Best Bet – (1) QUEENOFHEARTS – Race 10
Spot Play – (5) EATAAMSWRITEREDY – Race 4
20-cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 6/1,3,5/2/2,8,9 - $1.80
20-cent Late Pick-4 – Race 7 – 1,3,4/1/2,4/1 - $1.20
Race 1 - (4) KINGSTONS BAD BOY has had a case of seconditis as of late, but always manages to be close in the end. (1) ARTS FIRST LUCK is an interesting play from this spot, especially after that trip last out being parked the mile. Continues with St. Louis this week. (2) BEARLY A SECRET didn’t get the best of trips last out from the outside, throw that race out and use underneath.
Race 2 – (1) BIG BOY FRAZIER has won three of his last five starts, with the no contest back in December. He steps back up to a class that he has won before. (4) SPORTS NATION is a gelding that rarely misses the board. He picks up Carroll this week; that can only improve his chances. (2) TAILS AWAY was parked the mile last week and had no opportunity late, give him another chance underneath.
Race 3 – (6) SICARIO was sharp on the front-end last week. This is interesting scenario for him here with not a lot of speed to his inside. Definitely a player this week. (3) IONIA comes in after facing slightly tougher at Flamboro, no reason to think that she can’t go with these. (4) POWER AND GRACE hit the board in 20/24 starts last year, this mare is super consistent and should perform well here.
Race 4 – (5) EATAAMSWRITEREDY has been racing well as of late, if he gets into a good spot early, I think he could handle this short field. (3) BACKRIVER DUKE didn’t get the best of trips last out at Flamboro, he comes in to face easier tonight; I like his chances to hit the ticket. (1) JULIAN I AM draws well again this week after getting a little leg weary last out, don’t ignore underneath.
Race 5 – (2) ANGELS KID was parked the mile last week and still managed to hold on for second, this is a gelding that should race very well first off the claim. (6) SNAPSHOT SPRINGS was a winner against this group last week, he has good speed and should be able to be forwardly placed early. (4) LODI DORIAN BLUES raced well from post six last out, post improvement should make a difference.
Race 6 - (9) ASTERISM couldn’t come through against this group last week, but he raced extremely well. There isn’t a lot of speed for him to follow inside, it will be interesting to see where Shepherd places him early. (2) DASHIKI is a gelding that always seems to get into road trouble somehow, he draws the inside this week and should be able to bounce back. (8) REGALLY MAGNIFIED has raced well in London before; he has the opportunity to step up and race well here. (4) MOHEGAN BLUE CHIP dropped to this group last week and just did not pop. Think he deserves another chance underneath. (5) GO MUD made a slight miscue last week, the extra distance has benefitted him before, this could be his night to light up the Hi-5.
Race 7 – (4) PHONE IN gets Kelly back in the bike following a three-length win from the second tier last out. Look out for him late, he will be motoring. (1) SINGHAMPTON KENNY improved with Lasix last out, I see that improvement continuing here. (3) BANK SHOT HANOVER is a gelding that frequently hits the board, he has a good shot here.
Race 8 – (1) TAROT should be able to improve second off the layoff for trainer Patrick Shepherd. It wasn’t a fair fight last week as he was parked the mile, expect better. (8) ANGEL STATUS doesn’t get the extra sixteenth of a mile but does get a good spot to close from in the second tier. If she is anywhere close to what she was two starts back, she is dangerous in this spot. (3) ILL STAY HERE has been up and down at Flamboro so will try her luck against slightly tougher.
Race 9 - (2) KEATON was sharp last week and just ran out of racetrack late. He was forced to come from off the pace in that start, but the better post draw gives him a chance to improve this week. (4) LITTLE QUICK missed the board last week, but that appears to be a bit of a fluke. Expect him to be better tonight. (8) C L SPORTACTION qualified okay at Woodbine Mohawk Park, this horse would be rated higher in my selections, but the two-month layoff is a bit of a concern.
Race 10 – (1) QUEENOFHEARTS beat this field in hand last week, she should have no issues again tonight. (9) W C KENZIE COOKIE was a sharp winner last week for trainer Teesha Symes. Tonight, she goes the added distance for the first time with some strong TrackMaster ratings. (4) SHADOWOFHERSMILE has turned the corner and appears to be strong again, don’t count this Shadow Play mare out. (3) SGT NEILGREENBERET struggled last week from the second tier, and while making up ground late, just could not overcome the traffic trouble. (6) DYNASTY SEELSTER is as consistent as they come and seems to like the extended distance.
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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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