Best Bet – (4) J P OSCAR – Race 10
Spot Play – (7) DREAM ALL NIGHT – Race 3
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1: 2,4,9/9/1,3,7/1,2,4/6,8 = $10.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 1,3,7/1,2,4/6,8/1,4 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 1,3,6/1,6/4/ALL = $9.60
Race 1 – (4) THERUBBERDUCKIE has improved at this conditioned claimer level and he has a chance to work himself out another nice trip tonight; call to repeat. (2) MACHED UP made a wide move in the fastest 1/4 of the race last week and he is one I can see improving sharply in this spot getting major post relief; price look. (9) CHUCK HEATON LOVE sports the best form but I don’t love the second tier post for him. I wouldn’t take a short price here.
Race 2 – (9) ELM GROVE LADYLUCK brushed and crushed here last week versus similar, and if she can get decent position early after leaving from the second tier, a repeat should be well within her scope. (3) TOBINS TERROR had an eventful trip and was set back from 3rd to 6th last time. She will be a threat here racing from close range. (2) DAENERYS is 0 for 2020 but her recent form is decent and starting from the inside this week she has some upset potential.
Race 3 – (7) DREAM ALL NIGHT faces easier here and she should have a big shot if she gets put into the race after starting from an outside post. (1) EVAS BEST GIRL chased a strong early pace last week and stuck around for a share. She fits well here and she should be a threat. (3) SO LONG SUGAR shoots for a fourpeat here and she is likely to close at a shorter price than her 8 to 1 morning line quote; using.
Race 4 – (2) RHYTHM SEELSTER is only 1 for 29 this year but she has been facing tougher and she gets post relief here too; slight nod in a tough race. This should be a good spot for (4) EATAAMS TRAUMA, in what appears to be an easier assignment, although the 33 flat kickers in her last two races are concerning here; mixed signals with this mare. (1) JOYFUL KATE is 0 for her last 56 with her most recent win coming on 10/25/18, but her recent form is good enough to make her a contender, and, if she were to get a perfect pocket trip…?
Race 5 – (6) BLAKES CHIP races off the fresh Bourgault claim and he could improve enough to beat these; top call. (8) SPECTRUM SEELSTER is on a roll and he is the obvious one to beat but post 8 could be the equalizer tonight. (1) SUNSHINE LOU should get another nice trip in this spot and he’s not out of this although he couldn’t catch Spectrum Seelster last week after sitting a perfect pocket trip.
Race 6 – (1) MA REBELLE has drawn poorly forever, until tonight, that is. I see her using rail control to work out a good trip racing near the front and I’ll give her the nod to upset (4) BLACKCREEK ROSEBUD who shoots for a fifth straight win and will have to be caught. (2) ROSELLA controlled the pace and dominated easier last time. I see her working out a following trip to take a share this time. (9) WINDSONG OLYMPIA is another who should be able to position herself in a nice following trip and land a spot in the High-5. (3) JUSTABIT MEAN is a good one to use in the bottom rungs of the High-5 in this field.
Race 7 – (4) CLUB BELVEDERE and (5) ZORGWIJK TIM could fight it out here facing what should be easier and I’ll give the nod to the former based on post position advantage. (8) HEINEKEN SEELSTER takes the biggest class drop but he draws the worst post. He isn’t impossible, but I’d need a price from out there.
Race 8 – (6) DON’T ASK LOGAN was lights out racing off the Riley claim and he gets the call to repeat despite drawing an outside post this time. (1) NOTETOSELF HANOVER faces easier and draws best. It’s unlikely that he closes with odds of anywhere close to the 10 to 1 morning line quote and he should be live in this spot. (3) BETTER THAN CASH typically races well from inside posts and he isn’t without a chance in this spot.
Race 9 – (6) KNIGHT ANGEL is in a spot where he should be tough to beat if he gets put into the race and he gets the nod despite leaving from the widest post. (1) SICARIO is always dangerous with his speed and his chances get upgraded if he catches a “fast” track tonight. (4) VEYRON did all the heavy lifting last week and ended up finishing 2nd. He should be good for another share tonight.
Race 10 – (4) J P OSCAR is in top form and his strong first-over winning effort last week sticks out. He’s a Pick 4 single for me. (3) GA SPEED GABBY is sure to be closer early moving inside five post positions and that makes him an Exacta factor. (1) TWILITE ZONE should work a following trip into a decent share this week.
Race 11 – This looks like a good spot for (2) OLE JACK MAGIC to stalk and pounce and I’ll give him the call to upset tonight. (1) KATCH KANNA is hot and he may work out another golden trip here. He is another who has a chance at a price. (8) POWER AND GRACE is obviously the best in this class right now but she drew well in her past three wins and it makes sense to try to beat her from the 8-hole tonight. (6) BASTIANO should get a spot near the front leaving and stick around for a share. (5) IN SECRET can be closer here if he finds a live helmet to follow this time; using underneath.
Photo by John Watkins
*
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.
More Tips from the Pros