Best Bet – (3) VEGAS ROCKS – Race 11
Spot Play – (4) RED JOHN – Race 9
20-cent Early Pick 4 – Race 2 – 1,2,3/3,4/2,5/3,8 = $4.80
20-cent Pick 5 – Race 5 – 3/2,5,7/1,2,5/3,4/3,4 = $7.20
20-cent Middle Pick 4 – Race 7 – 1,2,5/3,4/3,4/3 = $2.40
20-cent Late Pick 4 – Race 9 – 3,4/1,3,4/3/5,7,9 = $3.60
Race 1 – (4) TWIN B LAKER sprinted home faster (29.3) than his June 27 Rideau rivals in this field; followed Thundering Jim second-over from near-last headed to the half; continued to advance despite racing wide through second half; class/post relief for one of this field's two 2021 winners. (1) ST LADS CASH benefits from inside draw and class drop; shadowed gate-to-wire winning fave Road Runner Colony here last Sunday; gaining ground late; paced co-third-fastest last quarter (29.4) in nine-horse field. (3) LEVIS DAY actually improved on class hike, from tough Rideau post, last week; show finish was behind tonight's top-choice horse, for Guy Gagnon, who's gone with #2 Wildcat Cam this race; remains winless without Lasix.
Race 2 – (1) THUNDERING JIM started from statistically-poor Rideau trailing post last Sunday; despite that disadvantage, kept gaining in second half, diving for passing lane; only win here was Oct. 11, leaving from the rail in front-end trip that equalled his lifetime best. (2) THE ROADIES finished last as beaten 6/5 fave here Thursday; he took early lead duelling Wildcat Cam, lost and reclaimed it, leaving little energy to finish the mile; after race 6 accident, Samuel Fillion was replaced by catch driver Sebastien Turenne on this front-end-loving type whose most recent (qualifying) victory was with Fillion aboard. (3) SOLID MAN was beneficiary of The Roadies' tough race Thursday; Guy Gagnon stays with the going-away winner who was, as predicted last start, much better on a bigger track than on a half.
Race 3 – Huge post improvement for (3) JK ELLEM ENOH; closed in a field's-second-fastest 29.1 to finish third behind Malvolio, nearly overtaking (4) BETTIMONTHERIVER in deep stretch; Stephane Brosseau stays with mare who earned more in her last three starts than anyone else in this field; winningest of 2021 followed gate-to-wire winner Malvolio from pocket through conservative trip Thursday. (1) AMERICAN PARADISE showed marked improvement in Wednesday Rideau qualifier, although it should be noted he was beaten by a good trotter; form still puts him ahead of class-droppers with tougher posts and questionable recent results.
Race 4 – (2) UMPIRE HANOVER has Guy Gagnon back in the bike after disappointing show finish last Sunday; closed ground late in a field's-fastest 28.3 for show; couldn't catch runaway winner Wisk Key K then, but this field doesn't appear to have anyone else likely to try that approach tonight. (5) GETYOURLICENSELIAM has late speed; winning qualifier raises hopes, but he loses driver Robbie Robinson to two-year-old (6) DYNOMITES PEAK, who self-destructed in pari-mutuel debut but showed promise in previous Ottawa qualifier.
Race 5 – Undefeated this year, (3) THE LIGHT SPEED looks like a lock; class hike in name only for field's only back-to-back 1:53-range Rideau winner. (4) VANILLA MALTED enjoyed wiring field in a confidence-building Kawartha victory last Wednesday; loses usual driver Clarke Steacy. (8) OUTLAW KISMET is recently-claimed Mohawk invader; second consecutive start with Lasix; previous recent experience was on half-mile ovals.
Race 6 – (2) RICHSNORTHERNDREAM set career-best 1:56.2 in most recent Rideau outing; up in class, but with everything else in his favour this week. (7) FIT BITT lost all chance when Mr Contestant went on a break ahead of him right off the gate last Sunday; class drop from Preferred, but loses Simard to (5) SEVERUS HANOVER, who finished third in this track's Preferred two starts back; in a group where more accomplished rivals show recent breaking issues, he seems like a must-use in exotics. (1) RAISING RUSTY's been better gaited lately; unable to clear in first-over battle on last turn with Angels Kid last start. (3) FRIDO PV finished third as beaten 4/5 fave after putting in steps on first turn last Sunday; three-wide and seeking lead after crossing over from outer post, he recovered from misstep, made front, but came up empty when Crossfit came calling in stretch.
