Best Bet - (2) SHEZIS A BEAUTY - Race 2
Spot Play - (3) PREMIER BETTINA – Race 6
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,3,5/2/1,3/2,5,7/2,3 = $7.20
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 1,3/2,5,7/2,3/3,8 = $4.80
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7 – 3,6/4,5,7/1,4,6/3,6 = $7.20
Race 1 — (1) LA PLAYA DEO is one of the more consistent horses in the field, but he made a costly break at the start last week in a race that he should've won. He can win this, if he stays flat. (5) CAPTAIN GODRO raced well off his qualifier last week. He has been getting better every week and should be a contender tonight. (3) COURAGEUX gets some post relief this week and should be able to use his speed to his advantage.
Race 2 — (2) SHEZIS A BEAUTY drops back to the Prospect Series, where she has had some success. She gets over a half-mile track well and has speed. (1) MARA LOU should improve with some much-needed post relief tonight. This filly by Betterthancheddar has hit the board in 50% of her races this season. (3) KAYS WRITER makes her first start in the Prospect Series tonight. She has improved with every start; consider her for exotics wagers.
Race 3 — (3) P C FREE WHEELING raced well considering she was parked the mile in her maiden voyage. She should have no issues with this field tonight. (1) DIRT will remove hopples tonight for the first time since his initial qualifier back in March at Flamboro. Rail should give him an advantage here. (5) MONSTER MASH was able to make up some ground throughout the mile last week. Worth a look underneath.
Race 4 — (5) MOONSHINERS CREDIT looks to drop and pop in the claiming ranks after a couple of challenging efforts against the conditioned company. Coulter, who has driven her to both of her 2021 wins, is back in the bike tonight; she's a player. (2) TWIN B BEACHDREAMS is a versatile filly who has shown toughness racing from the outside. She looks to improve tonight with post relief. (7) LADY TO WATCH came back to Grand River last week and won easily from post seven. The draw shouldn't bother her too much.
Race 5 — (3) DONT WRITE ME OUT gets a driver change to Colin Kelly tonight off a considerable effort last week against this group. He does his best work when near the lead and should use his speed from post three. (2) CAPITANO ITALIANO closed nicely from off the pace, winning by 1-1/2 lengths on 9/14. Drawing inside here, he should get a good trip and be on the move late. (4) EXIT SMILING gets a driver change to Henry tonight; he steps up in class and is playable underneath.
Race 6 — (3) PREMIER BETTINA has been battling sickness issues of late. She gets class relief tonight coming in from Mohawk Park and a driver change to Scott Coulter. (8) SOMETHING ROYAL has been no worse than fourth in her most recent efforts. She is versatile and post eight will make things tough, but she should make the ticket. (1) MOONLITEBEACH qualified well after being pulled up in her most recent effort at Clinton. If she is ready to go, she should do well in this class. (9) WOODMERE ROLLILY is another talented filly who has had success with Sorrie in the bike before. (2) TRANSENDANCE could add value to the exotics with an inside draw.
Race 7 — (3) RYE N CLYNE has been racing well in the claiming ranks throughout Ontario. He has a lot of ability and can race from anywhere. (6) MYSTIC MESSENGER has won two of his last three starts against the $7,000 claiming ranks. The draw wasn't kind to him, but his speed should allow him to get a decent trip. (1) HARD ROCK draws the inside and is another in the field who should improve here.
Race 8 — (4) FIRST GLANCE draws into a good spot tonight and should continue to succeed. (5) SOUTHWIND SANDOR has put together a series of positive efforts over the past few starts and is the main danger here. He is a decent closer and will be rolling late. (7) PARTYINTHESHADOWS is another closer who should hit the ticket at decent odds.
Race 9 — (1) WILDCAT DELIGHT has won two straight by open lengths; she draws the rail and should repeat tonight. (6) BETTIMONTHERIVER won as my top pick last week by two lengths. She handled the step up in class to this level well before; she is worth using in the exotics. (4) HANNAH ON THE VIRG seems to be getting better with every start. She gets post relief here in her fourth start off of the layoff.
Race 10 — (6) YS DELIGHT looks to make it four-in-a-row tonight; he proved last week post six would be no issue. (3) ACROBAT HANOVER has hit the board in four of seven starts this season. He can race from anywhere and could be dangerous to my top selection. (2) SUNSEEKER gets some much-needed post relief tonight; he won't have as much ground to make up this week. (8) SPEED LIMIT draws tough, but his speed figures are hard to ignore. He could make some noise early in the mile. (5) TOUGHSONOFABEACH has finished no worse than fourth in his last six starts. Don't leave him off Super Hi-5 tickets.
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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 Tiffany Chantel Photography
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