Best Bet – (3) PULL ME THROUGH – Race 7
Spot Play – (7) QUICK TOUR – Race 8
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 4/1,2,3,5/2,4,5,7/1,5,7/1,3,4 = $28.80
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 1,7/3/1,4,7/3,6,8/1,2,3 = $10.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4: 1,5,7/1,3,4/1,7/3 = $3.60
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 9: 3,6,8/1,2,3/1,5/1,8 = $7.20
Race 1 — (4) SAUBLE PLAY faced tougher in his last two starts, and this looks like a spot where he can lead all the way; top call. (8) KEATON has been facing a win machine at Leamington the past two starts. This veteran knows where the wire is and he has upset possibilities tonight. (6) STONEBRIDGE BETTOR is in solid form but, from a wide post, I’ll use him underneath. (2) DEBS NEW MAN should be good for another share taken off a following trip.
Race 2 — (1) A BETTER MAN was solid in victory here last week. He gets rail control tonight so he has a good chance to repeat. (5) EATAAMS SPORTSBABY was a powerful winner when claimed, and he should be a threat right back. (2) CASEYS DRAGON gets the leading driver tonight, and that makes him worth a look for the early Pick 5. (3) BET THE LIMIT goes for team Wray off the claim, and he should be in the hunt tonight racing from close range.
Race 3 — (5) HIDDEN POTENTIAL would be a standout in this field had he not missed two months due to lameness. I’ll still give him a lukewarm nod but use others. (2) GMC TROOPER is a must-use for me getting St. Louis and an inside post. (7) LAWMEN REIGN is capable vs. these and his driver is one win away from career victory 5,000. I’ll use him on this Pick 5 ticket. (4) ILOVEWHATIDO comes off a decent try and he picks up teamster Kelly. He isn’t out of this.
Race 4 — This looks like a good spot for (5) REAL WICKED and he gets St. Louis tonight so an aggressive steer is likely; top call. (1) ROSE RUN VORTEX exits some tough NW6 races and he has a good chance to wake up in this spot; using. (7) ACEFORTYFOURTALON gets a notable driver switch here to leading reinsman Kelly and he is a threat to blast and last. (4) ETERNAL RULER should be good for another share in this spot.
Race 5 — (1) SHIFTING VIEWS gets the rail in a spot where he looks like a good fit and maybe Wray works out a perfect trip here; top call. (3) WISK KEY K raced tough in $15K claimers in Ottawa and he should be a threat tonight vs. these; using. (4) BO DOVER’s potent early speed should play well over this track and he is hard to toss. (8) DRAGON TEEN likely comes on late again for another share. (2) RISING DRAGON is a good one to use on the bottom of the High-5.
Race 6 — (7) BUILDING HOPE looked like a winner at the 5/8ths pole last week, but she was going too fast and she stopped in the lane. I could see Cullen making the lead this time but finding a breather for this filly. I’ll stick with her. (1) LADY LIBBY has faced better and she draws the rail now. She should be the main danger. (6) LADY JASMINE looks like a threat every week – as she does here – but she has now compiled a 0 for 16 record. I’ll be using her underneath. (3) TIGGERS CREDIT is worth a look for the Super with Kelly driving.
Race 7 — (3) PULL ME THROUGH is the only winner in the field and she is about four seconds the fastest on paper. She will be everyone’s single. (6) PANNINGFORTREASURE can likely drop in second leaving the gate and hold that position to complete the Exacta. (4) YOUR TIME DOLLY and (2) STYLISH N SPORTY are the other two to consider for Superfecta plays.
Race 8 — (7) QUICK TOUR made a nice recovery from an interference break last time. Maybe Horner sends him on a speed mission tonight; top call. (1) A POSITIVE HANOVER exits Leamington’s signature race and he should improve in this spot; using. (4) JKNR LIKETELL fits well here and he’s hard to leave off multi-race tickets. (6) ARTISTIC PICK rarely misses the top four. Consider using him on Super tickets.
Race 9 — (6) BRAVE WORLD was facing tougher at Flamboro and he should be looking to lead these all the way tonight. He gets the nod. (3) OUTLAWGRABBINGEARS should be prominent getting out of the second tier tonight, and he is in with a decent chance. (8) J J POWERBALL went a big trip against the tough GROOVY JOE who was much the best. He has a chance vs. these. (1) EASTON BEACH comes off a nice win at this level at Grand River, but he missed all of October. I’ll play to beat him here.
Race 10 — (1) SIGHTS ON YOU gets post relief and St. Louis in the bike, so a speed try is likely tonight; top call. (3) MELODY MAKER is another that gets a better post to work from and he should get a much better trip tonight; using. (2) SHADOW WARRIOR gets his nose back on the gate which should lead to immediate improvement, and he is the third one that I’ll use on multi-race tickets. (7) WILLIAM ROSS shows three top-four finishes in a row from this post; use underneath.
Race 11 — (1) TEREM A NEW ONE almost won from post 5 last time Kelly drove and that driver returns here. He is the one to catch. (5) SEYMOUR LITTLE is worth a look for the Pick 4 getting St. Louis in the bike tonight. (3) MISTER J R comes off a much-improved effort and he is in the mix here. (4) BLACK VINNY was 4th at this level here three starts back. He can take a slice tonight.
Race 12 — (8) COMING YOUR WAY is a hot mare right now, and this race could set up perfectly for her potent late kick. (1) A BLACK DIAMOND is the obvious one to beat, but there are one or two in here that might sting her early. I wouldn’t take a short price. (2) LETS ROAR should get good position early and ride it to a share. (6) STEELMEATREASURE brings great form from Ottawa, but she wants the front and so do others. I am inclined to play against her this time. (3) DAZZLING ROSIE can get a following trip 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.
Photo by Ryan Clements Photos
More Tips from the Pros