Best Bet - (6) SHIPPEN OUT – Race 11
Spot Play - (5) MY STANDARDS – Race 5
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 2,3,5,9/1,4,5/2,4/1,5/5 = $9.60
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 7 – 2,4/1,9/2,5,8/3,5/6 = $4.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 2,4/1,5/5/1,5,8 = $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8 – 1,9/2,5,8/3,5/6 = $2.40
Race 1 — (3) HOLY CHIP just missed at this level two starts back, coming from off the pace. The draw was kind to him again and the time off may have done him some good. (9) JOLTED went to the lead last week and was passed late in the stretch. He should be able to work out a trip from the second tier. (5) HARD ROCK gets DesRoche back in the bike, who has had minor success with this gelding before. He should make the ticket.
Race 2 — (5) YOUCOULDBETHATGIRL is one of the more consistent mares in the field and has had success at Flamboro before. She is a closer and will be rolling down the stretch. (1) NORTHERN TAILWIND should race well from the inside and could be the early pace-setter. (4) NORWEGIAN DAD could be a factor underneath, if he stays flat.
Race 3 — (4) DELIGHTFUL MAGIC looks to drop and pop for trainer Chrislin Nother coming in from Mohawk Park. He missed by a head against tougher at Flamboro back on September 30. Look for him to be near the lead early. (2) RANGER HANOVER dropped to this class last week and couldn’t make up much ground through the stretch after a tough trip. He should improve in his second start against this class. (3) PREMIER KANE should be able to work out a trip from the inside after being parked the mile last out.
Race 4 — (1) MARVELOUS KISS dropped to this level last week and raced well considering the post draw. She dug in and made up ground through the stretch to only miss by a few lengths. She gets a key driver change to Kelly tonight. (5) BLING BLING made an uncharacteristic break after the half last week and never got back into the race. She has hit the ticket in three of her last five since returning from the layoff in mid-August. (7) WILDCAT ANTONIA has won two-straight, both while parked the mile. This is a decent step up in class for this filly. If she is anywhere close to as good this week as she has been, she could be a factor underneath.
Race 5 — (5) MY STANDARDS dropped to this class last out; she went to the lead in that effort and just got nailed on the wire. She fits in well with this group and will be very tough to beat tonight. (2) SHEILAS BRUSH is a versatile filly who has hit the ticket in 14 of 24 starts this season. Look for her to be on or near the lead early and battling down the stretch late. (4) LADY KAREN seems to be getting better with every start. She could add value to the exotics.
Race 6 — (5) BOOTS N BRIAN raced much better than the line showed last week. That was a lot of ground to make up from post six. He gets slight post relief tonight and could do better in his second start off the layoff. (1) DURHAM TOWN has speed and should work out a trip with an inside draw. (8) OAKROCK ELDORADO was my top pick at this level last week, and he won easily from the rail. Things will be more difficult this week, but he is worth a look underneath. (3) JOEYS KIDD will get a fresh set of driving hands tonight with Robert Shepherd in the bike. He is the closer of the field and will be coming late. (6) TWOMACSONEMACH couldn't get going from post eight last week. He gets a little bit of post relief tonight and could improve.
Race 7 — (4) IMACUTELILDOLLY gets a driver change this week to J. Harris following some decent efforts. She should improve in her second start at this level. (2) SHAKEITIFYOUGOTIT qualified like she is ready to go. She could be tough in her first start back off the layoff. (6) CENTURY HAVANA has been no worse than fourth in her last five starts. She is versatile and likes to hit the board; don’t leave her off the ticket.
Race 8 — (9) A BLACK DIAMOND will try to continue her success coming in from London tonight. She is a filly who has speed but can also close from off the pace. I like her in this spot. (1) BETTOR COUNTRY gets significant post relief for trainer Robert Fellows. She has been a closer in her most recent efforts but can show speed from the inside. The draw makes the difference for this filly. (2) LADY KATIE B is another consistent filly who likes to make the ticket.
Race 9 — (5) NIKI LOUDER has only been worse than fourth once since moving up to this class five starts back. Coulter gets along with this mare, and she should be ready to rock tonight. (2) WASAGA raced very well from post eight last week, making up some ground on the leaders throughout the mile. She has speed and will most likely be leaving here. (8) SEEL THE DARK didn't race that well last week from post seven in London. This week she gets the same kind of draw, which is a concern, but her closing kick could carry her through the lane.
Race 10 — (3) MIDNIGHT ICE has closed gamely from off the pace in her last two starts, only beaten 1 ¾ lengths last week. She draws into a good spot again, and could be a daunting presence down the stretch. (5) DEFCON SEELSTER is another consistent horse who has put up some decent speed figures as of late. He is a player who could play spoiler with the right trip. (2) WILLYWIN was a hard charging third against this group last week. Steward gets the drive again; if he stays flat, he is usable underneath.
Race 11 — (6) SHIPPEN OUT picks up Kelly again and will look to add to his bankroll, having hit the board in 50% of his starts this year. He enters first off the layoff for his new connections and should have no issues winning here. (2) SANTANNA TONY got the perfect trip last week and won easily against a similar company at Rideau. He could work out the same kind of trip tonight. (1) SEYMOUR LITTLE had to grind first-up last week and didn't have much left in the tank down the stretch. He can leave and should be able to get into a good position early. (7) FACE OF WAR raced well in his first start off the layoff from post five. He has speed and could add value underneath. (9) MISTER J R gets a driver change to Haughan and looks to continue his recent success.
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Michael Carter is the co-host of Post Time with Mike and Mike and also is one of the USTA Social Media/Publicity Coordinators. Carter got his start in the sport from going to the track with his father. Carter is the former announcer at Buffalo Raceway and worked at Northfield Park prior to working at the USTA.
Photo by John Watkins
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