Best Bet – (6) STORMONT RARE – Race 6
Spot Play – (3) LET THERE BE ROCK – Race 1
Race 1 – I’m going to take a swing here on (3) LET THERE BE ROCK who moves inside and gets the leading driver. If he was ever going to wake up and break out of his winless funk, it’ll be right here. (4) ROCKABELLA is always around the money it seems, and he should be closing for a good slice here. (1) MACH LIAM will be dangerous dropping back into a claimer and drawing the best post. He could lead all the way here.
Race 2 – (2) PRIVILEGE has been deadly racing at this track and he should get back to his winning ways here. (1) CASEYS DRAGON has also done well here and this could be a great battle between these two to decide the winner. (3) CARWINS SMORE should get a good trip and hang around for a share in this short field.
Race 3 – (5) ALLERAGE STARGAZER sticks out here and she’ll be hard to beat at a very low price. (1) MUSCLE LANE was third to the choice two starts back and leaving from the rail here gives her a good chance to complete the Exactor. (2) ORDER MATTIE should trip well and take a share vs. these.
Race 4 – (1) ROCK N ROLL BABE has a chance to go right down the road here and I look for driver Gillespie to force them all to take a seat early. (3) SPORTY GUSSIE hasn’t won in a long time, but she is getting closer and her good gate speed should get her at least a slice in this spot. (8) NO TEASING ME is one of only two horses in this field that has recorded a win this year. She has the speed to get position early and she is a threat here despite her post.
Race 5 – (4) CHOREOGRAPHER can blast and last in this spot; top call. (1) FOUR FOR ORR should be no worse than 2nd when they hit the 1/4 and he is the one that the choice must fear. (2) EAST BOUND EDDIE projects to get a nice trip here and he is a good one to use underneath in the Tri.
Race 6 – (6) STORMONT RARE holds a big speed advantage on this group and he’ll be hard to knock off here as the odds-on choice. (4) CADENCE SEELSTER will fly off the car and be the one that the choice needs to overtake; using. (3) SHES A BENTLEY has improving form and she should be part of this Triactor.
Race 7 – (2) ITS MACHADEMIC has the speed to blast to the front and wire this field and getting Gassien to drive may be what it takes to make that happen; upset special. (1) DRAGON WAVE comes off a win but goes back to the trainer driving here and he is 1 for 14 at the meet. I’ll use him underneath. (7) LITTLE CLAYT looks obvious off his last line, but the switch in post likely will be a negative for him. I’ll play to beat him.
Race 8 – (5) LIL SCREAMER has a great chance to double up here, but you won’t get much of a price. Seek value underneath. (7) BRITCHES SAY WHAT was 3 to 5 against the choice and she faltered late. Moving outside her price climbs and I’ll try to get her in the Exactor here. (3) DEUCE HELIE is an obvious one to use in the Triactor in this spot.
Race 9 – (5) HALTON HURRICANE tracked then overcame the fastest pace last week and his price should be good here; top call. (1) SHES LIGHTS OUT was a dead-game victor and from the rail she will be tough again. (4) OAKROCK ELDORADO is always in the mix and he’s hard to leave off Tri tickets.
Race 10 – (5) RUSTYS FLYING is almost always the best on paper in this class. Only racing luck gets her beat sometimes. (4) PUTNAMS FIRE knocked the choice off last week so she is an Exactor factor here. (1) GIA DIAMOND looks next best and she could prevail if the top two do battle at some point.
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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 five years. He is also the current President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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