Best Bet – (1) OH K MAN – Race 11
Spot Play – (4) LETS ROAR – Race 1
20-Cent Pick 5 Race 1: 1,4,5/3,5/1,2,3/2,3,6/4 = $10.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 4: 2,3,6/4/3,5/2,6,8 = $3.60
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 1,2,3/1,2,3/1,3,8/1 = $5.40
Race 1 – (4) LETS ROAR comes off a nice effort where she produced sharp late speed and she has McNair listed to drive. There’s lots to like here despite her taking on elders and she gets the nod. (5) AVENUE ROAD KATIE has been facing some tough veteran campaigners in the Maritimes and the addition of St Louis in the bike means she is on go for her London debut; using. (1) GODROTOUCHTHEMOON might deploy stalking tactics here which could work out better. She’s another in with a shot and I’ll use her in the Pick 5 which has a carryover of more than $9,000.
Race 2 – The second leg of the Pick 5 should come down to (3) MADAM DOLCE and (5) BEAUTY IS BLIND who have by far the best recent form. I’ll give a slight nod to the former who comes out of a faster race and use both in the Pick 5. (6) SUNSET SOPH looks next best and she may work her way into the Tri tonight.
Race 3 – (2) SUNSHINE N SHADE shoots for a threepeat here and he is likely to be on the point trying to fend off pocket-sitter (1) SHADOW TAIL who drops into a claimer and should provide a stiff challenge. These are the two that I’ll use in the Pick 5. (3) KATAPARKA is capable at this level with the right trip and he is another one you might consider for multi-race tickets.
Race 4 – (3) EATAAMSBETTERSHARK comes off an unusual race where he backed out of the leading pack heading into the last turn due to being funky-gaited, then came on again with a surprising rush to just miss. If he can pace the entire mile this week, he should be tough. (2) LIVIN ONA DREAM responded to the drop to claiming ranks and was game holding off the choice. He is a must-use for me. (6) JUST ROCK HIM made a big middle move at Flamboro and almost sustained it to get the win; another possibility.
Race 5 – (4) VILLAGE CHAMP is in tremendous form and is my lone single in this Pick 5 sequence especially getting his nose on the gate and with his most dangerous rival drawing the worst post. (7) SPORTS JACKET is fresh and looks ready but from post 7 I can only use him underneath the choice. (3) LARJON LUCKY is in solid form and he should make it into the Tri or Super in this spot.
Race 6 – (3) LASS SHOT was aggressively handled in the first leg of this series and she had no problem taking care of business. She gets the call to repeat here. (5) COOL PRINCESS was the other winner that night and although it was in slower time, she is in great form now and she shoots for four straight victories; using. (2) ANNUAL ROYALTY is capable of a good effort if she stays flat and she could add some value to the High-5. (9) STONEBRIDGE SYDNEY should be passing rivals late again here and she should be on the ticket. (1) HEID should leave fast again and stick around for a slice.
Race 7 – The horse that beat (8) CAVIARS TRIUMPH last time came back to win in the top class at Flamboro last night and off that frame of reference, this gelding gets top call here. (2) ENCHANTED MISSION has McNair listed and an inside post which makes him a contender in this spot; using. (6) OCEANVIEW DEB, coming off a rare break in stride, fits this class well and she should be in the Tri if she stays flat this week.
Race 8 – (3) MACH DIESEL’s race two starts back is good enough to win this and he is unlikely to get parked the mile this time starting from a better post and he gets the nod. (2) BLAKES CHIP should be leaving hard and he may get a great trip riding the choice’s pocket; using. (1) SPORTSLOVER can’t be overlooked starting from the best post and he is the third one that I’ll use in this Pick 4.
Race 9 – (2) SCENE A MAGICIAN raced tough but lost to the same mare twice in a row. She is gone and he draws well here so he gets top call. (3) NEBRASKA JACK was qualified well by St Louis over an off track and he has had some success with him in the past; using. (1) CHEATALOTPOV should go better here facing what should be easier and he can take a share.
Race 10 – (8) SUGAR SHADOW gets to face much easier here and she should wake up with an improved effort; slight nod. (3) ROBINTHEATM gets a positive driver change to St Louis and he is sure to put her in the race early. She’s on my late Pick 4 ticket. (1) ALPHABET QUEEN showed some late interest last week and if she can leave a bit quicker here, she will be in with a shot.
Race 11 – (1) OH K MAN takes a big drop here and draws best. He should be hard to beat. (4) KINGOFBROKENHEARTS also faces easier and Borth should put him into play vs. these; Exacta factor. (2) DEADLY ACTION is likely going to sit a nice trip from the outset and he should be in the Tri.
Race 12 – (1) LADY FINETUNE is helped considerably by the draw here and she could trip out this week in a race where her main rivals draw worse. (4) GOLDEN LEADER should be blasting again but she could get hung up in an early duel with (5) FASHION WRITER who gets aggressive teamster St Louis this week. (8) MARZANNK HANOVER is racing great and she should be in the mix despite drawing into the second tier. (3) MARGIE VALINTINE should sit a following trip and hang around for a share.
*
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.
More Tips from the Pros