Best Bet – (1) SPECTRUM SEELSTER – Race 6
Spot Play – (2) IN SECRET – Race 7
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1: 5,7,9/1,4,5/3,6/2,3,4/1,2 = $21.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 3,6/2,3,4/1,2/1 = $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 3,4/1,3/2,7/1,7,8 = $4.80
Race 1 – (5) THERUBBERDUCKIE shows a race three starts back that likely would be good enough to win this and he gets post position advantage on his main rivals here. I’ll side with him expecting a good trip and a square price. (7) CHUCK HEATON LOVE is sure to get pointed to the front leaving the gate and he should be the one to catch. (9) EPIC PROPORTION is on a big roll but he may not get a very good start from the second tier and I’m not willing to take odds-on betting that he can win a fourth straight.
Race 2 – (5) ASBRAVEASMYMOMMA roared up late to beat easier last week and I’ll give her the call to repeat despite stepping up in class. (4) TAURIEL works hard every week and she should get put into the flow again tonight. She is on my Pick 5 ticket. (1) EVAS BEST GIRL raced much better in her second start back and from the rail she is another logical contender that is in with a decent chance.
Race 3 – (6) SEBASTIEN DUHARAS faces what should be an easier group here and I expect that he will get put into this race early. I’ll give him a slight nod in a tough race. (3) HLDONTHGTTOYURDRMS should improve in this second start over the track and he should be the one to catch. (1) TINAS MAJESTY figures to get a good following trip and land in the Tri.
Race 4 – (2) WINDSONG OLYMPIA gets a much better post draw here and she should be tough to beat vs. these. (4) JESSICAS LEGACY drops back down to the level she was claimed at and she can be a threat here. (3) DRY CREEK IMAGE is in the hunt every week and hot driver Sorrie – who notched a Grand Slam last night in London – is sure to put her into the race. She’s another in with a chance.
Race 5 – (1) VEYRON drops and he stands a good chance to pop drawing the rail here. (2) SICARIO is likely going to be the one to catch again and he could provide the choice with a perfect pocket trip tonight. He’s tough to leave off multi-race tickets. (4) OCEANVIEW DEB rarely misses the board and she’s a good one to include in the exotics wagers.
Race 6 – (1) SPECTRUM SEELSTER will be very hard to beat here from the rail, but he won’t offer a very big price, that’s for sure. (7) STRATEGIC THINKING comes off a very nice win but he is at a major post disadvantage here. I’ll use him on the bottom of this Exacta. (2) MAJOR ON THE BEACH should sit a nice trip and hang around for a share. (8) YARIS SEELSTER would be rated higher had he drawn better but from out there I can only use him on the bottom. (3) DENMARK SEELSTER should be good for another small share starting from the inside.
Race 7 – Post relief should be a difference maker for (2) IN SECRET but don’t expect to get the 8 to 1 morning line quote; top call. (4) POWER AND GRACE is in top form and she should be the main danger. (5) REFI will likely take plenty of action shipping in from Mohawk Park but how low of a price will you take on a horse that hasn’t been seen on the track since October 6th?
Race 8 – (4) P L LIGHTNING gets a second try at this bottom claiming level and she gets out of the second tier for tonight’s race. She should get a more aggressive steer here and she gets top call. (3) SOMEBEACHBYTHESEA is another who should improve with post relief and I’ll use her in the late Pick 4. (9) LADY OXFORD gets Hudon for a third drive in a row and I see her crashing the exotics at a price.
Race 9 – (1) DON’T ASK LOGAN faces much easier here racing off the claim and drawing the rail should make him tough vs. these. (3) MAINTENANCE MAN should be a front-end presence once again and his excellent gate speed makes him a threat; using. (9) MOSSIES ART raced tough on the rim in his first start off the claim and he’s not out of this but I prefer to use him underneath.
Race 10 – (7) NATES BUCKY continues to race well every week and he gets Hudon for this race which means aggression should be coming. (2) LITTLEBITASWAGGER is back where he fits best and the inside draw helps; using. (9) FACE OF WAR can close well on his best day and this might not be a bad post for him tonight; consider for the exotics.
Race 11 – (1) FIREBBY A is tough when she can control the pace and you know where she is heading leaving the gate. She may wire this group. (7) DON’T STOP BELIEVIN fits well here and I imagine she will also be aggressive at the start. She’s on my late Pick 4 ticket. (8) BETTOR TRIX N is one of the best mares in here but she gets stuck with the 8-hole tonight so I wouldn’t take a short price. (6) CUSTARD LITE comes off a strong effort against the choice and she should make it into the High-5. (4) SO LONG DARLING is another that fits well here but I’ll give her a start after missing four months.
Photo by John Watkins
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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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