOKIE should get put into play early, and she will likely be the one to catch this afternoon. She’s on my Pick 5 ticket. (2) MORETHANMYHOMETOWN is on a big roll, but she might be at a tactical disadvantage if she leaves slowly again here. She is an obvious contender but no lock. (6) SAKE TUMI comes off a very sharp win but from out there I’ll use her underneath.
Race 6 — (1) OLD BUCK is on a roll with McClure driving, and drawing the rail again should make him very tough to beat here. (3) DON’T WRITE ME OUT should improve in this spot but I’m not sure he can warm Old Buck up; using underneath. (4) CARSONS SHADOW went off at 2 to 5 vs. the choice and he was no match. Another small share is likely today. (7) OUTLAW BADLANDS is obvious coming out of some tough Mohawk Park races but post 7 negates the appeal for me; using on the bottom.
Race 7 — (2) IN THE MOOD raced against killer Prohibition Legal last time and tried her first up to no avail. She is clearly the one to beat here and a Pick 4 single for me. (1) GALLERIA SEELSTER should fare much better starting from the rail. She is an Exacta factor to consider. (7) RIBBON RIDGE is probably fast enough to win this had she drawn inside. I’ll use her underneath starting from the widest post. (6) GOUDAWON comes off a nice win but she is another that is at a disadvantage due to the post draw; using on the bottom.
Race 8 — (3) MISSION THREE keeps McClure after that duo teamed up for a win here last week, and he gets the call to repeat. (7) SHADOW DREAMER gets a driver change to Moore and that could lead to a more aggressive approach this afternoon. She could be a good value play for the Pick 4. (1) WESTRIDGE WARRIOR has improving form but he has only won once in his past 46 starts. He is hard to love on top; using underneath. (2) PHONE IN races well for driver Kelly, and from a good post he should take another share today.
Race 9 — (5) SHADOWY is clearly the best filly in here, and she should get an aggressive drive from Roy. I’ll single her in the Pick 4. (4) BIKINI GENIE is capable of leaving quicker than she has been showing recently. Maybe we’ll see that gate speed here, and she will take a good share. (3) T TIME PAT raced well the one time McClure drove. She should take a good share today. (1) BETTER CATCH GIRL draws inside for the first time in a while. She is a good one to use underneath in the exotics.
Race 10 — (8) DERBY DYLAN shows a win here a few starts back then he had some bad posts and tough trips. At 10 to 1 in the morning line, I’ll try to get him across to boost the Pick 4 payout. (2) PRINCE ADIRAN produced his best effort in several months last week, and he is likely the one to catch here. (1) MACHAPELO has seen better days, but he isn’t out of place in this field. He is worth using in the Pick 4. (3) SOUTHWIND GRIZZLY should take a share if he can stay flat this time.
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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 John Watkins
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