Best Bet - (3) MYINSIDEVOICE - Race 10
Spot Play - (3) QUEEN OF HEARTS - Race 2
20-Cent Pick 4 - Race 1 - 3,4/1,3/1,2/2,4,6 - $4.80
Race 1 – (3) NEEDLECREST lands in a spot where he can head right to the front and try to bottom out the field. Top call in the opening leg of the Catch Driver Pick 4. (4) TEREM A NEW ONE gets his nose back on the gate here and he raced tough two starts back at this level. He’s on my Pick 4 ticket. (1) DREAM ON DREAM ON projects to get another good trip here and he should take at least a slice racing near the front.
Race 2 – The last time (3) QUEEN OF HEARTS drew an inside post here four starts back she was an easy coast-to-coast winner and that scenario has a good chance of repeating itself today. (1) BLACK ELEKTRA made up a lot of ground in the back 1/2 last week and she could be a pocket rocket here moving to the rail. (2) ARTISTIC MEADOW figures to get a good spot near the front and ride that to a spot in the Tri.
Race 3 – (1) BLAKES BOY was a winner the last time he raced this low here on July 26th and he gets top call leaving from the best post. (2) STONEBRIDGE SCOUT has improving form and he gets post relief here. He has a good chance in this spot. (5) SHIPPEN OUT is another class dropper who should move up in this class but I prefer to use him underneath with the two top choices drawing better.
Race 4 – (4) LEVIS DAY last race is a toss due to broken equipment. He faces easier here and he should be tough in this spot. (2) KINGOFBROKENHEARTS was sharp enough to win in his first local start despite having missed three weeks. He could be sharper here; using. (6) DEMACHRACY was a winner here on July 26th and he is dangerous in this spot if he can clear to the front leaving the gate.
Race 5 – (2) LARJON LESTER lands in an unusual spot where he is the lone male taking on a field of all mares and from a good post, he gets the nod. (6) BLOSSOM ONTHEBEACH hasn’t raced this low in a while and she could be a good price play in this spot where she fits better. (3) SYDNEY SEELSTER qualified well for this and she could take her first share since returning to action.
Race 6 – (5) HOPES SOLO will likely head right for the front and lead these all the way if she stays flat leaving the gate. (3) IONIA broke while leading at Sarnia and she is another who has strong claims here but is risky because of her frequent gait issues. (7) WHAT CAN I SAY draws worst, but he could inherit the lead early here if the top two choices miscue at the start.
Race 7 – (1) LARJON LENA went a huge trip to win at Hanover and she should be tough to beat. (2) KEMPENFELT wasn’t far behind the choice and she should be a speed threat here. (4) JUSTALITTLEBETTER’s most recent qualifier was decent enough that she may be able to take a share here.
Race 8 – (2) DOMINO SEELSTER finished well in his debut and he should be more forwardly-placed early here; top call. (3) WRITE HIM UP is an obvious contender moving inside and he could end up being the one to catch here. (7) STATE OF TREASURE has some of the best form here but from out there he may be coming too late to take more than a small share.
Race 9 – (1) SPARKLE FARKLE has improving form and she draws the best post here; price play. (3) PANERAI chase solid fractions and prevailed at Hiawatha and she should be a big threat here right back. (4) SELENIUM had a rough trip last time and still wasn’t beaten badly. She’s another in with a chance in a contentious race.
Race 10 - (3) MYINSIDEVOICE made a successful power move in the third 1/4 to win going away last week here and he gets the call to repeat. (2) LAND OF ROYALTY was no match but he did race well to get second behind the choice and he can round out this Exacta, too. (1) SMOOTH AS CHEDDAR comes off a nice win but moves up to face tougher here; smaller share predicted.
Race 11 - (2) SCENE A MAGICIAN only missed his life’s mark by one tick when winning the Walker Memorial and he will be tough to beat with anything close to a repeat performance here. (8) CHEATALOTPOV classes up well here but he will need to work out a trip from there. (5) SIZZLEN HOT HERBIE has a knack for coming up big in these kinds of races; beware.
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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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