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Garnet Barnsdale’s Flamboro Downs Selections: Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Bet Now > Tips from the Pros > Garnet Barnsdale’s Flamboro Downs Selections: Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Garnet Barnsdale’s Flamboro Downs Selections: Tuesday, December 15, 2020

December 15, 2020
By Garnet Barnsdale
Garnet Barnsdale’s Flamboro Downs Selections: Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Best Bet – (2) KIWI FOCUS N – Race 4
Spot Play – (6) YES – Race 7
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1: 5,6,7,8/2,3,5/1,4,5/1,2/3,7 = $28.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 1,4,5/1,2/3,7/4,5,6 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 2,7/1,4,9/2,4/1,5,7,8 = $9.60

 
Race 1 – (6) GROOGRUX KING had no luck racing at Mohawk Park but that company was likely too tough. I’ll give him a slight nod in a tough race to kick off the Pick 5. (5) STONEBRIDGE PONDER was right there at this level two starts back and if he stays flat this week, he should be one of the main contenders; using. (7) CATCHME IF LOU CAN comes off a nice effort, but he is still looking for his maiden win. I’d demand a price here.  
 
Race 2 – (3) COLD CREEK LACEY comes in off a strong first up win and she gets the call to repeat while she is hot. (5) TAURIEL has finished in the Exacta in three straight starts and she should be right there again vs. this group. (2) SO LONG SUGAR couldn’t fight off the choice last week but she is always dangerous with her good gate speed. She’s not out of this.   
 
Race 3 – (4) STOCK was a good third last week at this level considering he was parked a long way early in the mile. He can beat these if he gets a better trip. (5) J P OSCAR got going too late last week. He fits well here and he should be right there if he gets put into this race early enough. (1) MASTER SMILE raced decently off the Riley claim and he merits a Pick 5 look starting from the rail.
 
Race 4 – (2) KIWI FOCUS N got hammered here two starts back and just missed. She looks best and will likely offer another short price, but she should be tough to beat vs. these. (1) NO PANIC will be a big price here but she might be able to secure the pocket early so I’ll use her as a possible bomb on multi-race tickets. (4) BURN MY VILLA disappointed when dropped to this level last week. I’ll use her on the bottom tonight.
 
Race 5 – (7) NOTHING BUT MUSCLE was a winner last time he raced here and he stacks up well against this group. Post 7 will likely help keep his price viable; top call. (3) HALO ITS ME races best at Flamboro and she has James Macdonald listed to drive here. She could be the one to catch in this spot. (8) JUMPSHOT has been right there vs. better at Mohawk in several recent starts but I’d need a price to back him to win from the widest post.
 
Race 6 – (5) W C KENZIE COOKIE gets Macdonald listed here and with him in the bike there is no way she will go off anywhere close to her 8 to 1 morning line quote; top call. (4) ELM GROVE LADYLUCK made a big move two starts back to win and she has a much better chance here starting with her nose on the gate; using. (6) TOBINS TERROR comes off a win despite racing with broken equipment last week and she is right there every week. She’s sure to be a contender again tonight. (1) JUSTABIT MEAN figures to get a quicker start tonight and land a spot in the High-5. (9) DRY CREEK IMAGE rarely misses the top five and she should be in the mix here against this group.
 
Race 7 – (6) YES likely needed last week’s start where he raced decently coming off a 10-month layoff. Don’t be surprised if he gets sent right down the road tonight. (5) IN SECRET raced tough uncovered when finishing ahead of the choice and he should be the main threat. (7) REFI beat the top two choices last week but he loses post position advantage here. I’ll play to beat him.
 
Race 8 – (7) MONOPOLY goes for trainer Bourgault off the claim here after showing big early speed at Mohawk Park and he might be tough to catch tonight. (2) POLLAR HALL fits much better in this spot and he should get an aggressive steer from Richardson; using. (1) WAIKIKI HANOVER should be able to work out a decent trip here and finish in the Tri.  
 
Race 9 – (4) ASBRAVEASMYMOMMA was a huge winner last time she raced at this level three starts back and she could provide some nice late Pick 4 value being 12 to 1 in the morning line. (1) BRAONACH is in excellent form right now and she has to be afforded a chance starting from the rail. (9) MA REBELLE similarly is in sharp current form and she is another one in with a good shot here in a race with several live contenders.  
 
Race 10 – (4) TWIN B TIPSTER faces easier here and she should get put into play early by Cullen; top call. (2) YS TALLIA takes a similar drop but she has missed a month. I wouldn’t take a short price. (1) SIGNIFICANCE faces tougher here but with rail control in a small field, she is hard to leave out.  
 
Race 11 – (1) CHIEFS BEACH shows a wire-to-wire win here in October and starting from the rail and facing easier gives him a good chance to do it again; top call. (5) STRATEGIC THINKING was game in defeat last week and he should be right there tonight if he produces a similar effort. (8) SPECTRUM SEELSTER shoots for five wins in a row here and he overcame post 8 last week; using. (7) YARIS SEELSTER produced a nice late kick last week. He has upset possibilities tonight. (6) SUNSHINE LOU is in the mix every week and he should get a piece of this.

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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