Best Bet – (3) ARRAKIS – Race 3
Spot Play – (6) WHO SAID NOT TO – Race 7
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 1,2,5/3,5/3/2,3,5/2,5,8 = $10.80
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 2,7/2,3,6/6,7,9/2,4,5/1,2 = $21.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3: 3/2,3,5/2,5,8/2,7 = $3.60
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7: 2,3,6/6,7,9/2,4,5/1,2 = $10.80
BET WITH HPI
FULL RACE CARD
Race 1 – (5) MA REBELLE draws better here, and she should get an aggressive steer from Cullen; top call in the opening leg of the guaranteed $10,000 Pick 5. (2) STREAKAZANA is back in for the lowest claiming tag, and she should show speed from her inside post tonight; using. (1) WINDSUN GAGA followed a strong winner home last week when she dropped to this level, and she is another that should be in the hunt tonight.
Race 2 – (5) UF BETTORS HANOVER couldn’t seal the deal at 2 to 5 last week but that was still a solid effort, and he looks best here; top call. (3) NO BETTER JOY is another that fell just short as the chalk who should be prominent tonight, possibly leading these all the way; using. (1) PERFECT ROLO figures to work out another good trip tonight, but I prefer to use him underneath facing tougher here.
Race 3 – This is a field that (3) ARRAKIS should handle, and Plante will likely be blasting off the gate with him. He should be the one to catch here. (7) DORO SOGNO has been on fire in his past six starts, but he might get forced to take a seat early by the choice. I’d be careful to not take a short price here. (1) BUCKYS ANGEL figures to sit a good following trip racing near the front and stick around for a share.
Race 4 – (2) JACK OF CLUBS has taken plenty of money in both starts since returning from a break but has only taken one 3rd. He could be ready to fire his best now, and I’ll give him the nod in a spot where he may control the pace from the outset. (3) UBER HANOVER was claimed out of a decent Mohawk Park effort but he has been win shy for a while. This is an easier spot, and he figures, but he could get overbet. (5) MOSSIES ART should improve getting away from the hot Privilege. He is another in with a shot.
Race 5 – I don’t think there is any question that (8) WAR FILLY is the best mare in here. She missed 15 months though and draws worst, so the big question is: what kind of trip will she get? If she gets put into this race she could win by a big margin. (2) LIVELY ROCKET was closer last time, now she gets a driver change to Ryan who should be more aggressive with her; using. (5) DOUBLE T GRRR got an aggressive drive from Richardson two starts back, and he returns to the bike tonight; price look. (4) FERN HILL BELLA gets post relief tonight and that should translate into her taking a share. (7) STEELMEATREASURE rarely misses a cheque. Toss her on the bottom of Hi-5 bets.
Race 6 – (2) PRIVILEGE gets another good spot here with his main rivals lined up in wide posts. He should be tough to overhaul. (7) DAY DELIGHT can be the main danger if he lands in the pocket early, and he is the other one that I’ll use in multi-race tickets. (6) EXIT SMILING faces tougher in this leg of the Pop Up series and a small share is likely for him.
Race 7 – (6) WHO SAID NOT TO does his best work on the front end, and I expect Coulter to send him in this field; top call. (3) TWOMACSONEMACH was claimed by a young driver/trainer who will probably look to get position with him leaving the gate. He can be a threat racing from close range. (2) RYE N CLYNE is always around the money it seems, and he’s hard to leave out of the Tri.
Race 8 – (6) WITCHES N ANGELS drops to the non-winners of two level and picks up Sorrie to drive. With a 2 for 38 record, I’ll give her a slight nod here. (7) FLANAGAN DESTINY fits better in this class too but post position isn’t ideal. I wouldn’t take a short price in the win pool here. (9) YETI SET GO has won three of four and broke in the other start. These are tougher but she could get a spot midpack leaving the gate, and she is in with a shot.
Race 9 – (2) SHAKEITIFYOUGOTIT does best when she can secure a loose lead and try to bottom out the field. Dropping and drawing inside gives her every chance to impose her will, and she gets top call. (4) ROSELLA is another that gets class relief here, and she could be the first-over challenger that the choice is trying to fend off late; using. (5) WOODMERE ROLLILIY will likely get forced to take a seat early by the choice, but she isn’t without a chance in here.
Race 10 – Tough race here to close out the late Pick 4 and Pick 5. It seems as though it will set up for a stalker and (1) MORTGAGE MY VILLA fits that profile; slight nod in a wide-open race. (2) ITS EDS IDEA goes for trainer Shepherd off the claim, and he is also listed to drive. His speed makes him dangerous. (4) SIMON SAID has a nose for the wire, and he gets post relief here; using. (6) ALWAYS N THE MONEY is accurately named, and he should be part of the High-5. (3) JAYDENS PLACE is another that takes shares regularly at this track; using on the bottom.
*
Garnet Barnsdale is a veteran handicapper, bettor and racing writer, who has worked as an analyst for DRF Harness for the past six years. He is also a past president of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
Photo by Ryan Clements
More Tips from the Pros