Best Bet – (1) SMOKIN MO – Race 1
Spot Play – (4) BIG JOURNEY – Race 4
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1/2,4/2,4/2,3,4/2,3 = $4.80
Race 1 — (1) SMOKIN MO raced well from the worst post here last week, now he draws best. A more aggressive steer should be coming, and he is the one to beat. (4) IRONSIDE SEELSTER fits well here, and he should be sent forward leaving the gate by Gassien; Exacta factor. (6) COLD CREEK FELIPE should find this field easier, and he can land in the Tri.
Race 2 — (4) ULTRA won at a similar level four starts back, and dropping out of non-winners of two, she should be looking to wire these. (2) RAVISHIN RUBY brings a nice winning qualifier to the table, and she is one that will be on my Pick 5 ticket making her debut here. (3) SHEPLAYSFORKEEPS always looks good on paper but she has a 0 for 30 record. We have to try to beat her, don’t we?
Race 3 — (2) MS BRAMPTON BEAST is the fastest filly in here when she is on her game, and she will be tough to beat if she brings her best effort today. (4) DANA SALAAM gets a better post after winning in this class from the 7-hole last week; she should be the main threat. (3) ROSE ISLAND AGGIE comes off a solid effort but she has a weak win record; I’ll use her underneath.
Race 4 — (4) BIG JOURNEY has been racing well, and he gets a driver change to Ryan Guy. He is one of several live options in this race. (3) SIGNIFICANCE drops to a level where she fits, and Boyd should be blasting early with her. She is hard to leave off Pick 5 tickets. (2) WOODMERE ROLLNPOP raced well here two starts back, and he is another who should be a threat racing from close range.
Race 5 — (3) SPITTIN CHICKLETS looks best here based on recent races, and she gets the call to close out today’s Pick 5. (2) DEAN STREET, a maiden breaker here two starts back, should get position early and secure a good trip; Exacta factor. (4) POMPANO BEACH uncorked a huge mile to break his maiden here three starts back, and he has upset potential.
Race 6 — (5) WAGS was tons the best here last week, and he should repeat again at a very low price. (4) PRIVILEGE couldn’t stay with the choice in the final 1/4 last week, and he likely rounds out a chalky Exacta. (1) HES GOT A VENDETTA can be closer this afternoon starting from the rail, but I don’t see him beating the choice.
Race 7 — (3) HOLDIN ACES doesn’t face any tougher than he beat here last week, and he gets the call to repeat. (2) STORMONT DUNDAS has a much better chance moving off the 8-hole this week, and he is the most likely upsetter. (4) Y A MUSCLE MASS is worth a look for the exotics making her first start off the claim.
Race 8
— (3) BUTTERCUP WILL gets major post relief today, and she should be put into play early in this race; call to upset. (1) ANCHOR SO REEL was an impressive winner here last week and from the rail this afternoon, she’s the one to beat. (4) SLICK N SPORTY is consistently in contention at this level. He should be in the mix again.
Race 9 — (3) MIGHTY MACH lands in a spot where he figures to get another perfect trip, and I’ll give him the nod to notch the repeat. (6) YS LOTUS absolutely jogged last week but he didn’t beat much in that race. I’ll try to beat him in a spot that he will likely be overbet. (7) WOO SHARK is right there every week, and he should be part of the Tri again today.
Race 10 — (2) PUTNAMS FIRE will likely get an easy lead at the start again, and if she can steal a breather, she will be hard to beat. (9) UNPRECEDENTED’s current form is very good, but he shows only two wins from 42 starts in the past two years. Be careful not to take too short of a price here. (5) DONTBURSTMYBUBBLE should pass a few of these late and take a small share.
*
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.
More Tips from the Pros