Best Bet - (4) BUCKEROO – Race 6
Spot Play - (3) DIRTY BEACH – Race 9
20-Cent Pick 4 - Race 1: 1,2,5,6/1,3,8/3,7/1,4 = $9.60
Race 1 - (6) LETS LEAVEM has been a good Racing Under Saddle performer and if he can overcome the outside post, he could kick off this Catch Driver Pick 4 at a price. (2) TALBOT EH PLUS has been 2nd in three straight RUS races. She’s due for some better luck and she may lead these all the way. (1) DOMINUM DEO shows a RUS win at Georgian and he can’t be counted out - especially from the rail. (5) WAIKIKI HANOVER shows a fast RUS qualifier recently and that gives him a chance in a contentious race.
Race 2 - (3) JOYFUL KATE draws her first good post in several weeks and I expect driver Steward to send her this time; top call. (1) SO LONG SUGAR is another who figures to leave that is on my Pick 4 ticket. (8) THRILLOGY wasn’t far back when McClure drove two starts back. She has upset possibilities. (7) EVAS BEST GIRL fits well here but from post 7 I’ll use her underneath only.
Race 3 - (7) CENTURY GAGA faces easier and she should be sent hard leaving the gate by Steward here. She gets my nod over (3) LADY TO WATCH who crushed weaker here last week and is the main danger. (5) GLOBAL CRUSH keeps Mcnair and he should hit the ticket here. (2) STEELY DAWN should be good for a smaller share starting from an inside post.
Race 4 - (4) MORAMAPPO drops and gets McClure and there is no chance you will see anything close to the 10 to 1 morning line quote, but that estimate should help add value to the Pick 4 payout. McNair is sure to send (1) BLACKCREEK ROSEBUD for position leaving the gate and she is in with a decent chance here. (3) BEARY YU VON smoked easier here last week. I’m playing to beat her in this spot. (8) MA REBELLE would be rated higher if she drew a better post.
Race 5 - (5) WAVE THAT BANNER lands in a good spot to take his first win of the year and he is likely to go off much lower than his 6 to1 morning line quote. (2) INVITATION TODREAM gets the leading driver and his nose back on the gate. He could try to go right down the road in this spot. (4) JOEYS KIDD should be helped by the field being short and he isn’t without a chance against this group. (1) BAD BOY SPROXY figures to beat at least two of these starting from the inside.
Race 6 - (4) BUCKEROO faces much easier here and he should go right down the road vs. these. (5) DEMACHRACY is the other leaver in here and he may ride the choice’s pocket most of the way; Exacta factor. (8) LEVIS DAY exits the same race as the choice and he can take a share vs. these. (6) R THINKING MONSTER figures to contend but the outside draw likely limits him to a small share this time.
Race 7 - (4) TALADEGA SEELSTER won from the worst post here last week so moving to the middle of the gate will likely make him tough to beat. (1) FLAMES CAMMI BOY is dangerous moving to the rail post. You only need to look at his race two starts back to see it. (2) FACE OF WAR will be leaving but I don’t see him lasting for more than a share. (3) PAY LATER usually hits the board when he draws inside. He should be in the Tri or Super.
Race 8 - (1) ROYAL SHIP gets huge post and driver improvements here and he could prove tough to beat if McNair sends him for position leaving the gate. (3) GOLDEN SAND is the other expected leaver and he could end up providing a perfect pocket for the choice. (7) RED JOHN fits well here and he could be a good longshot play in this spot. (4) WHOZYOMOMMA is a good one to use on the bottom here as she can come on late for a share.
Race 9 - (3) DIRTY BEACH has been facing better at Grand River and she should have a good chance to break her maiden here. (4) VINTAGIOUS is in the mix every week and he should be the one the choice needs to fend off. (5) MONTANAS GOLD gets McClure back for another drive and with slight improvement she can share. (2) FULL CREDIT comes off a better try and starting from the inside he figures to make it into the Super.
Race 10 - (4) COMING YOUR WAY fought gamely in defeat last week here and she gets top billing against this group. (6) ACEFORTYFOURLADYDI also comes off a game 2nd-place effort but she is at a post disadvantage here; using underneath. (2) DONT EXCLUDE ME can improve sharply starting from an inside post; beware. (1) PRIDEINMYSTRIDE shows some decent efforts in the Prospect series. She should be in the exotics mix here.
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Garnet Barnsdale is a veteran handicapper, bettor and racing writer who has worked as an analyst for DRF Harness for the past five years. He is also the current President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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