Best Bet – (4) AMERICAN TOUR N – Race 7
Spot Play – (2) RETURN TO STYLE – Race 2
20-Cent Pick 5 – 1,7/1,2,7/1,6,7/1,3,5/2,7,9 = $32.40
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 1,6,7/1,3,5/2,7,9/3,4,5 = $16.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 1,3/1,2,3/1,2/1,3,4 = $7.20
Race 1 – (7) TEETER was no match for sharp winner Stormy Hall GB last time but he should be able to handle these if he can clear to the front early and that is something that he should be able to do. (1) HOKIE DOKIE left quite well last week from post 8 and he should be on go early here. He is a definite threat from the rail this time. (8) DAY OF HONOR might have too far to come this time starting from the widest post. I’ll use him underneath.
Race 2 – (2) RETURN TO STYLE led all the way last time she drew inside and I’ll call her to upset in a race with several options. (1) ASBRAVEASMYMOMMA should get a great trip and she is one that I think is a must-use in the Pick 5. (7) LILYS PENELOPE is in sharp form and Coulter is a perfect partner for her. She is another contender to consider for the Pick 5.
Race 3 – (6) VEYRON just couldn’t get going last time racing a class higher after he started slowly from the second tier. He should have a better chance here and leave much better; top call. (1) CAVIARS TRIUMPH’s form has improved in the past two starts and he has added appeal with Coulter driving from the rail; using. (7) POWER AND GRACE has had a steady diet of Preferred 2 races on her card and if she blasts to the front here, she could be tough to catch.
Race 4 – (1) TWICE AN ANGEL faces easier here and from her rail draw she should get put into action early. She gets top billing vs. this group. (3) THATS MIA BAD has a strong win record and she could provide some multi-race value in this spot. (5) HOWMACFIESTY is worth a look for the exotics with Coulter driving her for the third time and her dropping in class.
Race 5 – (2) ENCARNACION got a needed clean line in a much tougher race now he faces horses that he should beat if he is close to his best. I’ll give him the nod hoping for a square price due to that 8th-place finish. (7) DONATO LANE qualified well for his first start in close to a year and he gets aggressive teamster Cullen. He can take these if he is ready to fire his best shot fresh. (9) TEARDOWN THIS WALL classes up well here and if he can get put into the race from this second tier post, he has a shot.
Race 6 – (3) SHOW ME SOME MAGIC gets Davis to drive and an inside post here and that should mean an aggressive try is coming; slight nod. (5) DAENERYS almost converted in her first start for Bourgault and she should be a speed threat again. (4) EATAAMS TRAUMA was stymied by a slow early pace last time and she still made a wide move late. She has a good shot in here. (8) KIWI FOCUS N is capable vs. these but from post 8 I will use her underneath. (9) DRY CREEK IMAGE adds Lasix and drops. She should improve enough to make it into the High-5.
Race 7 – (4) AMERICAN TOUR N should be good to go here making her second start off a vet scratch and she has a big shot to lead these all the way. (2) I WISH YOU WELL, with her nose back on the gate, should get positioned near the front early and she should be the main threat. (1) STYLE SNAPSHOT is another who should leave in the top flight and sit a good trip. She should be part of the Tri or Super.
Race 8 – (1) LDL GEM was an easy winner last time she raced this low three starts back and she will be tough to beat starting from the rail. (3) WARRAWEE SPEEDY should not get hung the mile this time and she can be an Exacta factor. (2) HYPNOTIC KEY couldn’t seal the deal last time, leaving her stuck on one win for 2020. She should be part of the Tri again.
Race 9 – (2) SOMEHOWSOMEDAY produced a huge win on closing day at Leamington considering he was parked uncovered every step of the mile until he surged ahead for good just past the 3/4 pole. This is tougher, but he might be up to it and his 8 to 1 morning line quote looks juicy for late Pick 4 tickets. (3) SHADOW OF LINDY has won two of the last three times he raced at Flamboro and he is in with a good shot here. (1) TWILITE ZONE has drawn poorly forever and you have to think he’ll contend here from the rail. He is another option with a race that on paper has several contenders.
Race 10 – (2) SPECTRUM SEELSTER won in fast time here last week at this level and he should be tough to beat right back here. (1) GIDDY UP MAX was solid racing first up and if he can blast and land in the choice’s pocket leaving the gate, he may upset. (3) SUMMERTIMECRUZIN got a horrendous trip from the 8-hole last week. He has some appeal for the exotics at a price here moving to a much better post.
Race 11 – (4) WELL ELL is a bit risky here coming off a break in stride but this is a field he could boss if he stays flat and he gets the nod. (3) STRATEGIC THINKING moves inside a couple of post positions and that should mean that he is closer early in the mile. That makes him a threat. (1) DONT ASK LOGAN is another who should get good position early and he will be more dangerous if he lands in the pocket. He’s the third one that I’ll use in the cash leg of the late Pick 4. (9) FREDS NIGHT should ride a good trip into a spot in the High-5. (2) G A SPEED GABY is another who should get good position early and take a small share.
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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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