Best Bet – (4) MASSIVE OVATION – Race 2
Spot Play – (5) THE LOAN RANGER – Race 1
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 5,8/4/2,8/3,4,7/1,2,5 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 1,2/2,3/2,4/2,3,8/2,3,7 = $14.40
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4: 3,4,7/1,2,5/1,2/2,3 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8: 2,4/2,3,8/2,3,7/3,5,6 = $10.80
Race 1 — (5) THE LOAN RANGER drops and gets St. Louis in the bike. A big speed try is likely coming; top call. (8) ATEYATEFNGERSLOUIE had little chance racing against better and starting from a wide post at Flamboro last time. He is a much better fit here and he is worth a look for the early Pick 5. (4) PROBERTS LEGACY raced well here at this level two starts back but he is only 1 for 31 in the past two seasons. He is possible vs. these, but I wouldn’t take a short price. (6) DREAMING OUT LOUD was 2nd from this post at this level last time. He can take a share here.
Race 2 — (4) MASSIVE OVATION is at least a couple of seconds faster than his rivals in this race. It’s hard to see him getting beat here. (1) SANDORAN HALL gets major post relief and he looks most likely to complete the Exacta. (3) GLANDCASTER HALL broke while on the move last week. He can land in the Tri if he stays flat tonight. (8) ARCHANGELS GLIDING can build off a decent debut and take another share here.
Race 3 — (8) P L ORCHID has missed six weeks, but it might not matter here because of the class and speed advantages that she holds; top call. (2) WRITENINSAND S BG shows a nice win two starts back from an outside post, and she should be the main threat here in a spot where she fits. (3) BEST KEPT SECRET was racing well before she encountered the slop last week, and she should be part of the tri vs. these. (6) SEEL THE DARK is worth a look for the exotics with St. Louis in the bike.
Race 4 — (4) TRADE BARRIER gets her nose back on the gate tonight and she is the one to beat here; top call. (3) RUN LIKE HILL raced against a colt that has won several in a row at Flamboro Downs and that was a decent effort from post 8. I’ll use him on early multi-race tickets. (7) CAN DO IT ALL is likely going to try to clear to the front leaving the gate and, if she can, she could lead these all the way; using. (5) LASS SHOT is a good one to use on the bottom of the Super.
Race 5 — (5) DOMINUM DEO has the best recent form of any of these, and he may go to the front and impose his will. He gets the nod. (1) JMR PINARELLO obviously faces easier here, but he hasn’t raced in close to two months. What price will you accept? (2) MUSICAL SPELL is another that should do well at this level, but he comes off a break in stride. Your call. (8) RIDDLE ME MISS is usually a good one to use on the bottom of the Tri or Super. (3) YOOOUKILIS rarely misses a cheque. He should be part of the High-5.
Race 6 — (1) SANTAFES MJ gets class and post relief here and Sorrie won with her five starts back. She might lead all the way from the rail tonight. (2) MAGNOLIA MOONSTONE looks like the main danger, starting next to the choice and keeping St. Louis in the bike. (3) REMINISCE ROAD races better from inside posts. Give her a look for the exotics. (7) GREYSTONE TREASURE dominated from the rail, now she draws worst. I’ll play to beat her tonight.
Race 7 — (3) JAYPORT HI CLASS comes to play every week and he stacks up well in this field tonight; top call. (2) TYMAL HOUDINI is likely to head right to the front leaving the gate, and he should be the one to catch here. (1) GOALTENDER has improving form, but I prefer to use him underneath the top two in this spot. (5) SCENE A MAGICIAN can pass a few of these late for a spot in the Super.
Race 8 — (2) COCO BEACH DE VIE will be sharper after getting a start in last week and Coulter will likely look to trip her out. I’ll give her a slight nod in a tough race. (4) CENTURY GIANNA is in a much better spot here and she figures to be a threat; using. (1) LADY NATASHA is sure to be blasting, but I don’t see her lasting for more than a small share. (6) GOLDEN LEADER beat similar last week but she loses McNair. I’ll use her on the bottom.
Race 9 — (8) HEAVY DUDE E is on a roll right now, and if he can work out a decent trip from his second-tier post he should take another here. (3) A BLUE BLOOD fits well and draws inside. She should be the main threat. (2) INSANITY should be the first leader and, if he gets left alone on the engine, he might get brave; using. (1) JACKSON STORM should be good for a small share from his inside post.
Race 10 — (3) MACH MY KISS gets away from the tough mare Westbeach here and she is a big threat to lead all the way. (2) BUTTERMILK HANOVER paced a big mile uncovered on the rim last week. She is sharp and dangerous. (7) CASIMIR SWAMP GIRL is hard to leave out but, from the 7-hole, she is no lock in this field. I wouldn’t take a short price. (4) REYS N A ROCKET has a great record this year, and she can close for a share again this week.
Race 11 — (6) C U PRINCESS stormed home to win here at this level last week despite having 39 days between starts; call to repeat. (3) WHISKEY TO WINE was sharp in defeat when dropped to this level last week, and she should be the main danger here. (5) KEEP WATCHING had a rough trip last time at Flamboro. She is capable of a big speed try vs. these. (4) RAMBARAN ROSE can pass some of these in the back 1/2 and take a share. (1) SAULSBROOK EASY should take a cheque starting from the rail.
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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 Ryan Clements Photos
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