Best Bet – (1) NEED A ROCKET – Race 5
Spot Play – (2) BANK SHOT HANOVER – Race 6
60-cent Early Pick 3 – (Race 1) – 1,5/3,6/5,6,8 - $7.20
20-cent Early Pick 4 – (Race 4) – 1,4/1/1,2,8/1,3,6 = $3.60
20-cent Late Pick 4 – (Race 8) – 2,7/3,4,5/1,7,8/1,3 - $7.20
20-cent Late Pick 3 – (Race 9) – 3,4,5/1,7,8/1,3 = $10.80
Race 1 – (5) AMAZON DRAGON has been consistently good for several weeks and while he may be required to grind first up in this race, he should be tough regardless. (1) BALLPARKFRANK is likely to use the inside post advantage and play come and catch me and he could get brave on the lead here. (2) SUNNY BO figures to get a good trip racing near the front and he is an exotics factor here.
Race 2 – (3) ST LADS THRILLER goes for two straight at The Raceway after notching a convincing win in fast time last week. He should be hard to beat here. (6) SAUBLE PLAY has been racing against some good colts in his past three starts and he was right there each time. He can add some value to the Exacta starting from out there. (4) LYONS COPPERTOP is a logical contender coming in from Mohawk Park, but he could get over bet in this spot
Race 3 – (6) SPORTSLOVER was game last time, but he was just too far out of position to make an impact in the lane. He could take this at a price if he is in range at the 3/4 pole. (8) BLACK TITANIUM is an obvious contender coming off a sharp win, but I’m not sure that the 8-hole will be good for him in this spot. (5) ZEKE THE FREAK had little chance of re-rallying into an accelerating pace after he gave up the lead in a slow second 1/4 last time. He is still dangerous vs. these.
Race 4 – (4) BUGSY MAGUIRE has a couple of fast miles on display in his Maritimes lines and Sorrie should be aggressive with him here in his first start at The Raceway; top call. (1) LITTLEBITASWAGGER is sure to blast to the front leaving the gate and he will be a tough contender in this spot. (6) ROYAL SHIP hits the board frequently and he is a good one to use on the bottom of Tris and Supers here.
Race 5 – (1) NEED AROCKET was very sharp in his lone qualifier raced over a track rated one second slow and his swift first 1/4 indicates he will be the one to catch here; top call. (4) LET ME SEE is one-for-one and his good early speed puts him in the mix vs. these. (5) SMOOTH AS CHEDDAR had a nice debut race, but I fear he may not be close enough at the head of the lane to secure a win. I’ll use him underneath.
Race 6 – (2) BANK SHOT HANOVER hasn’t been asked for much vs. tougher in his last two starts now he draws inside, and driver Carroll should be sending him; top call. (1) BLUE MOOSE also faces easier and he exits the same race as the choice, but his lack of gate speed could put him at a tactical disadvantage. Your call. (8) ROUGH TRADE has notched some upsets here in the past rallying late in the mile. I’ll throw him in this Pick 4 as a price possibility. (4) BETTORS WESTERN should be rallying late for another share. (3) AMAZING PERCH should leave in the top five and stick around to be part of the winning High-5 combo.
Race 7 – (3) TERO couldn’t advance in a quickly run race at Flamboro where the pace accelerated in the back 1/2. He should have a much better chance here. (1) HIDDEN POTENTIAL should get a great trip coming off a break here; using. (6) OFFICER JONES should be rallying fastest and if he is in striking range at the 3/4 pole, look out.
Race 8 – (7) WINDSONG OPHELIA was a convincing winner as an overlay last week and her sharp gate speed should help her overcome the worst post; call to repeat. (2) ANGEL STATUS is an obvious threat if she can stay trotting this time. (3) MASTER SWITCH qualified against some classy ones and he should be in with a chance to take a good share here in this comeback race.
Race 9 – (3) RELLA TIVITY adds Lasix in a spot where she should be formidable. She gets the nod over (4) LYONS JAVELIN who adds Lasix and gets St Louis to drive. She should improve here the question is, by how much? (5) MOTOR DAME was good last time at Flamboro Downs, falling just short and she is worth a look for the late Pick 4 here.
Race 10 – (8) CHAMPAGNE JANE faces much easier here and she should beat these if she can work out a clean trip leaving from the second tier. (7) STONEBRIDGE SCORE should be blasting again, and he should be the one to catch. (1) A WHOLE LOTTA SASS drops and she should be forwardly-placed early here which gives her a decent chance to contend vs. these.
Race 11 – (3) STONEBRIDGE SCOUT gets post relief here and he gets hot driver Wray back. Notice that last time he drove resulted in a win from the worst post at Clinton. There’s lots to like here. (1) ROCKABILLY CHARM faces easier and draws the best post; obvious contender. (2) BUTE COURAGE N figures to get a nice trip here and he should take at least a small share. (9) SHIFTY NORM can follow the top three out at the start and get position that enables him to take a cheque. (8) SLIDE GUITAR is a good one to use in the 4-5 slots of the Super and High-5.
Photo by John Watkins
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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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