Best Bet – (3) YOOOUKILIS - Race 3
Spot Play – (5) GROOGRUX KING – Race 10
$1 Pick 3 – Race 2 – 2,3,4,5/3/1 - $4.00
20-Cent Pick 4 - Race 5 – 1/1,2,3,4,5/5,6/2,5 = $4.00
Race 1 – (2) DELICATE TASTE looked much improved last week in her narrow defeat to Jim Who. She moves into a beatable group and would need only replicate her last mile to break her maiden. (7) LIL MEMORIES will look to carry his solid form into a third straight today, but the second tier raises doubt. Do not turn away anything greater than 9-5. (5) SEE THE DELIGHT has paid the bills for Donny Rankin in this 2020 season despite failing to find the winner’s circle. Include in verticals.
Race 2 – (4) LITTLEANNIEOAKLEY won her first of the meet last out in a sub-two-minute showing – speed which this mare is capable of replicating. St. Louis selected another for this dash; I will not. (3) KISS IT BETTER finally got off the schneid on August 27 after 28 fruitless attempts. Much of the opposition here is unintimidating, and she is the benefactor of St. Louis’ decision, who is clicking at 27 per cent. Very possible. (5) UP TO SPEC clicked twice in two starts for Drew but was thoroughly beaten last out. I foresee a rebound to make the ticket.
Race 3 – (3) YOOOUKILIS takes the drop to a class he’s demonstrated he can beat and picks up St. Louis. Little else needs to be said. (1) JOONER was frustratingly close in a three-wide try last week, but he’s seemingly finding his groove now. Unfortunately, he must overcome the challenge of beating the choice, which seems difficult. (2) MAGICS LUCKY CHARM closed bigtime to finish abreast of the above in that August 30 outing. She must be respected based on that greatly improved effort.
Race 4 – (1) FOR KEVINS SAKE has been pacing very sharp miles as of late; none better than last week’s 1:57.3 third behind two superior foes. He’s finally found a field in which he’s best – even better, he should offer a price. (7) GO MUD is racing very well at present; he too finished behind two tricky opponents and blazed a quick mile last time. He must deal with the trailing post and an in-form choice, but he also looks poised to win; your call. (3) LEAFS AND WINGS finished a strong second on yesterday’s card. I’ll back the veteran gelding to shrug off the fatigue and battle for a place in the tri.
Race 5 – This fascinating contest features four horses starting off two days rest or less. I’ll take one of those types in (1) REGALLY MAGNIFIED, who was parked the mile in a grueling race Saturday at Sarnia. He’s in solid form and gets the deadly combo of Nostadt and St. Louis; this one has too many advantages to pick against. (5) FRONTIER SEELSTER and (6) STONEBRIDGE STING look the best of the one-day gang. I’ll take the former for place on the back of his win over the latter yesterday, but they are very closely matched.
Race 6 – (1) IDEAL SPACE is already a six-time winner this year and figures to strike this week based on past cycles of form. Her rail draw and high-percentage reinsman should help her to victory. (4) DONTWANTALKABOUTIT returned from her scratch well, crushing similar foes on August 23 and beating all but the red-hot Stonebridge Sting last week. She merits inclusion here. (5) TELL EM HANOVER picked up a third-place cheque yesterday afternoon – she can do so again with a top-shelf trip.
Race 7 – (6) JULIAN I AM will go for the long weekend sweep of this class; he demolished it yesterday by sixteen (!) lengths. This field should prove a challenge, but it’s difficult to ignore a romp of that magnitude. (5) NEEDLECREST adds St. Louis after a strenuous performance at Clinton. He’s a gelding with quality who should compete in here. (2) DISTINCTIV SEAN will be in with a chance if he fires out to the lead as expected.
Race 8 – (2) SMILE IN STYLE faltered in recent outings but can return to past results with an easier group and St. Louis at the helm. (5) SPORTS ICON dropped two seconds in her start previous. Her last Leamington meet shows improvement through time and today’s effort could erase her goose egg in 2020. (1) A BIT A BILLIE is simply a consistent moneymaker that should be included in the exotics, especially from the advantageous post.
Race 9 – (6) AVUNCULAR had been knocking at the door prior to the three-week break he now returns from. Tyler Borth is likely to send him; after he makes the top, it’s a matter of sharpness. (2) EAGLE SCOUT slides back down the class ladder after his unimpressive fifth at Sarnia last week. He won his only Leamington start on August 23 and could pull a blinder in his return. (3) MASS BALANCE is the Nw2500l3 title holder after he held off a game Jooner to take the condition last week. A better post helps his chances to snag it again.
Race 10 – (5) GROOGRUX KING destroyed Sarnia horses yesterday in a race not listed in the form. Expect a juicy price and a better trip than the disastrous one last week that is also indiscernible on the chartlines. (1) JIM WHO gets a positive driver change, rail draw, and my respect after his determined win on August 30 and tough effort for place yesterday. Borth is likely to deploy a more confident tactic on the sophomore colt that keeps improving. (4) WINDEMERE EDDIE was narrowly denied by the choice after a pocket ride in his prior try. Veteran Garrett Rooney is more than capable of providing the steer needed to earn a trip to victory lane.
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