Best Bet – (4) JAYPORT HI CLASS – Race 5
Spot Play – (1) STEVIE SEELSTER – Race 8
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 1,2,8/3,4/4,8/4,5/4 = $4.80
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 2,8/2,4,7/1,6/1,4/3,4,8 = $14.40
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3: 4,8/4,5/4/2,8 = $1.60
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7: 2,4,7/1,6/1,4/3,4,8 = $7.20
Race 1 — (2) LILI GL couldn’t catch (8) GREYSTONE TREASURE last week but she has a major post position advantage this week, and she could lead these all the way. The latter has been on fire but she wants the front, and she might never see it starting in the second tier. I wouldn’t take a short price here. (1) HAVARTIWON missed five weeks between starts yet she still closed to hit the board. She has upset potential starting from the rail tonight; using.
Race 2 — (3) WARRAWEE WIZ gets his nose on the gate for this, and he should be tough to haul down this time. (4) ESSENTIAL WORKER wore down the choice but couldn’t hold off a rival that rode her cover. She should be the main threat; using. (5) DIMANTE VIC qualified well for this, but he could get stung early so I wouldn’t take a short price.
Race 3 — (4) FARMERWHOSEMYDADDY ships in and finds a good spot to take her second lifetime win, I’ll give her the nod. (8) STEELY DAWN is one of the fastest in here, but she will need to work out a trip starting from the second tier. I’ll use her on multi-race tickets. (6) LADY JASMINE finishes 2nd or 3rd more than 50% of the time, and she can land on the ticket here.
Race 4 — (4) TILTHELOVERUNSOUT should make front easily in this field and she should prove tough to catch; top call. (5) MY OLD STUD LEROY won in slow time but he trotted a nice back 1/2 while doing it, and he is worth using right back. (3) CJ GLIDES has gait issues but he should be in the Tri or Super if he stays flat tonight.
Race 5 — (4) JAYPORT HI CLASS faces much easier here, and he will be tough to beat if he stays flat tonight. (6) STONEBRIDGE NITRO has raced well twice in a row from this post position, and she is a logical alternative if the choice falters. (2) PETRO DEALIN shoots for two straight wins in this class, and he is another possibility if the choice’s gait issues continue. (8) JACKSON STORM comes off two solid tries at this level and he is in the mix again tonight. (1) PLAYFULL ELEGANCE gets out of the second tier tonight and she should land in the Hi-5.
Race 6 — This should be an easy spot for (2) LEVIS DAY and picking up St. Louis won’t hurt; top call. (8) MACH ART IN MOTION fits better here too. He should turn things around and contend for a share this week. (4) MAINTENANCE MAN is another that fits this class well, but he has missed close to a month so I’ll use him underneath.
Race 7 — (2) LEFKADA draws much better here, and that gives her a chance to be in contention at the 3/4 pole. She gets the nod vs. these. (4) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO has won 12 of his last 29 starts, and his consistency should be respected here; using. (7) SIZZLEN HOT HERBIE is obviously one of the best in here but, drawing widest, he might have to pass them all. Let price be your guide if you like him.
Race 8 — (1) STEVIE SEELSTER — parked the mile last week — won’t suffer the same fate here starting from the rail, and she should have a good chance racing on or near the front vs. this group. (6) PDQ HANOVER made a nice late charge last week, now she picks up St. Louis to drive and she is a good price option for multi-race tickets. (2) CENTURY HARLOT has hit the board more than 50% of the time so far in 2021 and, from an inside post, she should be part of the tri again.
Race 9 — This race sets up as a repeat of last week’s with (1) DOMINIUM DEO racing in (4) FLUFF ME UP’s pocket and getting by late for another win. (2) YOOOUKILIS should get a better trip tonight and land in the Tri.
Race 10 — (4) HALLSGLENSMAVIS races off the Cochrane claim here and she seems to fit well. I’ll give her the nod in a tough race. (8) TOWN DELINQUENT comes off a dominant win vs. easier, but she isn’t out of place here and she is worth a look at a price. (3) MANHATTAN NIGHT is a tough rival at this level and she is hard to toss starting from an inside post. (1) RANDOMIROGEO steps up in class but, with her good speed, she should be able to take a cheque starting from the rail. (9) BUTTERMILK HANOVER should land in the bottom of the High-5, passing a few of these late.
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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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