Best Bet – (5) SHOOTINFORTHESTARS – Race 6
Spot Play – (6) SPORTS ICON – Race 3
Race 1 – (1) WILLINGNESS has one win in 25 tries, but she is the only winner in the field and with the early speed she showed in her June 7th qualifier she might bottom this field out. (2) MISS SINFONIA makes her local debut off an even qualifier. She might be sitting in the choice’s pocket and that makes her dangerous. (5) TOONIE TEEN has shown enough speed to be competitive vs. these but he got no favour from the post draw; using underneath.
Race 2 – (1) FRONTIER SEELSTER is sure to use rail control to seize the front early in this mile and that should make him tough to beat. (6) SUNSHINE N SHADE qualified impressively for a high percentage barn here on June 6th and he should be a threat despite drawing a wide post. (3) STONEBRIDGE STING is likely to land in the choice’s pocket leaving the gate and he should stick around to be part of the Tri.
Race 3 – (6) SPORTS ICON might be able to clear to the front by the time they reach the 1/4 in this race and that makes her an interesting price play in this spot. (5) LITTLEANNIEOAKLEY is usually in the hunt, and she should be passing many of these in the back 1/2; Exacta factor. (2) KINNDERUNTOUCHABLE fits well on paper but she hasn’t won since October 2019. I’ll play to beat her today.
Race 4 – (3) BYE BYE DADDY looks live here coming in off a sharp qualifier over this track, and she gets the nod. (1) TEAM LEADER could sting the choice early, and she is the logical alternative in this spot. Veteran (4) IDEAL SPACE has a nose for the wire, and she would be worth a play here if she is getting ignored by the wagering public.
Race 5 – (2) STYLE SNAPSHOT sizzled here in her June 6th qualifier and I don’t think there’s any secret to what her strategy will be today. She will have to be caught. (4) REEL fits well here and he can take a lot of air and keep coming; Exacta factor. (5) LEAFS AND WINGS is also a good fit but the outside post draw makes him vulnerable in this spot and I see him closing too late this time.
Race 6 – (5) SHOOTINFORTHESTARS had a couple of races down south last month that should serve him well today, and he gets the nod in a race where he is likely to be sent hard leaving looking to control the race throughout. (2) STEVIE SEELSTER faced some tough mares when last seen, and she should be a threat here despite facing males. (7) MO BETTOR is frequently around the money at the finish. He could add some value to the Tri today.
Race 7 – (3) HERESTHATMANAGAIN races best when he draws inside, and he should have a good shot in this field. (7) DOVER SEELSTER looks revved up for a good try making his first start off the claim, and he’s worth a close look. (2) LIL MEMORIES has drawn poorly in many of his 2021 starts. He can take a share leaving from post 2.
Race 8 - (3) BROTHER AIDAN races best against $7K claiming types and he fits well here. From his inside draw he should be on the move early and he gets top billing. (2) TERRA COTTA LAD obviously has the speed to go with these but he often falls just short. I wouldn’t take a low price on this one. Veteran (7) KEATON is in his final year of racing but he is an honest trier that could sneak into the Tri at a price this week.
Race 9 – (1) PRICELESS SHADOW was a winner last time she drew an inside post two starts back, and she will probably look to control the pace from her rail draw; top call. (2) SEE THE DELIGHT should be leaving hard too, and she looks like the main threat to the choice. (3) MAJOR ARTATTACK is worth a look switching to driver Nostadt who also drove him in his most recent qualifier.
Race 10 – (5) AVUNCULAR lands in a good spot here, and he should be able to clear by the time they reach the 1/4 pole then lead these home. (4) DUSTYLANE THUNDER brings her A game every start it seems, and it’s hard to leave her out of the Exacta in a 5-horse field. (2) CARMENS FLUKE has a recent penchant for rounding out the Tri so that’s where I’ll use him today.
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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 six years. He is also a past president of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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