Best Bet – (1) LEXUS RANGER – Race 1
Spot Play – (1) P C DOUBLE DOWN – Race 7
$0.20 Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1/2,3,6/1,4,6/1,2,7/4,7 - $10.80
$0.20 Pick 3 – Race 4 – 1,2,5,7/4,5,7/1,4 - $4.80
$0.20 Pick 4 – Race 7 – 1,2/3,6/1,7/2,3,4,6,7 - $8.00
Handicapping Challenge Picks
Race 1 – (1) LEXUS RANGER flew home last out with a blazing last quarter. The winner won by four and a half lengths and promptly stepped up to the Golds. He will be more forwardly placed from the inside post and should capitalize. (6) MARAUDER SEELSTER was well-placed last time and had every chance. Regardless, he was solid there and figures to be competitive. (4) USURP HANOVER closed well last time and can challenge with a workable trip.
Race 2 – (6) FEELIN SOME MAGIC gets Marc St. Louis in a soft spot. She wasn’t far behind place as winner Essential Worker blew the rest away. This one should be best. (2) TRADE BARRIER was fourth in that contest and should be closer with the better draw today. (3) LUNA SEELSTER showed ability in her last start and should get a piece in this group.
Race 3 – (4) SIR BALLYKEEL gets strong driver McClure after making the fastest debut of the field on Jul. 15. Improvement likely. (6) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS put in a decent qualifier and should be sharp in his first start today. (1) NORTHERN IRONMAN gets the rail and St. Louis against a field whose debuts went similarly.
Race 4 – (2) ADORE HIM should be able to make best use of his early speed as he finally gets post relief. Mohawk regular Henry is aboard. (7) SHADOW TAIL just missed last time after a taxing trip but faces the task of overcoming post seven again. He has the best chance to do so with the combo of Nostadt and St. Louis again. (1) PRICELESS BEACH qualified well and appears ready to finally begin his five-year-old year.
Race 5 – (7) FEEL THE FORCE went first-up and battled home in the Grassroots on Jul. 15. He proved to be a game gelding and is a strong contender here. (4) MASK OF ZORO was third in the Grassroots on Jul. 15 in a game closing effort. McClure steers this time and should be able to make something out of the four-hole based on the gelding’s last effort. (5) KILIMANJARO is worth a look based on the speed he showed in his first start but also warrants hesitance due to his final-quarter break.
Race 6 – (4) PRESTIGE WORLDWIDE blew away foes twice at Grand River this season and was competitive against Grassroots company on Jul. 4. Her break last out is likely to drive the price up, providing value on this worthy contender. (1) LIMINARY HANOVER is the one to beat after two workmanlike victories in a row, but she should have won by more last time after a 1:03.3 middle half on the lead. She draws the rail, giving her the best shot at a repeat. (5) PETRO ANGEL nearly caught Liminary Hanover last time and may reverse her fortunes if she can sit behind a hotter early pace.
Race 7 – (1) P C DOUBLE DOWN was stung in the first quarter last time and faded as a result. Several horses in front of him were competitive in Golds on Mohawk’s Thursday card this week, and I expect him to be a winner from the rail, especially with Henry steering. (2) VINCES WHEELING was second to a strong Marvin Hagler on debut. This gelding got a tightener qualifier and should be ready to roll with McClure on board. (3) REAL COOL MOVES was competitive in his conditioned start on Jul. 23 and may carry that form into his second Grassroots attempt here.
Race 8 – (6) SORPRESE steps down again and will be very dangerous with St. Louis at the lines. (3) WEST RIVER CINDY was second to a strong Lefkada, who is off to Mohawk this week. This mare has shown three excusable second place finishes and has her best chance in weeks today. (2) ZACK TO THE MAX also drops again and should be in the mix.
Race 9 – (1) JAYPORT HI CLASS is on a hot streak which seems bound to continue with the inside draw. (7) FORTUNE TELLERS K got up last week in the drop from Grassroots company, but she must overcome post seven and an in-form choice. She’s a ‘Roots winner and will challenge today. (2) PLAYFULL ELEGANCE showed improvement last out and may be starting a spell of better form. She’s worth inclusion in single-race exotics.
Race 10 – (6) BETTORS HOPE is on the rise, and St. Louis in the sulky again offers him the best chance to continue soaring. (2) THATLL BE SPORTY offers the best chance of upsetting, having beaten him on Jul. 10 and Jul. 17. This one will be close. (4) BETTOR ATTITUDE has been strong in three straight starts and should be added to pick fours.
Race 11 – (7) DINNER AT THE MET is much the best on paper in this contest and should repeat. (8) C L SPORTACTION is close every week. I expect him to take a share here. (2) ETERNAL RULER won two back with an incredible closing move. He should be in the mix from post two.
Race 12 – (1) STYLE SNAPSHOT adds Lasix and retains St. Louis after a tough first-over outing. She will be well-placed from the rail and should take care of these. (2) ASBRAVEASMYMOMMA improved significantly last out but takes on a tough foe. She’ll be hard to catch for place. (6) A BIT A BILLIE can take a share with a ground-saving trip.
Race 13 – (4) WILDCAT DELIGHT gets a much easier condition and starts for St. Louis and Nostadt. This is a golden opportunity to rebound from a game but taxing effort last time. (1) CAYO LOCO will be her top challenger. This aged mare had her heart broken last week as she missed her first of the season by a nose. She’s a tough mare and won’t be denied for much longer. (9) DOVER SEELSTER may be able to get a piece if can work out a ground-saving trip.
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