Best Bet – (1) LARJON LUCKY - Race 2
Spot Play – (5) BET ON A DREAM - Race 4
20-cent Pick 4 - Race 1 - 2,3,6/1/1,2,4/5,6,8 = $5.40
Race 1- We kick off the $2,000 Guaranteed Catch Driver Pick 4 with a Racing Under Saddle event and I’ll side with RUS veteran (2) LETS LEAVEM to kick off this 12-race card with a win. (6) ALL OUT HENRY is another RUS veteran who should contend here and he should be a good price; using. (3) DOMINUM DEO had a good RUS qualifier on July 2nd and he gets a veteran rider. He’s another in with a shot here.
Race 2 - (1) LARJON LUCKY gets major post relief here and he should be tough in this spot. (3) CAYO LOCO classes up well vs. this field and she should be prominent throughout; Exacta factor. (4) REAL WICKED races tough every week but he is often trip dependent. I’ll use him on the bottom here.
Race 3 – (4) ACEFORTYFOURLADYDI destroyed weaker at Dresden and she should be the one to catch here despite facing slightly tougher today. (1) LITTLEBEARCAT is the other one coming off a win and she could trip out in the choice’s pocket here; using. (2) MOMSALIMEY had an encouraging debut and is she can lay closer this time; she will be in with a chance.
Race 4 – (5) BET ON A DREAM takes a big class plunge here and I expect Sorrie to put him into the race leaving the gate; top call. (6) MR CHEESEMAN was good in every leg of the Austin Memorial series and he is worth a look at a price for the Exacta. (8) HEZA HANDY MAN is in tremendous form but this is a tougher spot and I’d demand a price with him starting in the second tier.
Race 5 – Interesting race with so many quick leavers signed on. I’ll side with (3) DESTINY CRUISE who may just impose her will in the opening 1/4 then lead all the way from there. (2) QUEENOFHEARTS is the likely pocket sitter and the one the choice will need to repel late. (8) BEARY YU VON can pass some of these late and if the pace really slows, she might pass them all.
Race 6 – This is a perfect spot for (3) BETTORS HOPE to make his debut and he is likely to get an aggressive steer; top call. (1) RIVER DALI is the most consistent in this field but he has had a few chances already. I wouldn’t take a short price here. I like (7) MACH AND LOAD’s July 12th qualifier and he’ll be on my Tri tickets.
Race 7 – Not much good current form to go on in this race. I’ll try (3) MACHCELLERATOR who gets his nose back on the gate here and picks up Henry to drive. (4) REDWHITEANDBOOTS gets a driver change to Kelly who might be able to motivate this gelding; using. (5) SIN CITY BOOGIE takes a big drop and he’ll be chalk here. I’m not sure he’s worth backing at a short price, however.
Race 8 – (2) DREAMING OUT LOUD draws perfectly to keep his unbeaten streak alive; top call. (4) BIG SIR races tough every week and he should be the main threat racing from close range. (3) COLIMA could be the pacesetter in here and I see him hanging around for a small share.
Race 9 – (5) EVASIVE CARD SHARK faces easier and he gets a big driver change here. He could wire these. (3) JAKE PARRISH is in solid form now but his slow starts often put him in a bad spot. I won’t take a short price here. (1) KENDAL FRESCO should ride a good following trip to a share in this spot.
Race 10 – This should be an easier spot for (1) EXCELLENCE than the open claimers she has been facing and she gets a major post advantage on her main rival (7) OCEANVIEW DEB who will likely need to cover a lot of ground to get there today. (2) LUCKYJOHANNA should get position early and she is another who can win this with the right trip.
Race 11 - (1) BACKRIVER DUKE has raced well here in three of four starts this summer and he should be tough from the rail. (2) DA NEWS moves inside and gets a driver change and he should be heard from in this spot. (3) TEREM A NEW ONE should show some speed from the inside here despite having missed a month; using underneath.
Race 12 - (4) MORAMAPPO is racing great and there are a few factors here that will likely lead to her being an overlay. I’ll take a stab with her. (5) JESSICAS LEGACY almost won here three starts back and she should be a big threat shipping back in from Mohawk Park. (3) IM A DEBUTANT missed some time and although she drops here, I’ll pay to beat her.
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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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