Best Bet – (6) NIGHT WATCHMAN – Race 1
Spot Play – (3) MASSIVE POTENTIAL – Race 9
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1: 6/3,6,7,8/7,8/1,2/1 = $3.20
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 7,8/1,2/1/2,4,8 = $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 2,4,7/2,3,5/1,2,5/1,3 = $10.80
Race 1 – (6) NIGHT WATCHMAN will be tough as he looks for a repeat coming off a sharp win here last week and facing another field that he should be able to handle. (4) BETTER BE GOUDA gets post relief and he should be better positioned early in the mile. He should be an Exacta factor. (2) BETTER B SWIFT is another who figures to improve facing easier here although the way he stopped on 12/11 is a bit concerning; demand a price.
Race 2 – (3) MOXLEY has a good chance to make front early in this mile and that could lead to a wire-to-wire win; top call. (8) A GAME CHANGER comes off an improved effort from the 9-hole and he is another who might try to leave in this spot. Give him a price look. (6) HES GOT A VENDETTA has the best recent form but he is still looking for his second win so I couldn’t take a short price here.
Race 3 – (7) DAGGER WATCH has had little luck with the post draw in his Mohawk Park races and he could wake up in a big way here getting class relief. I’ll give him the nod over (8) FLASH TOTHE FINISH who gets Jamieson in the bike and should be aggressive from the start. (5) FINN T SEELSTER is good at landing shares, but he has had 14 tries already and I’ll play to beat him here.
Race 4 – (1) ATTHEBEACH HANOVER gets a rare rail draw here and he should be blasting off the gate looking to take advantage; top call. (2) POPLAR ARTIE is the other one in here that is getting major post relief. I see the race coming down to these two; using. (3) DRAMA LLAMA can go better here if he stays flat but I prefer to use him underneath.
Race 5 – (1) BURN OUT HANOVER faces much easier and draws best and he should be the one to catch. (3) R U TALKIN should improve in this spot and I’ll use him to round out the Exacta. (7) LYONS MUSIC re-rallied last week in a good effort and he should be in the exotics mix again.
Race 6 – (8) ASA ONAMISSION goes for the Gallant barn off the claim and he gets aggressive teamster Sorrie here. I’ll give him the nod despite drawing widest. (2) BL SUPER SALLY was a huge winner at this level two starts back and she’s hard to leave out of the Pick 4 dropping back down again. (4) HELLO CHIPPER gets out of the second tier this week and that gives her a chance against these. (3) Y S SUZANNE regularly finishes in the top five when she behaves and she should be part of the High-5 tonight if she stays flat. (6) LODI DORIAN BLUES comes off an improved effort; consider using underneath.
Race 7 – (3) IDEAL JET steps up but he should be the one to catch again as he has post position on his main rivals and I’ll give him the call to repeat. (6) JAY EYE EM is in terrific form and he should be a threat here despite drawing widest. (5) HES GOT SWAGGER comes in off a fast win one level lower but he may not be allowed to clear to the front this time; using underneath.
Race 8 – (2) OLD BUCK was a sharp winner here two starts back and he should be tough starting from an inside post. (4) ALWAYS N THE MONEY shows a few good efforts at this level and he should be the main rival to the choice; using. (7) HERCULE J M has Jamieson listed to drive and that makes him worthy of consideration for the late Pick 4.
Race 9 – (3) MASSIVE POTENTIAL is stuck on one win in 2020 but she has been sharp recently and drawn bad posts frequently. I’ll give her the nod to upset in this spot. (5) NORTHERN TAILWIND rode good cover to victory last week and he should be a threat here right back. (2) GUCCIOS OFFICE raced tough in defeat and he may be the one to catch again as they turn for home.
Race 10 – (5) THE DOWNTOWN BUS is a prime wakeup candidate in this spot and Jamieson is sure to put him into play early; top call. (1) TOOT TOOT N flashed early speed last week and from the rail he should orchestrate a good trip racing near the lead. He’s hard to leave off late Pick 4 tickets. (2) SIR PUGSLEY is another Mohawk Park shipper who figures to move up in this spot and he is worth a look for the Pick 4.
Race 11 – (3) PRESTIGE SEELSTER gamely chased the tough Ideal Jet in vain last week and he gets Jamieson for this. He may prove tough to catch. (1) MC PAT will find these easier and drawing best won’t hurt. He could reverse his tactics and try to go right down the road here. (2) SHADES OF BAY woke up last week with a much better effort and he can be a factor here despite moving up in class. (7) BET ON BRETT figures in here but he could get stung early from this post; using underneath. (5) BETTORS WESTERN rarely misses the top five; consider for High-5 bets.
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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