Best Bet - (2) ALACRITY - Race 9
Spot Play - (3) ASTERISM – Race 8
Early Pick 4 – 4,5,6/4/1,4,7/6- $1.80
Late Pick 4 – ALL/1/2,4,8/1,2,9- $12.60
Race 1 - (6) MELANIE G had a tough trip from the outside last week and tired towards the end of the mile. She gets the services of leading driver Guy Gagnon tonight. (1) VINTAGE MUSCLE draws the inside this week for the first time in a while. Expect him to be coming late. (3) PROFOUND PATIENCE closed gamely last week and just could not get by the winner. Expect another strong effort here.
Race 2 - (3) MRS DRAGONFIRE has an ability to leave off the car and the big driver change could very well make the difference against this group. (6) GIA DIAMOND did not get the best trip last week so we will throw that last line out. The class relief should benefit her as well. (1) MOREMUNKYBUSINESS gets the inside post this week. The last time she was on the rail she hit the board at decent odds.
Race 3 – (6) OLIVIA V put in a big effort last week with Auger in the sulky. She made up a lot of ground and drew off to win easily. Look for a repeat effort. (5) RUSTYS FLYING looks to be the speed of the race with her ability to leave off the wings. She has struggled with post position as of late, this move inside could very well make the difference. (4) REYS N A ROCKET has been an ATM machine as of late hitting the board in four of her last six starts. That consistency cannot be ignored.
Race 4 - (4) FOUR STARZ SPEED has won four of his last six starts although they were tight finishes. Last week, this 14-year-old proved how much fight he still had in him; look out here. (1) DOMITIAN HALL came first up in his last two starts and just did not fire. He could potentially rebound here. (3) WINGS OF BALLYKEEL was stung to the first quarter last week from the outside and he fought on in the stretch to just miss at the wire. The improved post makes the difference tonight.
Race 5 - (4) GENESEE has won two straight against this group and there is no reason to think that he won’t strike again this week. (7) MACKTWOWILLDEW draws tough this week but his speed should allow him to get a decent early position. Toss last week’s race, going to give another opportunity here. (1) PICK UP MAN, coming in off the layoff. probably needed that start. Improvement expected here.
Race 6 - (6) FLYING ISA N went right to the front last week against this group and never looked back. His versatile racing style makes him a serious contender. (4) PASADENA STAR battled through the first quarter, then sat the pocket the rest of the way but just could not stay with the leader. Deserves another chance. (2) LMC MASS GEM had a week off following three game, but tough efforts. Expect him to be close to the pace tonight. He should hit the board at decent odds.
Race 7 - (4) ITS EDS IDEA rebounded off that tough trip at Woodbine Mohawk Park extremely well. She gets the nod here; however, expect low odds. (3) EVERY GIRLS DESIRE got a brutal trip from the outside last week and was never a factor. Expect improvement with the driver change tonight. (6) WILDCAT CAM is consistently in the money so expect him to be a factor again.
Race 8 - (3) ASTERISM appears to be a value play in this race if you can get anywhere close to the morning line odds. He is the quickest horse in the race and should have no issues with these. (2) AMERICAN LEGEND has won two of his last three and fared well against the upper-level condition classes before. Worth a look. (1) CHEYENNE MOISHE was a force to be reckoned with in the US and that continues to hold true north of the border. Expect more of the same this week. (4) CLIFF DRUMMOND is another solid speed horse who likes to be a part of the action late. (9) LOOKIN ATA WINNER frequently takes shares, consider using underneath at a price.
Race 9 - (2) ALACRITY has the best speed rating (TM) in the race and for good reason. He has been racing against preferred company, this week he drops to face easier; one of the better plays of the night. (6) TALBOTCREEK SUZIE should be the early speed in the race and if she makes the front, she will be difficult to catch. (5) JETCREST is another big class dropper that should race back well.
Race 10 – There is a lot to consider in this race, with it being the bottom level condition and many of the horses have yet to start this year. (4) WIND WRITER is a full-brother to Windy Sport, who was very competitive on the OSS circuit as a 2-year-old. The dam, Wind Warning, has produced winners in the past. I think you can get a price here. (8) BEHAVENMYSELF qualified decently and the bigger track may play to her fancy. The track at Trois-Rivieres can be tough on some of the younger horses; worth a look here with the class drop. (2) LYIN TED was shut down following a pair of tough efforts as a 2-year-old, his qualifier signals that he may be ready to put forth a good effort.
Race 11 – (5) PICKEM has been performing well in his last few efforts and, as I mentioned last week, he is a versatile gelding. With an improved post this week and I look for him to be in the mix. (1) D GS DE VITO won four-straight to kick off his career and suffered his first defeat at Three-Rivers before he was laid off. He qualified well and if he holds to his form, he will be a tough competitor this week. (8) REALRUBIES AT PLAY has won three of his last six starts, including one victory in 2019. He is the hard closer of the field and should be around late.
Race 12 – (6) STONEBRIDGE BEACH gets the slight nod over the (4) in this race. He has consistently finished strong while passing horses. (4) BESTOFBEST HANOVER is likely the most consistent horse in this field although he can be trip dependent; consider underneath. (7) UFDRAGONS ROCKET tried different tactics two weeks ago and so far, it has worked for him, the issue tonight will be the outside post. Worth considering at the right price.
Race 13 – (1) E R RHONDA did not get a good trip last week, she rode the outside line for quite some time and just tired. The inside rail should allow her to be more forwardly placed. (4) SIERAS ROSE is consistent, hitting the board in six of her last six starts. After a slow start to the year, it appears she is coming into form. (8) JANS LEGACY makes her first start after being claimed March 29. Before the claim she was racing well; expect that to continue.
Race 14 – (2) KEEPER CRUISIN looked game in victory last week, showing his grit, holding on to win by a nose. He is a versatile gelding who has proven that he can fight off the competition, worth a play against this group. (8) ANGELO BENJO draws tough to the outside and is one of a few coming in from Trois-Rivieres making their first start of the year. (4) SUN OF A SHOW is the speed of the race, but can he hold on? Figure he is best used underneath.
Race 15 – (2) AMERICAN PARADISE comes into this race from Woodbine Mohawk Park where things just did not go his way; Throw that start out. He returns to a class that he has done well at before; worth a look. (1) MITT JAGGER gets the rail this week and when the draw plays to his favor he races well. (9) WALTZKING HANOVER got the trip last week but tired badly in the stretch although he managed to hold on to finish third. He has some speed to contend with and that could very well help him out late. (6) PLAYIN FOR KEEPS showed speed last week but couldn’t take it all the way. He is a versatile gelding, throw that race out and look for improvement tonight. (8) BEST TO HURST has frequently been taking shares as of late, as good of a reason as any to include in the Super Hi-5.
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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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