Best Bet - (2) MYSTIC MESSENGER - Race 8
Spot Play - (4) DOMINUM DEO – Race 5
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,2,3/1,6/2,5,6/2,3/4 = $7.20
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 2,5,6/2,3/4/2,6 = $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 7 – 1,2,4/2,6/2,4/2,3,4,6,7 = $12.00
Race 1 - (3) HARPERS HAT TRICK has won three of his last four starts and has faced talented competition. He gets over the track well and will most likely be the pace-setter. (1) PARTYINTHESHADOWS has won two straight and proved that he could race from just about anywhere. The inside draw makes him a valid contender this week. (2) BIG CHIC MAGNET has put up some solid speed figures through the past couple of starts; he will be on the ticket somewhere.
Race 2 - (1) ROLL WITH THE FLOW gets some much-needed post relief tonight. The inside draw should allow him to be closer to the pace. (6) ATHENS SEELSTER has done well in recent efforts but the draw wasn't as kind to him this week. (4) COURAGEUX is another that stands a big chance to improve this week with post help.
Race 3 - (2) DROWNS THE WHISKEY has been hit or miss over the past couple of starts. He returns to Grand River, where he has had some success before. (6) NYTRO J could be the main danger to his stablemate, my top selection. He closed gamely from off the pace last week to miss by a neck, look for the son of Big Jim to be on the scene late. (5) WRITTEN IN STONE gets a key driver change to Travis Henry looking to improve this week.
Race 4 - (3) KEEP WATCHING closed firmly from off the pace last week and got nailed right on the wire. She has shown speed in prior starts, primarily when she draws the inside. (2) MOONSHINERS CREDIT gets Coulter back in the bike, who has previously done good things with this mare. She has speed and figures to be on or near the lead early. (6) CENTURY GALA has struggled with the post draw the last 2 weeks; she gets slight post relief tonight and could work her way onto the ticket.
Race 5 - (4) DOMINUM DEO showed speed from post six last week, and after taking the lead, he never looked back. He gets post relief tonight and could make it two in a row. (3) SUPER T comes back to Grand River after two successful efforts at Clinton. He gets a key driver change to Colin Kelly tonight. (1) MUSCLES APLENTY dropped to this class last out and got leg-weary through the stretch off a couple of weeks layoff. She should improve from the rail tonight.
Race 6 - (6) LARJON ALEXANDER added Kelly to the bike last week from post six, and it proved to be a winning move. He showed last week that he could leave off the gate, expect him to be up front early. (2) COUNTRY BOY TOUGH didn't get the best trip last week from post seven; I'm pitching that effort. When he draws inside, he has shown that he can handle his own; this is a good spot for this gelding. (7) HARDY MILL JOE faces tougher tonight, but could sneak onto the ticket at a price. (1) HELLO YOU gets some much-needed post relief tonight for trainer/driver Ondrej Gois; I could see him making the back part of the Hi-5 tonight. (8) KEIRAN could be worth a look underneath with the addition of Coulter in the bike.
Race 7 - (2) SOMETHING ROYAL has won two straight, both from the outside. Tonight, she gets post relief and will most likely make it three-in-a-row. (1) WOODMERE ROLLILY has only missed the board a handful of times this season; she is a versatile mare who does good work no matter what kind of trip she gets. (4) LAND OF PARADISE is currently hitting the board at a 50% clip this year; I like her chances underneath with Henry back in the bike.
Race 8 - (2) MYSTIC MESSENGER seems to be rounding into form for trainer Michael Sumner. He gets another favorable post draw this week and looks tough to beat. (6) JETSET CHARMER adds Kelly to the bike off a game victory last week where he was forced to fight off a challenge through the stretch. (1) BAD BOY SPROXY gets some much-needed post relief; look for him to improve.
Race 9 - (4) BLUE MOOSE will most likely be favored this week as he takes a drop in class. His speed figures are solid. (2) GO DADDY GO comes off Lasix in his first start since 2019. His qualifier says that he is ready to go. (6) DRACHAN HANOVER ships in from Mohawk Park this week to take on the easier company. Shippers tend to do well here.
Race 10 - (7) REGGIES GAME raced very well last week, going to the front and never looking back. He draws outside tonight but has shown the ability to close before. (2) DELIGHTFUL MAGIC is a consistent gelding that has started to put things together as of late. He can race from anywhere, and with little speed inside, I see him leaving. (6) GAMBLING ADDICTION was stung to the first quarter last week and still managed to win easily as the favorite. He figures to race well tonight. (4) KODIAK SEELSTER drops out of the Prospect Series to face this group tonight. He gets post relief, making him a solid play. (3) SEIZE CONTROL stayed with the leaders after a first over effort last week. He raced better than the line shows and could make things interesting.
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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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