Best Bet - (1) OUTLAW GUNPOWDER - Race 7
Spot Play - (6) RADICAL J J – Race 6
20-Cent Early Pick 5 (R1) – 2,3,4,6/1,2,3,7,9/2,4/2,4,7/6 - $24.00
20-Cent Early Pick 4 (R3) – 2,4/2,4,7/6/6 - $1.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 (R8) – 1,5/2,5,6/4,6/1,3,8 - $7.20
Race 1 - (2) WARRAWEE WIZ went to the front last week and never looked back. He gets over the track at Grand River well and should be successful again with the improved post draw. (6) DENISE gets a driver change tonight to Travis Henry, who picks up the drive for the first time. She has a lot of ability and should be rolling late. (4) RANGER ROB, the closer of the field, may be able to sneak onto the ticket for trainer David Holliday.
Race 2 - (9) HAVANA MOON steps back in class tonight for trainer John Bax who is an 18% winner when dropping in class. (2) OCEANVIEW ARCHIE struggled from the second tier against more challenging company last week; he just had too much to overcome. He draws into a better spot this week and should be closer to the pace. (1) SHAMMIE HALL made a break last out and was able to make up a ton of ground before tiring. If she stays flat, she is very dangerous and a serious contender.
Race 3 - (4) ADARE CASTLE put up a significant number in the opening Gold leg of the Ontario Sire Stakes with a decisive four-length victory. She has a lot of speed and will most likely be the early pace-setter. (2) CLOCKWORK ORANGE was game in defeat in first start of 2021, which was also a Grassroots race, but she stepped up her game last week in the Pure Ivory series. She is a daughter of Too Good For You, who produces two-year-old winners at a 21% clip. (1) DA ROYAL MIRACLE takes a big step up in class following two straight wins, one against Grassroots company.
Race 4 - (4) ERIKAS SHADOW has been no worse than third in her three recent starts against claimers. She gets over the Grand River surface well and should have no issues tonight. (2) T C SCANDAL likes a half-mile track and enters first off the claim for trainer Corey Johnson, who hits the board at a 50% rate with fresh claims. (7) ROSELLA’s ability to pass horses late makes her a danger.
Race 5 - (6) NEON LIGHTS steps back in class tonight looking to improve off a decent effort against the Preferred group last out. He has speed and will most likely be leaving here. (2) WISHYOUDTELLME steps up to face more challenging rivals off a dominant victory last out. His speed figures are some of the strongest compared to his foes. (1) SCENE A MAGICIAN ships in from Sarnia tonight. He is a versatile gelding with the ability to flash speed from the rail.
Race 6 - (6) RADICAL J J made an uncharacteristic break in her last start here. She gets a driver change to James MacDonald, who has driven her before. Her last win at Grand River was a five-length score on September 20. (4) RUN LIKE HILL was parked the mile last week against a class similar to this one and faded; throw that out. He looks to leave from here and figures to be in the mix. (1) PETER CROWN has put up some prominent speed figures against this class. Inside draw benefits him. (9) KEYSTONE CECILIA will try her luck at Grand River for the first time for conditioner Carmen Auciello, whose trainees hit the board when stepping up in class at 24%. (3) MOVIN TO THE TOP has been no worse than fourth since March; she figures underneath.
Race 7 - (1) OUTLAW GUNPOWDER has excelled since returning to the races, racing exclusively at the B tracks. (4) EXCALIBER SEELSTER handled post seven well last week, making up a decent amount of ground through the stretch at Georgian. Post help could produce a positive result. (2) MAY TO FOR steps up in class for trainer Sheldon Rose who hits the board at a 29% clip when facing tougher.
Race 8 - (1) ANGELONIA tired through the stretch in the Pure Ivory at Mohawk Park. She gets some post help tonight, and if she stays flat, she figures for Dr. Ian Moore. (5) BABY LONGSTOCKING frequently passes horses and has shown a lot of ability to close from off the pace. (3) GRACE stepped up to face this group last out and handled it well. She is a solid closer and is a contender underneath.
Race 9 - (6) GAB IN MOTION got stung to the first quarter last week and still drew off to win easily through the stretch. Coulter picks up the drive again for trainer Tony O' Sullivan. (2) CREDIT SKILL enters tonight for trainer Tyler Nostadt who currently is hitting the board at a 55% clip over the last year. (5) AIM HIGH HANOVER stepped up to this class last out and put in a massive performance. She continues to get better every week.
Race 10 - (4) SEYMOUR LITTLE enters off an 11-day layoff and gets a driver change this week to James MacDonald; look for him to improve. (6) HERCULE J M is a solid gelding who frequently hits the board. He likes to come from off the pace; post six should be no issue. (3) NATES BUCKY has been known to leave off the car and gets over a half-mile track well. He figures to be in the mix and could hit the board.
Race 11 - (3) VICTORIAHASASECRET gets over the Grand River oval very well and enters off a game victory in her last start. (1) YOUCOULDBETHATGIRL has hit the board in her last two starts; inside draw makes her dangerous against these. (8) NORTHERN TAILWIND has been no worse than fifth since coming back from the COVID-19 layoff. He could bring some value to the exotics. (6) FINAL CHEQUE didn't get over Sarnia that well from post seven last week; he returns to Grand River, where he has had success before. (5) CD MAX made a pair of breaks in his most recent effort but still finished third. He will need to mind his manners but could bring value underneath.
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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. JJ Zamaiko Photo
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