Race 7 – (5) GENESEE might be the currently-best closer in this group; sure to try and take down (2) ITS EDS IDEA, who's a marked man tonight; always wants the lead and won for Guy Gagnon in this style last July 5; has been vulnerable to closers. (1) BET TILL DAWN gets rail advantage, class drop and hot catch driver Ryan Guy; launched third-over attack from seventh at top of stretch last Sunday, gaining ground late; expecting him to race on or close to front end tonight, as in his best recent efforts at this track.
Race 8 – (4) OFFICER JONES seems to be Ryan Guy's choice over at least two other horses this race; closed in field's-co-fastest 29.1 for fourth last Sunday; still in pursuit of first seasonal victory since his Feb. 16 Rideau Nw2750l3cd pocket ride; late speed. (3) THRILLING TIMES put up a brave fight against National Debt in last Sunday's Preferred Handicap. (2) MACHO POLO is versatile; with two show finishes in a row against similar, he doesn't look like a threat to the top pair, but dependable enough: has missed board just once this year, from post #7, in the snow.
Race 9 – (4) RED JOHN was fourth as a Spot Play selection Thursday; that was on class drop, but from statistically-challenging post #6 (only the #7 hole is worse for Rideau pacers); three-wide from second-last just past the opening quarter (!), he endured a tough trip to finish respectably; new catch driver Samuel Fillion; previous driver Robbie Robinson isn't aboard anyone else this race. (3) ROAD RUNNER COLONY wired on class drop last Thursday; Richard Simard stays with him, seemingly choosing over the #7. (2) JIMMY BE GOOD had tough trip last outing; vulnerable late; still above classification of most recent win, without current form to place him above top two selections this race.
Race 10 – (3) MATTS TUITION finds ideal post and class relief to redeem himself; finished narrowly second as even-money fave last Sunday for Guy Gagnon. (4) BOBBIES POWER PLAY upset this race's top choice in last match-up; less element of surprise now for successful stalker who is lighter on wins than top pick. (1) TWOMACSONEMACH improved on class drop Thursday; class relief for pacer who was interfered with in previous effort at higher classification; late speed.
Race 11 – (3) VEGAS ROCKS and Samuel Fillion were parked out in fifth enroute to the quarter last Sunday; they stepped out again second-over behind Oceanview Magnum, a move that set them up perfectly to take down pacesetting 4/5 fave Whats Inthe Esky A in one of Canada's fastest wins on a 5/8-mile track this season. (4) RACEMUP is a frequent runner-up and less-frequent winner, even with Guy Gagnon in the bike. (2) SALTY ROBYN N is apparent choice of Stephane Brosseau over #6 Pantheon Seelster, in spite of winning with both last week; better draw for this one, who wired Nw4000l3cd company on class drop from Preferred, starting from same post position as tonight.
Race 12 – (7) MAGIC NIGHT actually improved on class jump to Rideau Preferred; lands outer post that isn't that bad for high-class trotters that like to come from off the pace. (5) SEEYOU MEN recently won in first start with Lasix; he's got second-winningest Rideau post for trotters tonight. (9) LMC MASS GEM can't be overlooked; fourth from trailing post in seasonal debut, he gave (4) CROSSFIT a run for his money last week from better post. Predicting a bounce for (8) VERO AMORE BI, who has tough outside assignment.
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Melissa Keith is a lifelong harness handicapper/bettor, Hervey/O'Brien Media Excellence Award-winning writer, and occasional racecaller. She is a contributor to TROT, Hoof Beats, Atlantic Post Calls, and Harness Racing Update, often covering topics related to wagering. Her most memorable bets include taking down the Truro Raceway Pick-7 pool for a $36 investment (it has not been offered since) and collecting $1,287 for a Woodbine Harness Pick-4 which cost a whopping $1.60.
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